Advance Directives & Legal Assistance

Planning for your future healthcare and connecting you with legal resources across the Midlands.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal questions, please consult an attorney or contact South Carolina Legal Services.

What Are Advance Directives?

Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to plan ahead for your healthcare decisions. They ensure that your wishes are known and respected if you become unable to communicate them yourself due to illness or injury.

Having advance directives in place reduces stress for your family, prevents conflicts, and gives you control over your medical care even when you cannot speak for yourself.

South Carolina Advance Directive Options

Healthcare Power of Attorney

A Healthcare Power of Attorney allows you to name a trusted person (your “agent”) to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. Your agent can talk with doctors, review medical records, and make treatment decisions based on your wishes and values.

Living Will (Declaration of a Natural Death)

A Living Will is a document that states your wishes about end-of-life medical treatment. In South Carolina, this is formally called a “Declaration of a Desire for a Natural Death.” It typically addresses situations such as:

  • Whether you want life-sustaining treatment if you are terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state
  • Artificial nutrition and hydration preferences
  • CPR and ventilator use

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order

A DNR is a medical order, signed by a physician, indicating that you do not want CPR performed if your heart stops or you stop breathing. This is different from a Living Will and requires a doctor’s signature.

Five Wishes

Five Wishes is an advanced directive document recognized in many states, including South Carolina, that covers personal, spiritual, and medical wishes. It is written in plain language and is legally valid when properly witnessed.

How We Can Help

  • Education: We provide workshops and one-on-one education about advance directives, what they mean, and how to complete them.
  • Forms: We can provide South Carolina-specific advance directive forms and help you understand how to fill them out.
  • Witnessing: In some cases, we can assist with finding appropriate witnesses for your documents.
  • Referrals: If you need legal advice or complex estate planning, we refer you to South Carolina Legal Services or a qualified elder law attorney.

Legal Assistance for Seniors

Through our partnership with South Carolina Legal Services, qualifying low-income seniors can receive free legal assistance with:

  • Advance directives and powers of attorney
  • Consumer protection issues
  • Housing and eviction defense
  • Public benefits (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, SNAP)
  • Simple wills and estate matters
  • Grandparent custody and kinship care
  • Elder abuse and financial exploitation

Contact SC Legal Services:
Free legal aid for qualifying seniors. Visit sclegal.org for online intake.

Elder Abuse & Vulnerable Adult Protection

If you suspect abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an older adult or vulnerable adult, it is important to report it. In South Carolina, the Department of Social Services investigates reports of abuse in the community. For abuse occurring in a long-term care facility, contact our Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

How to Get Started

Contact our Information & Referral line to learn about upcoming advance directive workshops or to request forms and guidance.

Contact Us Request a Callback

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