Healthcare & Powers of Attorney

There are two types of powers of attorney that are important and are essential components of your estate plan.  A Health Care Power of Attorney, and a Property (financial) Power of Attorney.

If you are unable to make medical decisions for yourself or communicate your own healthcare wishes due to an incapacity, and you want to have control over these decisions, then you need to have a Health Care Power of Attorney as well as a HIPAA Authorization in place.

Health Care Power of Attorney or Health Care Proxy

This document allows you to name someone to make medical decisions for you, when you are unable to make them for yourself.

HIPAA Authorization

This Authorization gives any and all of your medical providers the written permission to share your medical information with the individuals that you have named.  Without these written instructions, your spouse and your family may not be informed about your condition, and they may not even let you visit, or even disclose if your even in the hospital. 

Financial Power of Attorney (Power of Attorney)- With proper planning you will get to decide who will manage your financial affairs in the event you are incapacitated.  Without proper planning the court will decide this for you.  A Financial Power of Attorney (Power of Attorney) gives the person of your choosing the ability to manage your finances on your behalf.  The person you chose can take care of your banking, real estate, and investments, among other things.  If there is a problem with your Power of Attorney, or you don’t have one, or a bank doesn’t accept it, a probate court will have to appoint someone to manage those assets for you.  Consult with us to make sure you have the right Power of Attorney, as there are several different kinds.  We can also discuss the pros and cons of relying solely on this document in a time of need.