Putting It In Writing First
ORS 127.510 and ORS 127.515 — an advance directive, signed and witnessed by two adults or notarized
A capable adult in Oregon may execute an advance directive, and may appoint a competent adult as health care representative to make health care decisions if the adult becomes incapable, with alternates who step in if the representative is unable, unwilling or unavailable. The appointment takes effect when the representative accepts it.
Two adult witnesses, or a notary. The form is signed and then either witnessed and signed by at least two adults or notarized. A witness may not be the person's attending physician or health care provider, or the person's health care representative or alternate. In a long term care facility, one witness has to be someone the facility designates who meets the state's qualifications.
Who may not serve. Unless related by blood, marriage or adoption, the person's attending physician or provider, or an owner, operator or employee of the facility where the person is a patient, may not be the representative, unless appointed before admission. A capable adult may also disqualify anyone, in a signed writing naming them.
Revoking it. A capable person may revoke an advance directive at any time and in any manner, and a decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining procedures may be revoked by any means the person can communicate. A newer advance directive revokes an older one unless it says otherwise.
An advance directive lasts until death or revocation unless it sets a shorter term, and stays in effect past that term while the person is incapable. The forms themselves, life-sustaining treatment rules and mental health declarations are in other sections. Drafting or challenging one is a matter for a licensed Oregon attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- ORS 127.510 — Appointment of health care representative and alternate health care representative
- ORS 127.515 — Execution
- ORS 127.520 — Persons not eligible to serve as health care representative
- ORS 127.545 — Revocation of advance directive or health care decision
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Oregon attorney.