1. Durable power of attorney
This document generally goes into effect immediately, gives you and your spouse the authority to manage each other's financial if one of you becomes incapacitated. Adult children or a trusted friend can also hold your power of attorney.
You can order the form from an online legal site such as Nolo.com, for about $60. Or you can use an estate planning attorney to create one.
2. Health care proxy or health care power of attorney
This document gives you and your spouse the right to make medical decisions for each other - or you can give other family members the right to make medical decisions for each of you.
3. Medical information release
This form gives doctors permissions to share your spouse's medical records with you. There is no standaridized medical release form, so you should get one form from your doctors or hospital.
4. Living will
This document lets you and your spouse provide written guidance on what kind of treatment each of you wants or doesn't want -during a terminal illness.
One-stop place to get these forms
- Fivewishes.org: you can find a form that serves as both a healthcare power of attorney and living will, acceptable at 44 states and the District of Columbia.
- Americanbar.org: if the above form doesn't meet your state's requirement, you can find free resource at this site, search for "giving someone power of attorney for your health care".
- Caringinfo.org: you can find a state-specific living will form at this site.