Advanced Care Directives
POWER OF ATTORNEY
“Power of Attorney” is a legal document that empowers someone you trust to take action on your behalf with respect to your financial and administrative affairs (think tax, accounting, finance, bills, insurance, legal, comcast, etc. The appointed attorney-in-fact (called an agent) has the power to take action on your behalf from the moment it’s executed, so you need to be cautious in designating someone. Nevertheless, a power of attorney is an essential document in a carefully crafted estate plan because it’s critical in the event you become inacapcited. The alternative is court, which you should avoid.
HEALTH CARE SURROGATE
A “Health Care Surrogate” A/K/A “Health Care Proxy” designates another person to make healthcare decisions on your behalf in the event that you are unable to make them yourself. It’s like a health care power of attorney. Again, you need to be cautious and choose someone you trust.
LIVING WILL
A living will generally does not appoint anyone. It simply expresses your wishes and desires with respect to keeping you alive artificially while in a persistent vegetative state or end stage condition. In this regard, think back to the sad case of Terri Shiavo. She failed to express her wishes by executing a simple living will, and her husband and family fought over the decision while she remained in a persistent vegetative state for four years.
These documents will generally be included in a properly crafted estate plan.
You’ll learn more about this in our report once you take our questionnaire.