Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) Competent principal.--A principal of sound mind may countermand any health care decision made by the principal's health care agent at any time and in any manner by personally informing the attending physician or health care provider.
(b) Incompetent principal.--Regardless of the principal's mental or physical capacity, a principal may countermand a health care decision made by the principal's health care agent that would withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment at any time and in any manner by personally informing the attending physician.
(c) Attending physician.--The attending physician or health care provider shall make reasonable efforts to promptly inform the health care agent of a countermand under this section.
(d) Health care agent.--A countermand exercised under this section shall not affect the authority of a health care agent to make other health care decisions in accordance with the health care power of attorney.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Pennsylvania Statutes Title 20 Pa.C.S.A. Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries § 5457. Countermand - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-20-pacsa-decedents-estates-and-fiduciaries/pa-csa-sect-20-5457/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)