Medical Power of Attorney in Connecticut

Connecticut calls the health care agent a "health care representative." An adult appoints one in writing, signed and dated in front of two adult witnesses who also sign; the health care representative cannot be a witness. The statutory form allows the representative to make health care decisions, including decisions about life support, when the person cannot. Notarization is not required. The appointment can be combined with health care instructions (living will) and a designation of conservator in one document.

Any person 18 or older can sign a document with health care instructions (living will), appointment of a health care representative, designation of a future conservator and an anatomical gift. The statute provides optional forms. The document must be signed and dated by the person in the presence of two adult witnesses, who also sign; the person named as health care representative cannot be a witness. Extra witness rules apply to residents of certain state-licensed mental health and developmental services facilities. Notarization is not required.

Connecticut calls a living will a document of "health care instructions." Any person 18 or older can sign one, alone or combined with an appointment of a health care representative, designation of a future conservator, and anatomical gift. The statute provides optional forms. The document must be signed and dated by the person in the presence of two adult witnesses, who also sign; the person named as health care representative cannot be a witness. Extra witness rules apply to residents of certain state-licensed mental health and developmental services facilities. Notarization is not required.

Connecticut has two statutory financial forms: the "Durable Statutory Power of Attorney - Short Form" and the "Durable Statutory Power of Attorney - Long Form" (Conn. Gen. Stat. 1-352(a)). A power of attorney must be dated, signed by the principal (or by another person in the principal's conscious physical presence at the principal's direction), and witnessed by two witnesses; the signature is presumed genuine if acknowledged before a notary public, commissioner of the Superior Court or other authorized person (1-350d), and the statutory forms include a notary acknowledgment block. For health care, Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-575a provides a combined form for health care instructions, appointment of a health care representative, designation of a conservator for future incapacity and anatomical gift; any adult may sign and date it in the presence of two adult witnesses who also sign, and the person appointed as representative may not be a witness (19a-576(a)).