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An advance directive is a legal document through which you provide your directions or wishes as to your medical care should you become unable to make or communicate your decisions about your medical treatment. Under Connecticut law, there are two types of advance directives, advance health care directives or health care directives. Connecticut law also permits individuals to appoint a health care representative, make wishes known about end-of-life decisions, donate anatomical gifts, and designate a conservator.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES?
A living will is a document that states whether you wish to have life sustaining procedures or treatment administered should you be in a terminal condition or permanently unconscious. The living will tells your physician whether you want “life support systems” to keep you alive in these situations or whether you do not want to receive such treatment, even if the result is your death. A living will goes into effect only (1) when you are unable to make or communicate your decisions about your medical care and (2) when you are in a terminal condition or permanently unconscious. A health care agent makes all health care decisions including the decision to provide, withhold, or withdraw life support systems. The agent cannot make decisions for certain specific treatments which by law have special requirements. A health care agent does not act unless you are unable to make or communicate your decisions about your medical care.
HOW DO I MAKE AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE?
For additional information visit the Mayo Clinic website here: Living wills and advance directives for medical decisions – Mayo Clinic
For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Advance Directives and Health Care Planning, visit the CTLAWHelp.org site.
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SOURCE: Health Issues, Office of the Connecticut Attorney General; CTLawHelp.org
PREPARED BY: 211/ch
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: November2025