A healthcare power of attorney (HPOA), also known as a medical power of attorney, is a means to ensure that––in the event you become incapacitated––someone you trust carries out your wishes regarding medical treatment. This document is a great comforting tool that you can use, knowing someone you trust will make the right medical decisions on your behalf.
At Halterman Law, LLC, our estate planning attorney in Ohio will help you draft a healthcare power of attorney as part of your estate plan. We aim to create a healthcare power of attorney that reflects your beliefs regarding health, illness, and death and incorporates any pertinent religious practices or medical treatment preferences, especially those related to life-sustaining care or comfort care. Contact our estate planning attorney today either online or at (614) 420-2038 to schedule a Peace of Mind Planning Session to learn more about the benefits this document can provide.
Healthcare Power of Attorney in Ohio
A healthcare power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint a person of your choosing to act as your healthcare agent and make healthcare decisions for you in the event you become incapacitated. Many people choose their partner or spouse, adult child, or sibling to act as their healthcare proxy. Whoever you choose, make sure it is someone who is able to make important decisions swiftly in emergency situations. The person you select, called your “agent,” can make decisions about your treatment, surgeries, medications, and even which doctors or hospitals you may go to.
A healthcare power of attorney is only effective when you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself, and this has been verified by a physician. You always have the ability to change or revoke your healthcare proxy as long as you are competent.
How Does a Healthcare Power of Attorney Differ from a Living Will in Ohio?
A Living Will is a document that allows you to specify what your wishes are regarding end-of-life care and life-prolonging procedures. You can use this document to specify the type of artificially and technologically life-sustaining support you should or should not receive if you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious. With a Living Will, your doctors know exactly what your wishes are regarding life-prolonging care. This differs from a healthcare power of attorney which covers a wide range of medical decisions beyond end-of-life care, including routine treatments. A Living only comes into play if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious and unable to communicate.
Why Have a Healthcare Power of Attorney in Ohio?
Having an appointed healthcare agent can not only bring peace of mind in knowing you have someone looking out for your interests even when you are unable to do so, it can also prevent strife and unnecessary delay in care. For example, family members often disagree on what type of medical care a loved one should receive, and valuable time is spent arguing. By appointing a specific person to make your healthcare decisions, you can avoid this.
Without a healthcare power of attorney, medical establishments will look to state law to determine who can make medical decisions on your behalf. With that said, you especially want a healthcare agent to step into your shoes when any of the following situations are present:
- You have been diagnosed with a serious or terminal illness
- You have reached an age where illnesses are more prevalent
- You are in the process of drafting or updating a Will or other advance directive documents
But again, it's important to stress that you do not (and should not) wait until the last minute to create a healthcare power of attorney because we never know with certainty when something might happen, like a serious car accident.
Contact an Estate Planning Attorney in Westerville Today
Every person's situation is unique, and what you need in a healthcare plan will differ from anyone else. Because of this, it is in your best interest to meet with an estate planning attorney. They will be able to confer with you, learn the details of your specific situation, and advise you on the best way to proceed to protect yourself and those you love. An estate planning lawyer in your state will know the laws, regulations, and estate planning tools that apply in your jurisdiction and can give you specific guidance.
At Halterman Law, LLC, our healthcare power of attorney lawyer in Westerville will help you draft or update a healthcare proxy to make sure that your interests and beliefs are adequately addressed. Contact us today to schedule a Peace of Mind Planning Session either by filling out our online form or calling us directly at (614) 420-2038.
