Living Will Requirements in Maine
In Maine an individual health care instruction may be oral or written, while a power of attorney for health care must be in writing and signed by the principal and two witnesses in person.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Maine at a glance
- Name of the document
- Advance Health Care Directive
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Notarization
- Optional
The rules in Maine
What is a living will called in Maine?
In Maine, the document is called the Advance Health Care Directive.
Does a living will need witnesses in Maine?
Maine requires two witnesses.
Does a living will need to be notarized in Maine?
No. Notarization is optional in Maine.
Where do the Maine rules for living wills come from?
They come from 18-C M.R.S. 5-803 Advance health care directives. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Maine compares
Maine is one of 25 jurisdictions that make notarization optional.
What this means in practice
Give copies to your doctor, your health care agent and close family, and keep the original where it can be found quickly. A living will that nobody can find cannot help.
Many states have rules about who may serve as a witness, for example excluding relatives or your health care providers. Check the statute before you sign.
Review the document after a major diagnosis, a move to another state or a change in your wishes.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.