Who Will Make Your Medical Decisions?

Few situations are more stressful an unexpected serious illness or medical emergency. If the worst should happen, is someone prepared to make medical decisions on your behalf?

While no one likes to talk about end-of-life planning, it’s critical to define and communicate to loved ones your decisions about medical treatments, life support, and funeral and burial arrangements well before they’re needed. One of the most important topics to discuss is whether you have the appropriate legal documents in place for your loved ones to carry out your wishes on your behalf. Each of the following documents plays a role.

• Power of attorney gives you the power to appoint a trusted family member or friend as an agent to manage financial and legal matters in the event of your incapacity or death. It can be a general, special, or healthcare power of attorney, and may be granted for a limited time period or under specified circumstances, or a durable POA, which includes a provision to keep the current power of attorney in effect.
• Medical power of attorney allows you to designate a trusted family member or friend to make medical decisions for you in the event you become unconscious or mentally incapacitated.
• HIPAA authorization allows you to name an individual(s) who can have access to your medical information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act is a federal law that sets rules and limits on who can look at your medical records or receive your health information.
• Living will, or directive to physicians, is a document that allows you to instruct your physicians not to use artificial methods to extend your life in the event you’re diagnosed with a terminal or irreversible condition. You must be deemed mentally competent at the time the living will is signed and executed.

If you have questions about managing your financial and estate planning needs and sharing those needs with loved ones, call or email today to schedule a consultation. Together, we can meet with any friends or family members you feel would benefit from this assistance or from an educational email series. If you prefer not to receive future educational emails such as this, please reach out to be removed from the list.

^{This communication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information on the subjects covered. It is not, however, intended to provide specific legal, tax, or other professional advice. For specific professional assistance, the services of an appropriate professional should be sought.}