Nobody expects to get in an accident, sustain injury, or fall ill, but it’s important to be prepared in case they do. A visit to Legal Attorney Dean Patrick can help you take the right precautions. If something happens to you, leaving you unable to make decisions for yourself, you’ll need an Advocate to make those decisions for you. Our legal advice will make the process of choosing an advocate easy.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
The Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is a legal document that gives someone of your choice (your Advocate) the right to handle your health care decisions if you become incapacitated. You don’t give up control if you are capable.
For estate planning purposes, we use this legal document to:
- Assure someone you trust, not a court appointed guardian, is appointed to handle your health care and end of life decisions.
- Keep you, and your loved ones, out of the living probate system.
- Keep your financial and health care affairs private.
Choosing an Advocate
An advocate nominated to handle your physical health care and end of life decisions has a real responsibility that comes with an emotional burden. You need someone in place that can handle this responsibility. It should be someone you know, who cares about you, and knows what you would want for yourself. Usually, good choices include a spouse, son or daughter, or other close relative to handle the health care and end of life decisions for the other upon incapacity.
Some important attributes of a good Advocate candidate include:
- Trustworthiness.
- Previous experience making health care and end of life decisions.
- Nursing or medical background.
- Emotionally able to handle and advocate medical and end of life decisions.
- Easy to communicate with as necessary.
- Close proximity to your location is critical so that the advocate can be by your side as necessary.
The most important thing is that your advocate be the best choice to handle your health care decisions. This process is not about making people feel equal. It is about assuring your wishes are followed when you no longer have a say in the matter.
- Power of Attorney Finance
- Power of Attorney FAQ
- Power of Attorney Mental Health
- Power of Attorney Stories
Contact our Southfield, Michigan office at (248) 663-2566 or click here to arrange your consultation initial consultation regarding any medical power of attorney matters.
