Utah Has a New Advance Health Care Directive Form — Download It Free

What Is an Advance Health Care Directive?

An Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) is a legal document that prepares for a situation most of us would rather not think about: end of life healthcare. This document also helps at other times when you cannot speak for yourself.

It does two distinct things:

• Designates a health care agent — a person you trust to communicate with doctors, consent to treatment, and make medical decisions on your behalf when you are unable to do so
• Records your own medical wishes — including your preferences about life-sustaining treatment, pain management, and end-of-life care

Without this document, medical providers must follow default legal protocols, and your family members — even your spouse — may have no clear legal authority to speak on your behalf or make decisions that reflect what you would actually want.

What Changed — Old Form vs. New Form

The previous Utah AHCD form had been in use for approximately 18 years. The new 2026 form represents the most significant update to the document in that time. Here is how the two compare:

Should You Update If You Already Have an Old Form?

Your existing Advance Health Care Directive is still valid. Utah law does not require you to redo it simply because a new form has been released. However, I recommend switching to the new 2026 form for one practical reason: the people who need to act on it.

When a medical emergency happens, doctors, nurses, and hospital staff need to understand your document quickly and act on it with confidence. As the new form becomes the standard, medical providers throughout Utah will be trained to recognize it and work with it. An older or non-standard form may cause confusion or delay at a moment when every minute counts.

The same principle applies to documents people have drafted themselves. While Utah law allows individuals to create their own health care directives, I recommend using the official state form precisely because it is what medical professionals will be expecting to see.

Why I'm Offering This for Free

I believe every person in Utah should have a completed Advance Health Care Directive — not just those who can afford to hire an attorney. This form is too important to remain out of reach for anyone.

So here is my offer, with no strings attached:

• Download the form free — no email address required, no account to create
• Get free help completing it — if you would like guidance filling out the form to make sure it accurately reflects your wishes, I will sit down with you at no charge. No obligation. No sales pitch.

Some of the people I help with this form later ask me to help with a broader estate plan — wills and trusts, power of attorney, and disability planning. That is entirely up to them. The help with the form is free either way.

What the Form Covers

The new Utah AHCD Form 2026 is designed to cover the full range of situations where someone might need to make medical decisions on your behalf. Completing it gives your health care agent the authority and guidance they need to act clearly and decisively, including:

• Who your designated health care agent is, and any alternate agents
• The scope of authority your agent has to make medical decisions
• Your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment under various conditions
• Your preferences about pain management and comfort care
• Your wishes regarding organ and tissue donation
• Any other personal health care preferences you want on record

The expanded scope of the new form means your agent has greater flexibility to respond to situations the document doesn't specifically anticipate — a meaningful improvement over the older, more restrictive version.

How to Complete the Form

The form is designed to be completed by any Utah adult. Here is the basic process:

1. Download the form using the button below
2. Choose your health care agent — the person you trust most to make medical decisions for you. Choose someone who knows you well, can handle stress, and will advocate for your wishes even under pressure
3. Fill out each section carefully, reflecting your actual wishes. Do not leave sections blank that apply to you
4. Sign in front of witnesses as required by Utah law
5. Give copies to your health care agent, your primary care physician, and anyone else who may need it
6. Keep the original somewhere accessible — not locked in a safe your family cannot open in an emergency

If you have any questions while completing the form, I am available to help at no charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to redo my directive if I already have one?+
  Your existing directive is still valid under Utah law. However, I recommend switching to the new 2026 form because doctors, nurses, and hospital staff will be trained on it — making it easier for them to act on your wishes quickly when it matters most.
• Who should I choose as my health care agent?+
  Choose someone who knows your values well, can handle difficult and emotional situations calmly, and will advocate for your wishes even if other family members disagree. This is often a spouse or adult child, but it does not have to be a family member. Whoever you choose should be willing to serve and should know where your completed form is kept.
• Can I fill out the form myself without an attorney?+
  Yes — you can download and complete the form on your own. If you would like guidance to make sure it reflects your wishes accurately and is completed correctly, Paul R. Maxfield offers free help filling out the new form with no obligation and no strings attached.
• Is the old Advance Health Care Directive form still legal in Utah?+
  Yes. The old form remains legally valid. However, as the new form becomes the standard, medical providers will be increasingly trained on it. Using the current official form reduces the chance of confusion or delay in an emergency.
• What is the difference between an AHCD and a power of attorney?+
  An Advance Health Care Directive covers medical decisions only. A durable power of attorney covers financial and legal matters — banking, real estate, taxes, and so on. A complete estate plan includes both documents, along with a will and a living trust. Together, these four documents ensure someone you trust can manage every area of your life if you become unable to.