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A service of the office of Nevada Secretary of State, Ross Miller

www.LivingWillLockbox.com

What is an Advance Directive?

An advance directive, also known as a “living will”, is a document through which you

provide instructions about your health care wishes during times when you are physically

or mentally unable to express those wishes. It is called an “advance” directive because

you make the medical decision for yourself before you become seriously ill. Some

examples of advance directives include living wills and durable power of attorney for

health care decisions.

An advance directive can provide very specific instructions for end-of-life care and is an

opportunity to tell health care professionals and family members what you want as far as

life sustaining or other treatment. When health care professionals and others do not

have access to a living will or advance directive, they may not know a patient’s wishes.

What is the Living Will Lockbox?

The Living Will Lockbox is a secure, virtual lock box in which Nevadans can file certain

directives, including living wills, powers of attorney, and “do not resuscitate” (DNR)

orders for access by designated health care professionals, and family when medical

treatment decisions must be made.

Established by the 2007 Nevada State Legislature, the Living Will Lockbox was developed

and will be maintained by the office of Secretary of State Ross Miller and there is no cost

to file with the Lockbox.

How do I create my Advance Directive?

While many of these documents may be completed with

the assistance of an attorney,

there are other ways to prepare your own advance directives.

The following organizations can provide assistance or guidance:

• Nevada Center for Ethics and Health Policy: (775) 327-2309 - www.HealthEthics.org

• Nathan Adelson Hospice: (702) 733-0320 - www.nah.org/advanced_directives.cfm

• AARP: 1-866-389-5652

http://assets.aarp.org/external_sites/caregiving/end/advance_directives.html

How do I register my Advance Directive with the Lockbox?

Once you have advance directives documents, you can obtain a registration agreement

from the office of the Secretary of State or online at www.livingwilllockbox.com.

Mail or FAX a copy

of the living will or advance directive and the signed completed

registration agreement to: the Living Will Lockbox - 101 N. Carson Street Suite 3,

Carson City, NV 89701. FAX: (775) 684-7177.

7 to 10 days after filing, you will receive a letter confirming that the documents have

been securely filed. You will also receive a registration number on a wallet-size card and

instructions for accessing the Lockbox, viewing the documents and making changes.

A service of the office of Nevada Secretary of State, Ross Miller

www.LivingWillLockbox.com

Can I change my Advance Directive once it has been registered

with the Lockbox?

You may revoke, replace, edit, or delete all or part of your documents filed with the

Lockbox. To make changes, simply notify the Lockbox by submitting an Authorization to

Change form or mail or fax a copy of a newly executed Advance Directive form along with

the Authorization to Change Form.

How will my health care provider know if I have an Advance

Directive stored in the Lockbox?

It is important to notify family members and health care professionals that you have an

advance directive/living will. Share your wallet card registration number with your loved

ones, attorney, and/or health care professionals. Be sure to let them know of any updates

in your documents ranging from a simple change of address to a new living will or advance

directive. As the registrant you are responsible for ensuring that your registration

number is shared only with people who you want to be able to access your

Lockbox file.

Your health care provider may already have access to the Lockbox and documents as an

Authorized Provider. Authorized Providers may access the Lockbox through their own

registration and have secure access to the registry and can therefore immediately determine

if a patient has a document registered with the Lockbox. Be sure to check with your health

care provider to see if they are an Authorized Provider.

Is the Living Will Lockbox a secure system?

The Living Will Lockbox is an access-protected, secure electronic filing system and accessible

only by authorized healthcare providers and to people whom you give your Lockbox

registration password. However, if you do not want to file your advance directive/living will

with the Lockbox, you can complete an Advance Directive Locator form. The Advance

Directive Locator is then electronically stored in lieu of the actual living will/advance

directive, and provides the physical location of these documents, without providing the

actual content.

Please note that using the Advance Directive Locator may, in some cases, delay important

health care decisions until such time as the actual documents are located.