As time passes, you quickly realize the importance of getting your affairs together. Along with a will and a comprehensive estate plan to ensure your hard-earned assets go where you want, you must also think about your well-being. If the time comes when you cannot make medical decisions for yourself, how will you know if your wishes get met?
At Ruggiero Law Offices, our estate planning attorney knows how essential it is to make sure your wishes are fulfilled, especially regarding medical decisions. We often get a lot of questions about the role of a health care power of attorney. Here are some brief answers to common questions to help you start thinking about this vital process before arranging a consultation with us for more details.
What Does a Health Care Power of Attorney Do?
This person is someone who you legally designate to make your health care decisions if you're incapacitated. Naming this individual requires a notarized document. Once named, this person has legal permission to discuss your medical situation with doctors, view records and tests, and decide the best course of treatment.
Why Name a Health Care Power of Attorney?
It's critical for a single person to name a health care power of attorney. By doing so, you get peace of mind that the treatment you want will get delivered. If you don't name someone, a person you may not want to have that power may still get it. This could mean a distant relative or friend making decisions without having a clearly written statement of your medical desires.
What Characteristics Should Your Designee Have?
Many people think only relatives make good powers of attorney. In some instances, that proves untrue. You can name anyone you want as your medical proxy. However, the right person should have your best interests in mind, the capacity to discuss and understand medical information, the ability to make sound decisions quickly, and the capacity to disconnect personal emotions to follow your designated path of medical treatment.
As your life changes, you can change who you name as your medical power of attorney. But the process starts with a thorough consultation with our trusted estate planning lawyer to make sure your wishes can be clearly outlined.