If you have made the wise decision to establish an estate plan, you are likely focused on protecting your financial assets. Although this is beneficial, it is also critical to take the necessary steps to protect yourself in the unfortunate event that you become too ill or otherwise incapacitated and can no longer make critical decisions on your own. To protect yourself, you may consider appointing a power of attorney. A power of attorney is a legal document that grants a trusted loved one, known as an “agent,” to act on your behalf. In Maryland, there are different types of power of attorney you can establish in a particular situation. Many people decide to appoint a medical power of attorney and/or create an advanced healthcare directive to ensure their medical wishes are respected and carried out properly in the event they can no longer make decisions for themselves. Ultimately, to protect yourself if any potential healthcare issues arise in the future, you should consider appointing a medical power of attorney. Keep reading to learn how a medical power of attorney works and discover how a trusted Montgomery County Power of Attorney can help you today.
How does a medical power of attorney work?
As mentioned above, a power of attorney is a trusted individual that acts on your behalf to make important decisions about financial, healthcare, and other critical matters. A medical power of attorney specifically grants the authority to act on your behalf to make medical decisions for you as you can no longer make those decisions on your own. These decisions may include certain treatments, medications, or surgery. Essentially, it can include any decisions involving your end-of-life care. Typically, individuals choose to create a durable power of attorney as it allows the agent to make decisions if the grantor becomes incapacitated. When you are incapacitated you are no longer able to communicate your wishes about important healthcare decisions. Fortunately, if you appoint a medical power of attorney, you will not have to worry about your wishes being carried out as you can leave clear instructions for your healthcare decisions. When appointing an individual to make these important decisions, it is critical to choose someone you trust and who is willing to put their feelings aside for a medical decision to ensure that your wishes are carried out.
Unfortunately, we never know when something unexpected is going to happen which is why it is imperative to appoint a medical power of attorney to ensure someone you trust is granted the power to act on your behalf to make crucial medical decisions. If you are considering establishing a medical power of attorney, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our skilled and dedicated team members. Allow our firm to offer you individualized legal counseling today!
