Advance medical directive is a broad term covering the desire's of an individual in terms of medical treatment. Advance medical directives cover three areas: living wills, healthcare power of attorney or proxy, and durable power of attorney. These are important decisions that should be carefully weighed, put in writing and filed with the hospital, clerk of court and personal files of the individual. These documents define treatment options desired should a traumatic medical event occur where the individual is unable to communicate their wishes, define and appoint an individual to make health care decisions for them should they not be able to and to execute legal documents in their absence during medical emergencies. Without an advance medical directive individuals are left to the devices of the doctors, state laws or relatives who may not know what the true wishes of the individual are for certain circumstances.