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Diseases, injuries, and chronic conditions can leave an individual unable to communicate. This means you may not be able to make health care decisions when you need to. During estate planning, you can establish what’s known as a health care proxy to make these choices on your behalf. If you’ve never heard of this service before, you may wonder how it’s beneficial. To help ensure all your wishes are met if the time ever comes, here’s a guide to what a health care proxy does and how to choose one.

Guide to Establishing a Health Care Proxy

Why You Need One

A health care proxy is a person you trust to speak for you when you cannot due to health reasons. This individual makes medical care decisions on your behalf, including those concerning exams, medication, surgery, and the hospital or facility where you will receive treatment. The proxy also determines if any insurance or Medicaid benefits apply to you and can take legal action to ensure your wishes are followed.estate planning

For someone under 18, this person is often a parent or guardian. However, once you’re over this age and unmarried, they cannot make health decisions for you anymore. EMTs, physicians, assisted living staff, medical centers, or hospitals will choose what to do in this case. To ensure it’s your family that’s making these decisions, you must create a living will designating your health care proxy and what powers they have.

Tips for Selecting the Right Person

As part of estate planning, you should name this person in your living will, which combined with a health care proxy document is known as an advanced directive.

Since your spouse or other family members may feel overwhelmed by the responsibility, choosing your health care power of attorney can be a delicate process. The person must be fully aware of your feelings about medical treatment, religious beliefs, and life-sustaining services. They should have a complete understanding of all of your health conditions to make informed decisions for you. Discuss these issues with potential candidates and select someone who feels most comfortable making difficult choices.
 

Get the estate planning assistance you need to create a living will, trust, advanced directive, or other family law document from Louis C. Noto. This attorney offers nearly 50 years of experience providing Rochester, NY, and the surrounding areas with reliable legal counsel. Visit him online to learn about his practice areas or call (585) 232-1815 to schedule an estate planning consultation. 

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