Cape Coral Elder Law Lawyer Explores Health Care Proxies
A health care proxy is a document that can save your life, even if you have no idea it is doing so. When you talk to an estate planner, you will discuss many items that are created for your protection in various situations. While they are all very important, none of them have the ability to allow someone you love to save your life when you are unable to speak for yourself.
What is a Health Care Proxy?
Most Cape Coral residents do not think of the possibility of being incapacitated in a medical emergency to the point where they cannot speak for themselves. If you are ever in a car accident and are rendered unconscious, someone will need to speak for you or the medical professionals will take reasonable steps to save your life. While this does not sound like a problem, it can be if those steps go against your beliefs or wishes. A health care proxy gives a person the legal right to make medical treatment decisions for you if you are ever unable to make those decisions yourself.
The Limitations of a Health Care Proxy
A health care proxy only applies to decisions regarding medical care, and even then it only applies to specific situations outlined in the proxy. A health care proxy does not give you the authority to handle legal or financial issues for the person you are representing.
How Does a Health Care Proxy Work?
Your estate planning professional drafts the health care proxy to name the people or person you want responsible for making health care decisions on your behalf. It is always best to list more than one person to make sure someone can be reached in an emergency.
How is the Proxy Used?
There is no quick way for hospitals and other health care agencies to access your health care proxy, so it is a good idea to take copies of your proxy to your local hospital and have one on file with your doctor. You should also write out a business card sized note that you carry with you at all times that lists your health care proxy representatives and their phone numbers. Your representatives should have a copy of your proxy easily accessible at all times in case something happens.
The Mattar Firm can set up a health care proxy for you as part of our elder law and estate planning services. We recommend that you contact us today to set up an appointment to have this very important document taken care of and in place as soon as possible.