Living Will Requirements in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has no living will statute; its statutory tool is the health care proxy, which must be signed in the presence of two adult witnesses.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Massachusetts at a glance
- Name of the document
- Health Care Proxy
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Notarization
- Optional
The rules in Massachusetts
What is a living will called in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, the document is called the Health Care Proxy.
Does a living will need witnesses in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires two witnesses.
Does a living will need to be notarized in Massachusetts?
No. Notarization is optional in Massachusetts.
Where do the Massachusetts rules for living wills come from?
They come from M.G.L. c. 201D, sec. 2. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Massachusetts compares
Massachusetts 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.