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Your Healthcare Power of Attorney
Your next of kin is who hospitals turn to when you can't speak for yourself. If you haven't named anyone, the law picks from a set list: legal spouse, adult children, parents, siblings. Naming your person means YOU decide.
5 Simple Steps to Choose Your NOK
1
CHOOSE YOUR PERSON
Someone who can speak for you, handle pressure, and honor your wishes even if they'd choose differently. Talk to them first, since that conversation matters as much as the form.
2
WRITE IT DOWN
It can be any piece of paper. Name your person, state that they're your healthcare decision maker, and sign it. Or download and print our free card, designed to be quick and kept in your wallet.
3
MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Sign it in front of either two witnesses or a notary. That's it. Notarization is often free at your bank or library.
4
MAKE COPIES
Snap a photo and share it with your person and your doctor. If your card is the original, don't let your wallet be the only place it lives.
5
REGISTER IT WITH NEVADA LOCKBOX
Free, secure storage through the Secretary of State. Hospitals can access it when it counts, even if your card can't be found.
This guide is based on Nevada, US law. If you live somewhere else, your state's requirements may differ.
FAQs
Yes. If you're 18 or older, you can use a healthcare power of attorney to choose someone you trust to make healthcare decisions if you can't make them yourself.
Your person does not have to be your legal next of kin.
You get to choose your person.
You can choose a trusted adult who knows what you want and will speak up for you. This could be a spouse, partner, family member, friend, or chosen family. They do not have to live in Nevada or nearby.
Nevada has some rules about who can serve.
If you don't choose someone, Nevada law may determine who can make certain healthcare decisions for you. That may not be the person you would choose.
Who knows what you want and can speak up for you when you can't?
Yes. You can change your person and name backup people who can step in if your first choice can't or won't serve.
Your healthcare power of attorney does not expire just because time passes. It usually stays in place until you cancel it, it reaches an end date you chose, or it ends for another reason under Nevada law.
Review it when your life or relationships change.
You are still in charge while you can make your own healthcare decisions.
Your document explains when your person can act for you.
Choosing your person does not mean giving up control of your healthcare.
No. Know Your NOK provides our services at no cost.
We believe everyone should be able to choose their person, no matter their ability to pay.
If you can, a donation helps us keep it that way. Donations help pay for documents, wallet cards, notary services, and community outreach.
Help keep Know Your NOK free and accessible → Donate
You do not need a lawyer to complete a standard Nevada healthcare power of attorney.
In Nevada, your signature must be notarized OR witnessed by two adults - not both. Your witnesses cannot be people you name as your healthcare agents. Special witness rules apply if you live in an assisted living facility or nursing home.
If your situation is more complicated, a lawyer can help.
They do different things.
A healthcare power of attorney says: Who do I trust to make healthcare decisions for me?
A living will says: What kind of care would I want-or not want?
Many people choose both.
Talk about it. Share it. Make sure it can be found.
Know Your NOK will give you at least one copy of your completed document to take with you. A second copy is available if you'd like one.
Keep your document somewhere easy to find. Talk with your person about what matters to you and make sure they know where to find it. You may also want to give a copy to your person or healthcare provider.
Your document can only help if people know it exists.
The Nevada Lockbox is a free, secure online place to store a copy of your healthcare document. It helps healthcare providers find your document when you need it.
Know Your NOK can help you submit your document. We'll also give you a wallet-sized card with information about your person and the Nevada Lockbox.
Keep your card in your wallet so it's easy to find in an emergency.
Learn more: Nevada Lockbox
We're here to help. Have a question, need help understanding your options, or not sure what to do next?