Considerations When Choosing a Health Care Agent
When it comes to matters of life or death, whom do you trust with yours? This is a critical question that estate planning attorneys must ask of their clients when developing a health care directive, a vital document for anyone over the age of 18.
A health care directive is a legal document that enables you to name someone who will make critical decisions about your health care in case you are incapacitated and unable to make those decisions for yourself. This applies not only to live-saving health measures, but life-ending measures as well. So choosing a health care agent you trust to carry out your wishes is of paramount importance.
As a Personal Family Lawyer®, I often find that spouses are not always the best choice to act as a health care agent. There are circumstances when siblings may be a better choice, since you are likely to share common values and have a foundation of trust. For many spouses, making end-of-life decisions can prove too difficult; consider your choice of health care agent carefully, as it must be someone you not only trust to make the right decision, but also someone who can stand up for their decision in the face of family disagreement.
If no health care directive is in place and you become incapacitated, the state will decide who will act as your health care agent – usually your next of kin. If this is not the right person for you, then a health care directive is the best way to ensure your wishes are carried out by the person you feel is best qualified to perform this important task.
If you’d like to learn more about creating a personal estate plan, call our office today to schedule a time to sit down and talk to a Personal Family Lawyer®. We normally charge $750 for a Family Wealth Planning Session™, but because this planning is so important, I’ve made space for the next two people who mention this article to have a complete planning session at no charge. Call today and mention this article.
