By Angie Hall
Just as we create estate plans for our eventual demise, it’s also important to plan ahead for the possibility that we will become sick or unable to make medical decisions for ourselves. Medical science has created the technology to keep patients alive longer, sometime indefinitely. So, if an individual becomes incapacitated, its important to give someone legal authority to communicate a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment. The Durable Health Care Power of Attorney accomplishes this very thing. By appointing an agent through your Health Care Power of Attorney, you can ensure that someone is able to speak for you when you are unable to do so. Also, within the Living Will, you can provide your agent instruction in regard to your treatment if you are terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state.
