A medical power of attorney is a type of advance directive that you can use when making an estate plan. You may not know what the future holds, and a medical emergency could leave you incapacitated. By using a power of attorney to choose an agent, you select the person who gets to make your healthcare decisions.
But how do you know who to choose? How do you select the right person for this important position?
Focusing on trust
First and foremost, the main qualifier you should be looking for is a person that you explicitly trust to make decisions with your best interests in mind. This is why many people will choose a spouse or an adult child. They could be making decisions about end-of-life care or other critical treatments, and you need to know that you trust them to make the right choices at these important times.
Beyond that, you should consider if the person is a good fit for the job. Do they have any knowledge of the healthcare industry? Are they detail-oriented, responsive and dependable? Do they live nearby so that they can assist your family when needed?
Finally, even if you think you have found the right person for the job, have a conversation with them and ask if they are willing to accept that type of responsibility. Not everyone is comfortable with it, so you need to know that they are.
Drafting your estate plan
Choosing an agent for your medical power of attorney is just one part of making your estate plan. To get the process started, it can help to work with an experienced law firm.
