title: Understanding advance directives and amendments to guardianship law.
abstract: In April, Pennsylvania became one of the last states in the country to statutorily recognize living wills. In addition, Pennsylvania guardianship statutes have been amended. This article describes those changes and informs physicians of their responsibilities when patients have executed living wills or when guardians have been appointed by the courts.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D007872:Legal Guardians / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016224:Living Wills / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010414:Pennsylvania