A durable power of attorney and a health care proxy are two important but different estate planning documents. Both allow other people to make decisions for you in the event you are incapacitated. Because the individuals chosen will have to coordinate care with your income and resources, it is important to pick two people who can get along.
A power of attorney allows a person you appoint your agent to act in your place for financial purposes when and if you ever become incapacitated. A health care proxy (sometimes called a health care power of attorney or advance directive) is a document that gives an agent the authority to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to communicate such decisions.
If you have preferences about end-of-life care, you should create a living will (also called an advance directive) – a written statement that expresses your wishes. Although it is difficult to address every contingency, living wills typically cover pain relief and whether you would want treatments such as surgery, a ventilator, a feeding tube or resuscitation that might prolong your life but without necessarily ensuring your return to a functional state.
Typically it is recommended that an individual establish a Will to establish one’s wishes of their distribution of wealth, a power of attorney in case one is incapacitated, and a health care proxy when you are under such dire conditions. We offer a comprehensive package when you wish to do all three together. Please contact us today!