Yakima Healthcare Power of Attorney
A primary goal of estate planning is to smoothly settle your final affairs at death, but it is important to realize that you also have opportunities if you become incapacitated. Under Washington law, you can prepare a healthcare power of attorney that acts as your means of communication when you cannot do so yourself. This document helps your loved ones avoid hassles of managing the legal side of medical care, and it ensures that you can express your intentions with regards to specific types of medical treatment.
The benefits of a healthcare power of attorney are significant, but it is important to get legal help so mistakes do not get in the way. Our team at Moulton Law Offices is knowledgeable about the requirements, so we are ready to counsel you and assist with document preparation. Please contact us to schedule a consultation with a Yakima healthcare power of attorney expert. You can also learn more from a basic summary.
Healthcare POAs Overview
Living wills and advance directives are one way to manage your medical needs if you become incapacitated, enabling you to express your wishes regarding treatment and end-of-life care. A healthcare power of attorney also applies to situations of incapacity, except that you can do more. Most importantly, you can appoint an agent who will step into your shoes with respect to health care. You can also provide instructions on specific types of treatment or services.
Your agent is bound to the instructions in your POA, so you may expand or restrict these powers. Some provisions to include in a healthcare power of attorney are:
- Permission for elective care;
- Authority to communicate with physicians and caregivers;
- Accessing your medical records;
- Ensuring you receive benefits under Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs;
- Your wishes regarding long-term care; and,
- Preferences on life-sustaining treatment.
Without an agent who has authority to carry out your healthcare POA, your family will need to go to court and request appointment of a guardian. During the delay, your medical care could suffer.
Guidance with Powers of Attorney
Moulton Law Offices will tackle all necessary legal requirements for a healthcare POA, starting with a comprehensive consultation about your goals. We will go through each item on the document, so you know your wishes are clear if you cannot communicate.
Our Washington estate planning attorneys will also coordinate signing of your POA, which requires neutral witnesses and legal formalities. Once you have properly executed all documents, we can advise you on making copies and storage. Your agent and any successors should receive copies, and you should inform them of the location of originals.
Contact a Yakima Healthcare Power of Attorney Law Firm for Details
It is important to get legal help with estate planning, especially with document preparation and understanding how things work. Moulton Law Offices will advise you on the details of healthcare POAs and benefits for incapacity, so please contact us to set up a consultation. A Washington estate planning attorney can explain more about the laws after reviewing your circumstances.
