A comprehensive estate plan addresses more than just your wishes after your death. When you draft your estate plan, consider what will happen if you become incapacitated and unable to make medical decisions for yourself. A medical power of attorney designation addresses that concern.
Understand the importance of medical power of attorney for your estate planning journey.
What is medical power of attorney?
Your medical power of attorney provides legal authorization for someone to make medical treatment and care decisions on your behalf when you cannot do so for yourself.
Do you need medical power of attorney if you have a living will?
A living will provides details of your wishes for medical treatment and life-sustaining efforts. The scope of the document only covers the specific wishes defined. The unpredictability of medical situations makes the power of attorney valuable for any situation not included in your living will.
How does medical power of attorney help you?
Appointing someone to serve as your medical power of attorney benefits you in a variety of ways. It provides you with peace of mind that someone will communicate your wishes and make medical decisions according to your personal preferences. Choose someone you can trust and take time to discuss your preferences for care before those decisions become a factor.
Medical power of attorney is one piece of a more complex and comprehensive plan. Your estate plan should include not only this form but also a living will, conservatorship documents and trust accounts to protect your assets.