Power of Attorney in North Carolina – Protect Your Decisions, Stay in Control
What Is an Advance Directive (Living Will) in North Carolina?
An advance directive—often called a living will—lets you state what medical care you do or do not want if you can’t communicate for yourself. This document guides doctors and relieves your loved ones from agonizing over what you’d want in a crisis, such as a severe accident, terminal illness, or advanced dementia. In North Carolina, you can make clear choices about life support, tube feeding, or other interventions—putting your values in writing before a decision is ever needed. Capital City Law helps clients across Raleigh, Holly Springs, Wake Forest, Greensboro, and beyond prepare legally valid advance directives and living wills so your voice is always heard.
Support Through Difficult Decisions
Clarity in Crisis
An advance directive makes sure your wishes—not someone else’s guesses—guide your care if you can’t speak for yourself.
Relief for Families
By making choices now, you spare your loved ones from making impossible decisions under stress. Many clients find peace knowing they’ve lifted this burden from their family.
Guidance for Every Scenario
Whether it’s a coma, terminal condition, or end-stage illness, your living will provides direction to your care team and loved ones.
Local Know-How
We’re familiar with hospital policies and can advise you on sharing your directive with WakeMed, UNC Healthcare, and other local providers.
Early Warning Signs People Miss
Waiting until illness or old age—advance directives are for adults of any age.
Confusing a living will with a healthcare power of attorney (you may need both).
Using generic online forms that don’t meet NC’s legal standards for witnesses and notarization.
Not sharing copies with doctors, hospitals, or trusted family members.
Forgetting to review and update directives after life changes or new diagnoses.
How to Decide and Communicate Your Wishes
01.
Living Will vs. Healthcare Proxy (POA)
A living will spells out your care choices, such as whether you want life support or tube feeding under certain conditions. A healthcare power of attorney appoints someone to make decisions for you if you can’t—often used together for full coverage.
02.
NC Requirements and Forms
North Carolina’s Advance Directive for a Natural Death (“Living Will”) must be signed, witnessed, and notarized. We handle all details so your directive meets state requirements and is accepted by hospitals.
03.
Including DNRs and Medical Orders
We’ll discuss the difference between a living will and a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. Both are important, but serve different purposes—your living will guides broader end-of-life care, while DNR is a specific doctor’s order.
04.
Compassionate Guidance
Our attorneys walk you through tough questions, explain your options in plain language, and support you in documenting clear, unambiguous wishes. All advance directive services are included in your estate plan at a flat fee.
Get Clear, Personalized Help With Your Advance Directive
Most clients come to us after realizing how difficult medical decisions can be for families. We’ll make the conversation easier than you expect—often finished in a single meeting—and ensure your wishes are respected. You’ll feel relief knowing your choices are in writing and your family is protected from uncertainty.
What to Expect From Start to Finish
From your first meeting, we explain every aspect of advance directives and living wills, answer your questions, and help you articulate your values and wishes. We prepare all paperwork, ensure proper witnessing and notarization per NC law, and guide you on sharing your directive with doctors and hospitals—like WakeMed, UNC Healthcare, and Cone Health. If you ever want to change your decisions, we make updates simple and stay available for ongoing support. Every step is handled with empathy and clarity.
Your Questions, Answered Clearly
Can my family override my living will?
Generally, no. As long as your living will is legally valid and properly executed, healthcare providers in NC will follow it, even if family members disagree.
What’s the difference between a living will and a DNR order?
A living will covers broader end-of-life care decisions, such as life support and tube feeding. A DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order is a medical directive for emergency responders not to perform CPR.
Do I need a lawyer to make an advance directive in NC?
While you can use state forms, a lawyer ensures your directive is clear, valid, and fits with your overall estate plan. This avoids mistakes and ensures acceptance by hospitals.
Where should I keep my living will and who should get copies?
Keep the original in a safe but accessible place, and give copies to your doctor, hospital, and key family members. We can help you make sure it’s filed correctly.
Can I change my advance directive later?
Yes, you can revise or revoke your advance directive any time you wish—just be sure to sign, witness, and share the new document.
Compassion Now, Comfort Later—Plan Your Living Will Today
Talking about end-of-life care is never easy, but planning ahead brings clarity, comfort, and control. Capital City Law provides compassionate guidance and legally sound advance directives for clients in Raleigh, Holly Springs, Wake Forest, Greensboro, and throughout North Carolina. Schedule your consultation and ensure your voice is heard—no matter what tomorrow brings.
