Life is unpredictable, and, at the end of the day, anyone can end up the victim of a catastrophic accident. Sadly, even if you exercise caution in everything you do, you cannot rely on others to do the same. All it takes is one reckless driver to cause a devastating collision. If such a scenario does occur and you wind up incapacitated, do you know who you would like to make medical decisions on your behalf? If you have someone in mind, an estate planning attorney can help you create a medical power of attorney.

Why Do You Need Medical Power of Attorney?

A health care or medical power of attorney is a kind of advance directive that allows you to grant decision-making authority regarding your medical needs to a particular individual should you become unable to make them yourself. This document does not apply unless the principal becomes incapacitated; however, they must be fully cognizant and aware when executing the document.

Everyone has their own opinions, beliefs, and preferences when it comes to catastrophic care. The only way to ensure you will receive the kind of care that aligns with your own beliefs is to create an advance directive and name someone you trust as the agent.

How Do You Create One?

An estate planning attorney can help you create a medical power of attorney. This document is essential if you want to create a comprehensive estate plan, and you can create one easily when drafting other estate planning documents, such as a Directive to Physicians, Family or Other Surrogates..  A Directive to Physician states that if you are suffering with a terminal condition from which you are expected to die within six months, even with available life-sustaining treatment provided in accordance with prevailing standards of medical care; you can request that all treatments other than those needed to keep you comfortable be discontinued or withheld and your physician allow you to die as gently as possible.  A Directive to Physician can also states that if you are suffering with an irreversible condition so that you cannot care for yourself or make decisions for yourself and are expected to die without life-sustaining treatment provided in accordance with prevailing standards of care; you can request that all treatments other than those needed to keep me comfortable be discontinued or withheld and our physician allow you to die as gently as possible.

If you want to create a medical power of attorney, turn to an estate planning attorney at The Law Offices of Charley Johnson in Centerville, TX. Serving clients throughout Leon County, they are proud to help entire families manage their affairs. You can learn more about their vast range of practice areas, including probate law, by visiting their website. To schedule a consultation with an estate planning attorney, call (903) 536-2185 today.