Please allow me to respectfully disagree, in part. Low cost or free legal services are often excellent, if you can find them. They often use a sliding scale fee based on income, and please don't think the quality of legal services available there is necessarily less than that available at some high dollar firm. Often, they are far better than some junior associate that you might see at such a firm.

But, as for hospital legal departments, I'd think there may be a potential conflict of interest there. Health care institutions aren't generally in the business of providing legal advice to the public or patients. Their attorneys are ethically bound to represent the interests of their employers only. So I would not count on them for legal advice, and I disagree that they are likely to be the most proficient in this particular area of law, judging by some of the work product I've seen. Moreover, I'd like to hear of it if any hospital is providing such legal advice to patients.

However, hospitals usually do have forms available, without advice, for patients to use. Often, the forms available from various sources can entirely meet the needs of some folks, but sometimes not. I haven't looked at many of the on-line sources lately, but I'm told some of them are excellent, as are some from elder or medically oriented charities. Heresy, I know, but you don't actually need a lawyer for everything.

Also, please be aware that no one can be compelled to provide or sign any such document as a condition of medical treatment or admisssion to a hospital or nursing home. I've known occasions where patients were told or led to believe otherwise.

Nothing in my posts is intended to be legal advice, and is presented for discussion purposes only. Consult an attorney for legal advice specific to your circumstances.

Jeff