how to get medical power of attorney reddit

When is a power of attorney needed for a child?

When Is a Power of Attorney for a Child Needed? A parent or legal guardian has the authority to act on their child’s behalf. This is especially important when it comes to consenting to medical treatment and making other medical decisions.

What are the requirements for a power of attorney for a child?

Basic Requirements. Any power of attorney for child will include: The names, addresses, and phone numbers of the parent (s) or guardian signing the document. The names and addresses of the agent (and any alternative agent). The name and date of birth of each child covered by the document. When the agent’s authority begins ...

How long does a power of attorney last for a child?

It can state that the authority begins immediately, or upon a certain date. Some states limit the duration of a power of attorney for child to six or twelve months. If that is the case, you would need to execute ...

What powers does a temporary power of attorney have?

Typical medical-related powers include the authority to make medical, dental, and mental health treatment decisions; and have access to health records.

Do you need a power of attorney if you have only one sign?

If only one signs, and the other is available, then that parent can make decisions and the power of attorney will not be needed. The document will also have to be signed and dated by the parent (s) or guardian. It will need to comply with the law of the state for a power of attorney, which typically requires the signatures of witnesses, ...

Do both parents sign a power of attorney?

The powers or authority delegated to the agent (this is discussed more below). If both parents are alive, then ideally both parents should sign the document. However, since it is not necessary for both to sign a medical consent form, it should also not be necessary for both to sign a power of attorney.

Can a parent change a power of attorney?

A power of attorney for child gives the designated agent the temporary authority to make decisions, but the parent still retains the same authority. In a guardianship, the parental authority is permanently transferred to the legal guardian, and the parent no longer has the authority to make decisions for the child. A parent may revoke a power of attorney at any time, but only a court can change guardianship.

What is a medical power of attorney?

With a medical power of attorney, you designate someone to make medical decisions for you. This person is typically called your “agent,” “surrogate,” or “patient advocate.” A medical power of attorney picks up where the living will leaves off. Your agent will make medical decisions not covered in your living will, and will hire or fire doctors and enforce your medical wishes and court. Your agent will also have rights to visit you in the hospital and access your medical records.

When does a power of attorney become effective?

A “springing” (or “conditional”) power of attorney becomes effective when some condition is met. For example, a springing power of attorney may state that it becomes effective only when you are incapacitated. A “durable” power of attorney, by contrast, becomes effective immediately.

What does a power of attorney do for an incapacitated person?

With this power, the agent makes medical decisions not specified in a living will. Sadly, people can suffer unexpected life-threatening injuries. But by creating a medical power of attorney, you can take control of your medical treatments should you become incapacitated. You will also gain peace of mind knowing that your wishes will be followed.

How to keep a copy of your POLST?

Keep one copy, printed on pink paper, with you at all times. In addition, send one copy to your state's POLST registry, which will create a secure copy of your POLST form for all medical personnel to see. If your pink paper copy cannot be found, medical personnel can look on this registry to find your form.

What to do if you already have a living will?

If you already have a living will drafted, bring a copy so that the person can get an idea about what kind of treatment you want and don’t want.

What does a living will say?

Living wills often answer whether or not you want to receive treatment that will keep you alive but will not make you better. They also typically specify if you want to be put on a feeding tube.

Can a medical power of attorney be drafted at the same time as a will?

If you do not yet have a will, then a medical power of attorney can be drafted at the same time as a will and a living will. To find a qualified estate planning attorney to help you, you should contact your state’s bar association, which runs a referral service.

What is a medical power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document that appoints someone as your representative and gives that person the power to act on your behalf. Different types of powers of attorney address different situations. With a medical power of attorney, you appoint someone—often referred to as your attorney-in-fact ...

What happens if you don't have a power of attorney?

If You Do Not Have a Medical Power of Attorney 1 Living will. If you have a living will, it will only be enacted if you are in a permanent state of incapacity. This is because a living will addresses with end-of-life situations, and a key requirement is that you are permanently incapacitated. But if you are temporarily incapacitated—for example, if you fall into a temporary coma after an accident but your doctors expect you to eventually come out of the coma—your living will won't be able to help with the healthcare decisions that may need to be made during this time. 2 Your loved ones know what you want. It's easy to see the potential for conflict that could arise in this scenario. Your loved ones may not correctly remember your instructions, may interpret your directions to them differently or may decide on religious or moral grounds that a different decision would be better for you. Having a medical power of attorney avoids these situations. Additionally, your state's laws may give one of your loved ones priority in terms of medical decision-making power over another loved one who may be more likely to make medical decisions following your wishes.

Why is a power of attorney important?

While much of estate planning focuses on finances, a comprehensive estate plan should also help you prepare for any potential medical or healthcare decisions you may need to make in the future. That's why a medical power of attorney, also known as a durable power of attorney for healthcare, is essential.

Can a power of attorney make healthcare decisions?

With a medical power of attorney, you can appoint someone to make healthcare decisions for you if you become incapable of making those decisions yourself. While much of estate planning focuses on finances, a comprehensive estate plan should also help you prepare for any potential medical or healthcare decisions you may need to make in the future.

Can you choose a representative for medical decisions?

However, you want to select as your representative someone you can trust to make the same medical decisions you would make if you weren't incapacitated. While a person acting under a power of attorney for medical decisions is required to make those decisions following any healthcare wishes that you've made known to them, you are still placing a great deal of trust in them. Designate someone who won't later decide to disregard your wishes.

Can an attorney be an attorney in fact?

It's important to carefully consider whom you want to appoint to be your representative or attorney-in-fact under your medical power of attorney. Note that, despite using the word "attorney" in the term "attorney-in-fact," this person is not required to be an attorney.

Can a living will be enacted?

Living will. If you have a living will, it will only be enacted if you are in a permanent state of incapacity. This is because a living will addresses with end-of-life situations, and a key requirement is that you are permanently incapacitated. But if you are temporarily incapacitated—for example, if you fall into a temporary coma after an accident but your doctors expect you to eventually come out of the coma—your living will won't be able to help with the healthcare decisions that may need to be made during this time.

What is a power of attorney in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania medical power of attorney enables an individual to establish instructions regarding end-of-life treatments and medications and to appoint an attorney-in-fact to make medical decisions on their behalf. The first part, durable health care power of attorney, is where the principal will enter the name of a trusted individual that they would like handling all health care matters for them in the event of incapacitation. The second part of the advance directive is known as a “living will” and allows the principal to choose which health care services they wish to receive if they have been diagnosed with an end-stage medical condition. This will help physicians and other health care professionals know if the principal wants to be resuscitated, provided with breathing machines, or administered nutrition and/or hydration artificially to aid in prolonging their life.

What is the second part of a power of attorney?

The second part of the advance directive is known as a “living will” and allows the principal to choose which health care services ...