Health Care Durable Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives

One of the estate planning tools I recommend using when advising clients is to execute a Health Care Durable Power of Attorney coupled with a Health Care Directive.  Executing a Health Care Power of Attorney allows you to designate someone to act on your behalf when it comes to making health care decisions.  Executing a Health Care Directive allows you to dictate the type of care you would want and the type of care you would refuse in the event of serious physical and mental incapacity.  

Choosing a person to act as your agent is an important decision that should not be taken lightly.   The ramifications can be horrendous, for example, if you choose a person to act on your behalf in your time of need and that person refuses because they do not agree with your health care wishes.  That is why having a conversation with the person you intend to designate as your agent is critical.  That particular person needs to understand exactly what you will and will not allow and be able to actually follow through with your wishes.

Bell & Ingram, P.S.           (425) 258-6261