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Advance care directive; information on drawing it up
Anyone can use a care directive to make precautionary arrangements for a later care case.
Forms
Forms
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Formular zur BetreuungsverfügungDas Bayerische Staatsministerium der Justiz bietet ein Musterformular einer Betreuungsverfügung als PDF-Dokument an. Nach dem Herunterladen kann das Formular ausgedruckt, ausgefüllt und unterschrieben werden.
This form can be submitted electronically (e.g. via a secure contact form using your user account with login via the electronic ID function or the ELSTER certificate) or handwritten and signed in paper form to the responsible authority.
Responsible for you
For contact details of the responsible authoritiy and local valid information select under "Select location" a location.
Procedure details
Description
If you are no longer able to manage all or part of your affairs as a result of an accident or illness, or due to declining mental capacity in old age, and you have not granted a power of attorney, it may be necessary to appoint a legal representative ("guardian") for you. In this case, the court will hear you as part of the guardianship proceedings on the question of who you would like as your guardian, among other things. If you are no longer able to make a statement, the court must take into account the wishes you have previously expressed. This is best done in a written advance care directive, also known as a "care directive". In it, you can specify who should be your guardian. However, you can also specify who should not be considered as a caregiver under any circumstances.
In addition to any wishes regarding the person of the caregiver, you have the option of specifying further requirements for a later care case in a care directive. For example, you can make instructions on the following questions:
- Do I want to maintain my standard of living in the event of care? Should my assets be used up if necessary?
- Do I want to live in a particular home if I have to go into care?
- Who would I like to be looked after by in the event of needing care?
However, these are only suggestions. Your individual situation is decisive.
You can find more details and the form for the care directive in the information brochure "Precautions for accidents, illness and old age" (see "Further links").
Requirements
For reasons of proof alone, the care directive should be drawn up in writing and signed by you with the place and date.
You can register a care directive for a fee with the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney of the Federal Chamber of Notaries (see "Further links").
Legal bases
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§§ 1814, 1821 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)Bestellung eines rechtlichen Betreuers
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§ 1816 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)Betreuungswünsche, Betreuungsverfügung
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§§ 78a ff. BundesnotarordnungZentrales Vorsorgeregister
Related links
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Zentrales Vorsorgeregister (ZVR)Das Zentrale Vorsorgeregister (ZVR) ist die Registrierungsstelle für private sowie notarielle Vorsorgevollmachten, Betreuungsverfügungen und Patientenverfügungen aus dem ganzen Bundesgebiet.
Related issues
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Supervision; information on official supervisionThe guardianship authority can be appointed as a guardian by the guardianship court itself under strict conditions.
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Living will; information on stipulations
In a living will, you can set out your wishes in writing in advance regarding the type and manner of medical treatment in the event of your own incapacity to make decisions.
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Legal support; submission of a proposal for appointment
The legal institution of guardianship exists for adults who, due to illness or disability, are unable to manage all or part of their own affairs.
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Lasting power of attorney; information on drawing it up
With a power of attorney, you can make provisions in the event that you are no longer able to manage your own affairs, for example as a result of an accident or illness.
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Lasting power of attorney and care directive; application for registration in the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney
If you have set up a power of attorney/advance care directive, you can have it registered in the Central Register of Advance Powers of Attorney of the Federal Chamber of Notaries. This will ensure that the court (or a doctor) knows about this precautionary document if necessary.
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Lasting powers of attorney and care directives; application for certificationYou can have your signature or a hand mark on a health care proxy or care directive publicly notarized.
Status: 10.04.2026
Editorially responsible for procedure description:
Bayerisches Staatsministerium der Justiz (Bavarian State Ministry of Justice)
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