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Free Missouri Medical Power of Attorney Form

A Missouri medical power of attorney names the attorney in fact who makes health care decisions for you under the state's Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act. Build yours with our guided form, then take it to a notary.

  • Download as PDF and Word
  • E-sign included

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What Is a Medical Power of Attorney in Missouri?

Missouri calls this a durable power of attorney for health care, governed by RSMo §§ 404.800 to 404.865. The person you appoint is your attorney in fact, and the document must meet the state’s rules for durable powers of attorney.

Missouri Rules for a Durable Health Care Power

Missouri ties the health care document to its general durability rules in RSMo § 404.705.

Call It a Durable Power of Attorney

The document must be denominated a “Durable Power of Attorney.” It also needs statutory durability language showing it continues if you become disabled or incapacitated.

Sign, Date, and Acknowledge It

You sign and date your Missouri medical power of attorney. Missouri then requires it to be acknowledged in the manner prescribed for conveyances of real estate, which means before a notary.

No Recording Needed

A durable power of attorney does not have to be recorded to be valid between you, your attorney in fact, and third parties. Recording matters only for transactions affecting real estate.

Does a Missouri Medical Power of Attorney Need a Notary?

Yes. Missouri requires the acknowledgment used for real estate deeds, so plan on a notary. The statute does not offer a witness-only route for making the document durable.

If you already have an older document that was never notarized, have a local attorney review it before you rely on it.

Tube Feeding Needs Specific Words

Missouri requires you to specifically grant authority before your attorney in fact can direct a provider to withhold or withdraw artificially supplied nutrition and hydration. General language about “all health care decisions” is not enough for that power.

How to Sign Your Missouri Medical Power of Attorney

Get your Missouri medical power of attorney form ready with these steps:

  1. Title the document “Durable Power of Attorney” and include the durability statement.
  2. Name your attorney in fact and a successor.
  3. Decide whether to grant authority over tube feeding, and write it out specifically if so.
  4. Add any instructions or limits on treatment.
  5. Sign and date the document in front of a notary, who completes the acknowledgment.
  6. Give copies to your attorney in fact and your doctors.

What to Include in Your Missouri Form

The Act shapes a few key parts of the document. A Missouri medical power of attorney should include:

  • The “Durable Power of Attorney” title and durability language
  • Your attorney in fact and any successors
  • A specific grant, if you want one, covering artificially supplied nutrition and hydration
  • Any treatment preferences or limits

Missouri also sets two limits on your attorney in fact. No attorney in fact may, intending to cause death, authorize withdrawing food or water you can take through natural means. Your attorney in fact must also consider appropriate comfort measures.