Health Care and General Durable Power of Attorney

Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA)

Your Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA) is the individual or list of individuals who can make your medical decisions for you if you do not have the capacity or ability to do so yourself.

These powers include decision-making authority over:

• Life Support
• Food and Hydration
• Organ Donation

Most Assisted Living Facilities, Retirement Communities, and HOSPICE Care require their residences to have such forms completed.

General Durable Power of Attorney (POA)

Your General Durable Power of Attorney (POA) is the individual or list of individuals who can serve as your representative and control your assets on your behalf. Having someone in place with these abilities is invaluable when you are no longer able to handle your assets.

A Power of Attorney document can also handle other, non-financial aspects of your life, such as designating guardians for your minor children, changing your mailing address, and even taking charge of your pets. Your POA should be recorded at the Register of Deeds Office for the county in which you reside and at the Register of Deeds Office of each county in which you own real estate.

Power of Attorney for Someone Incapacitated

A proper estate plan has provisions in place that not only control your estate when you die but also if you become incapacitated. Today more people are living longer than they ever have before and with that longer life span comes infirmities that we all need to prepare for. Incapacity, whether that be from Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Stroke, Coma, or any other debilitating medical condition, should be anticipated. Having the proper documents in order, such as your Health Care Power of Attorney and General Power of Attorney, could save you and your family precious time, money, and distress.