Overview

• The Verbraucherzentrale publishes a paid Vorsorge-Handbuch with step-by-step instructions, detachable forms and legally vetted text modules for patients’ directives, powers of attorney, care directives, wills and digital estate clauses.
• The Deutsches Institut für Altersvorsorge provides a free Vorsorgemappe eBook via V-CHECK that includes templates for Patientenverfügung, Vorsorgevollmacht, Betreuungsverfügung as well as account and securities powers of attorney, plus checklists and filling aids.
• Experts stress that a Patientenverfügung must specify concrete medical measures to be binding, since general statements are not sufficient under German law.
• Without these documents, doctors follow general medical standards, relatives lack automatic decisional authority and courts may appoint a legal guardian.
• Guidance recommends secure storage in an emergency folder with a wallet card and optional registration in the Zentrales Vorsorgeregister to improve discoverability, with periodic reviews to keep documents current.