If you’ve ever felt confused by the alphabet soup of medical decision-making documents — DNR, Living Will, Advance Directive, Catholic Directive — you’re in good company. Even highly educated adults mix these up, especially when Missouri and Kansas insist on having different rules.
So let’s break this down in a way that’s clear, useful, and even a little entertaining.
Why This Topic Matters (And Why Most People Avoid It)
Before we get into state differences, here’s a fun fact (and “fun” is doing heavy lifting here):
Only 37% of U.S. adults have any type of advance directive.
Only 29.3% have a living will.
Meaning 2 out of 3 people have nothing in writing about their medical wishes.
That’s a lot of guesswork for families and doctors — and the worst time to guess someone’s wishes is in a hospital room under stress.
So if you’ve been avoiding these documents, congratulations, you’re statistically normal.
But “normal” doesn’t mean “prepared.”
DNR vs. Living Will vs. Catholic Directive: What’s What?
1. DNR (Do Not Resuscitate Order)
A DNR is specifically about CPR.
It’s not about comfort care, feeding tubes, or anything else.
Just CPR.
Key points:
It is a medical order, not an estate planning document.
Must be signed by a physician.
Missouri and Kansas each have their own official DNR forms.
Typically used when someone has a serious medical condition — not something most healthy adults need.
Think of it as the “No CPR, thank you” document.
2. Living Will / Advance Directive
This document answers the big medical questions:
Do I want life support?
Under what circumstances?
Should I receive artificial nutrition or hydration?
How aggressive should treatment be if recovery is unlikely?
It only applies if you are:
Permanently incapacitated, and
At the end of life.
Kansas vs. Missouri Differences
Kansas:
Provides a clean, statutory form.
Very plug-and-play.
Missouri:
Provides “flexibility,” which is lawyer-speak for “You really want this drafted properly so it doesn’t work against you.”
The language must be extremely clear to ensure enforcement.
A Living Will works together with your Health Care Power of Attorney, the person who speaks for you when you can’t.
3. Catholic Advance Directive
For clients who want their medical decisions guided by Catholic moral teachings, this document provides clarity grounded in faith.
It addresses:
Palliative care
Life-prolonging treatment
Artificial nutrition and hydration
Moral guidelines at end of life
This can stand alone or be incorporated into your main Advance Directive.
Think of it as “medical guidance that respects your faith and removes the guesswork.”
Missouri vs. Kansas: Why State Differences Matter
The states handle these documents differently in ways that matter when tensions are high:
| Document | Missouri | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| DNR | State form required | State form required |
| Living Will / Advance Directive | Highly customizable; requires careful drafting | Statutory form available |
| Catholic Directive | Can be integrated or standalone | Can be integrated or standalone |
Crossing the state line with the wrong form isn’t catastrophic — but it can delay doctors at crucial moments.
What Happens If You Don’t Have These Documents?
Short answer: confusion.
Long answer: potential conflict, stress, and decisions that may not match your wishes.
Without instructions, your loved ones and medical team are left to guess. And “guessing” makes sense at a baby shower… not during medical emergencies.
How to Get This Handled Before the New Year
If you want to actually finish this task (not just think about it again next December), here’s what to do:
Review any documents you already have.
Decide which documents you need.
Choose a medical decision-maker who will actually follow your wishes.
Call us or reply to this blog — we’ll draft everything correctly under Missouri or Kansas law.
Discuss your decisions with your family so everyone is on the same page.
Just a bit of planning now makes things much easier for the people you love later.
Need Help Getting This Done?
We’re here to make this straightforward and — dare we say — pleasantly painless.
If you’d like us to review your documents or create new ones tailored to Missouri or Kansas law, just reach out. We’ll walk you through everything.
Chris Gaughan & Casey Connealy
Gaughan & Connealy Estate Planning Attorneys
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