Full question:
Sue wishes to donate some or all of her organs to science or an individual when she dies, but she is unsure of the procedure to make her wishes known in the event of her death. What are the the possible ways that Sue can document her decision to be an organ donor?
- Category: Power of Attorney
- Subcategory: Advanced Health Care Directive
- Date:
- State: Alabama
Answer:
There are several ways to indicate your desire to be an organ donor:
(1) Many states allow you to make the designation with your driver's license application or renewal, and the information is printed on your license.
(2) The designation may be made in a will, though it is generally discouraged, since the wishes may not be noticed until it is too late to donate the organs.
(3) Your wishes may be expressed in an advance health care directive (power of attorney for healthcare or a living will).
(4) A specific donor card or form as required by your state
Because some states do require that specific forms be completed, it is a good idea to contatct a local hospital, your health care provider, or you state's organ donation organization to be certain that you have complied with all the requirements.
Once you have taken care of the documentation, you should provide a copy of the documentation to your healthcare provider and the hospital as part of your medical records. You should also inform your family of your decision. It will be much more likely that your wishes are followed if family members are aware.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.
