An Advance Directive has three parts: a living will, a specified health care agent, and directions for anatomical gifts. Choosing the right person to serve as your Health Care Proxy is a significant decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Your Health Care Proxy will have the authority to make decisions regarding your medical treatment if you are incapacitated.
In addition to making end-of-life medical decisions, your Health Care Proxy also has the authority to act on your behalf for any of the following matters:
- Transferring you to a new hospital or doctor for care
- Selecting and authorizing various medical tests
- Discussing your treatment options with your healthcare providers
- Getting second opinions on your diagnosis
- Deciding whether to keep you on life support if you are terminally ill
When it comes to end-of-life decisions, your health care proxy must adhere to the specified wishes in your living will. This means the health care proxy can only take you off life-support if you authorized it in writing.
Who Should I Pick to Be My Health Care Proxy?
The best strategy is to select a person who is younger than you and lives nearby. This person also needs to have time to listen to concerns regarding your wishes for medical care. Most importantly, the person you choose to serve as your Health Care Proxy should be someone you trust and feel confident will honor your wishes.
Do you need to add a Health Care Proxy to your estate plan? Then please call our firm today at (239) 309-2870 to discuss your situation so we can devise a strong legal strategy to protect your best interests. Schedule your free consultation today.
