Florida § 765.203 - Suggested form of designation.

Full text of Florida Florida Statutes § 765.203 — Suggested form of designation., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 765.203. Suggested form of designation.

A written designation of a health care surrogate executed pursuant to this chapter may, but need not be, in the following form: DESIGNATION OF HEALTH CARE SURROGATE I, (name) , designate as my health care surrogate under s. 765.202, Florida Statutes: Name: (name of health care surrogate) Address: (address) Phone: (telephone) If my health care surrogate is not willing, able, or reasonably available to perform his or her duties, I designate as my alternate health care surrogate: Name: (name of alternate health care surrogate) Address: (address) Phone: (telephone) INSTRUCTIONS FOR HEALTH CARE I authorize my health care surrogate to: (Initial here) Receive any of my health information, whether oral or recorded in any form or medium, that: 1. Is created or received by a health care provider, health care facility, health plan, public health authority, employer, life insurer, school or university, or health care clearinghouse; and 2. Relates to my past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition; the provision of health care to me; or the past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care to me. I further authorize my health care surrogate to: (Initial here) Make all health care decisions for me, which means he or she has the authority to: 1. Provide informed consent, refusal of consent, or withdrawal of consent to any and all of my health care, including life-prolonging procedures. 2. Apply on my behalf for private, public, government, or veterans’ benefits to defray the cost of health care. 3. Access my health information reasonably necessary for the health care surrogate to make decisions involving my health care and to apply for benefits for me. 4. Decide to make an anatomical gift pursuant to part V of chapter 765, Florida Statutes. (Initial here) Specific instructions and restrictions: While I have decisionmaking capacity, my wishes are controlling and my physicians and health care providers must clearly communicate to me the treatment plan or any change to the treatment plan prior to its implementation. To the extent I am capable of understanding, my health care surrogate shall keep me reasonably informed of all decisions that he or she has made on my behalf and matters concerning me. THIS HEALTH CARE SURROGATE DESIGNATION IS NOT AFFECTED BY MY SUBSEQUENT INCAPACITY EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN CHAPTER 765, FLORIDA STATUTES. PURSUANT TO SECTION 765.104, FLORIDA STATUTES, I UNDERSTAND THAT I MAY, AT ANY TIME WHILE I RETAIN MY CAPACITY, REVOKE OR AMEND THIS DESIGNATION BY: (1) SIGNING A WRITTEN AND DATED INSTRUMENT WHICH EXPRESSES MY INTENT TO AMEND OR REVOKE THIS DESIGNATION; (2) PHYSICALLY DESTROYING THIS DESIGNATION THROUGH MY OWN ACTION OR BY THAT OF ANOTHER PERSON IN MY PRESENCE AND UNDER MY DIRECTION; (3) VERBALLY EXPRESSING MY INTENTION TO AMEND OR REVOKE THIS DESIGNATION; OR (4) SIGNING A NEW DESIGNATION THAT IS MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THIS DESIGNATION. MY HEALTH CARE SURROGATE’S AUTHORITY BECOMES EFFECTIVE WHEN MY PRIMARY PHYSICIAN DETERMINES THAT I AM UNABLE TO MAKE MY OWN HEALTH CARE DECISIONS UNLESS I INITIAL EITHER OR BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING BOXES: IF I INITIAL THIS BOX [ ], MY HEALTH CARE SURROGATE’S AUTHORITY TO RECEIVE MY HEALTH INFORMATION TAKES EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. IF I INITIAL THIS BOX [ ], MY HEALTH CARE SURROGATE’S AUTHORITY TO MAKE HEALTH CARE DECISIONS FOR ME TAKES EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. PURSUANT TO SECTION 765.204(3), FLORIDA STATUTES, ANY INSTRUCTIONS OR HEALTH CARE DECISIONS I MAKE, EITHER VERBALLY OR IN WRITING, WHILE I POSSESS CAPACITY SHALL SUPERSEDE ANY INSTRUCTIONS OR HEALTH CARE DECISIONS MADE BY MY SURROGATE THAT ARE IN MATERIAL CONFLICT WITH THOSE MADE BY ME. SIGNATURES: Sign and date the form here: (date) (sign your name) (address) (print your name) (city) (state) SIGNATURES OF WITNESSES: First witness Second witness (print name) (print name) (address) (address) (city) (state) (city) (state) (signature of witness) (signature of witness) (date) (date)

Source: official Florida text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida § 765.203

What does Florida Statutes § 765.203 cover?

Section 765.203 ("Suggested form of designation.") is part of the Florida Statutes, the codified statutory law of Florida. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Florida § 765.203?

A common citation format is "Florida Statutes § 765.203" (Florida). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Florida law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Florida official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Florida attorney.

How does Florida § 765.203 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Florida can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Florida.