Health care powers of attorney, Living Wills, and other forms of advance directives are written instructions on a person’s preferences for medical attention when he or she is unable to make these decisions for him or herself. These directives assist medical professionals and the patient’s loved ones when patients are no longer able to make their own decisions on the type of health care desired. In some cases, the need for an advance health care directive can arise as a result of a terminal illness or the person has become suddenly and permanently unconscious. It is therefore important that adults of every age consider preparing a health care directive because sudden and unexpected incapacitation can occur at any given moment.
Professional & Compassionate Legal Support is Available
There are many different reasons why a person may need a health care power of attorney, and many of these reasons will depend on the specific circumstances of a person’s life. Regardless of the situation, every adult can benefit from a health care directive and a power of attorney. To understand if this is the right legal choice for you, speak to a trusted attorney who has the experience to adequately assist you.
Alex Carr Law, LLC is exceptionally experienced in advance health care directives and the firm can counsel you to a decision that is right for you. Attorney Alex Carr understands that these documents can be some of the most important to have in your lifetime. Consequently, Attorney Carr works diligently to ensure you are making the decision that best suits your interests. Schedule a no-obligation consultation by contacting Alex Carr Law, LLC today.
Health Care Power of Attorney
Commonly referred to as durable powers of attorney for health care or health care proxy, a health care power of attorney is a legal document that allows a person to appoint another to act on his or her behalf in a medical setting. The selected individual, referred to as an agent, will then have the legal right to make every health care decision on behalf of the patient but only when the patient is unable to do so for him or herself. A few of the decisions this party can make include surgery, medical treatment, medications, and placement in a nursing facility. Further, the agent is also the individual who will receive calls from the hospital and/or nursing home.
While it is not legally required, a letter from a doctor indicating the need for an agent as a result of the patient’s incapacitation may be needed to obtain a health care powers of attorney. Also, health care powers of attorney do not grant access to a patient’s personal finances.
The person selected to hold the power of attorney can be a family member, including a spouse. It can also be a friend or a clergy member. Without a health care power of attorney, the next of kin may be authorized to make decisions on behalf of the patient. This includes children over the age of 18. With that said, however, certain medical facilities do not allow adult children or spouses to make health care decisions for the patient without a legal power of attorney or guardianship.
Living Wills
With a Living Will, medical professionals and relatives will understand how to proceed as this document outlines the patients’ wishes when they are no longer able to advocate on their behalf. These documents are also referred to as advance directives and health care directives.
In order for the Living Will to become valid, two licensed doctors must declare that the patient is permanently incapacitated and is unable to make decisions for him or herself. Just like a power of attorney, Living Wills are revocable and these documents can be redrafted at any time.
Obtain the Advance Directive Right For You
An advance directive can be drafted with or without the support of an attorney, but it is important to understand that costly mistakes are often committed when these documents are made without the right legal knowledge. Unfortunately, patients and their loved ones discover these mistakes during a health crisis. In order to avoid these blunders, speak to an attorney who can provide you with the information you need to create the advance directive that is right for you.
Alex Carr Law, LLC is highly experienced in Living Wills and health care powers of attorney. The law firm believes that health care providers have a legal duty to honor your wishes with respect to the type of medical treatment you desire. When you are too ill or incapacitated to make these decisions for yourself, a Living Will and a power of attorney can document your medical treatment wishes. Consider scheduling a no-obligation consultation with Alex Carr Law, LLC today.
