ADVANCED DIRECTIVES
Do you want to ensure that your wishes are carried out when you can no longer make decisions for yourself? Do you have the appropriate paperwork in place to do so? In the event that you are unable to make certain decisions for yourself, a power of attorney, living will, and health care power of attorney will allow you to appoint another individual to make decisions for you in accordance with the choices you have made with regard to your future health care and financial well being.
DURABLE POWERS OF ATTORNEYS
A power of attorney is a document in which you give authority to a person of your choosing to act on your behalf with regard to any number of financial related decisions. The person named must act in accordance with your wishes in carrying out any of the transactions authorized. It is effective upon signing, and it can be revoked or changed at any time.
LIVING WILLS
A power of attorney is a document in which you give authority to a person of your choosing to act on your behalf with regard to any number of financial related decisions. The person named must act in accordance with your wishes in carrying out any of the transactions authorized. It is effective upon signing, and it can be revoked or changed at any time.
HEALTH CARE POWERS OF ATTORNEYS
A health care power of attorney is a document in which you may appoint another person who may make medical decisions on your behalf in the event you are unable to make the decisions for yourself. In the health care power of attorney, you may authorize your appointed representative to consent to certain medical procedures, or to refuse certain medical procedures that you find unacceptable for any reason.
Without a living will or health care power of attorney, the decision is left up to your spouse, your next of kin or your physician. By having a living will, you can ensure that your wishes are carried out while at the same time relieving your family of the duty to make those decisions for you.
With both a living will and health care power of attorney, you may revoke the authority or change the authority you give at any time. You should consult with an elder law attorney to make sure you have the necessary paperwork in place so that your desires can be carried out even when you cannot express them.
If you have questions about any of these documents, or if you would like to discuss how these documents apply to your personal situation, please call (704) 841-0661. The attorneys at Garrity & Gossage, LLP would be glad to assist you. |