Why Do You Need A Health Care Power Of Attorney?

Estate planning has many moving parts. There are a variety of tools that can be used to document your wishes for your loved ones. One of the tools the team at Windrose Law Center PLC may discuss with you is a health care power of attorney.

A health care power of attorney is a legal document that gives authority to whomever you designate to make health care decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so on your own. Without a health care power of attorney, a court may need to become involved to select someone to make medical decisions for you if you become unable.

Your health care power of attorney gives your named agents the power to make medical decisions and sign consents with hospitals or doctors. It conforms to the federal laws (known as “HIPAA”). It also includes your “living will” for end-of-life decisions, such as what life-sustaining treatment you would or would not want if you were in:

• A terminal condition
• An irreversible, incurable coma
• A persistent vegetative state

With a health care power of attorney, you can choose one person to act or have co-agents who act together. You can also create a list of options so that if one of your designees is unable or unwilling to act, the next person on the list will have the authority to do so.

Let Us Help You

You do not need to sort through drafting a health care power of attorney alone. At Windrose Law Center PLC, we can simplify the process for you to make sure your wishes are understood by all involved. Call 602-857-9386 or email us to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we can help with your estate planning needs.