What Does The Medical Term Power Of Attorney Mean
A special type of power of attorney that is used frequently is the durable power of attorney.
What does the medical term power of attorney mean. A medical power of attorney is one type of health care directive that is a document that set out your wishes for health care if you are ever too ill or injured to speak for yourself. A healthcare power of attorney hcpa is a legal document that empowers a specific individual to speak with others and make decisions on your behalf concerning your medical condition treatment. An attorney in fact may be a layperson and is authorized to act pursuant to the powers granted by a power. Medical power of attorney example.
Fortunately powers of attorney usually aren t difficult to prepare. Health care power of attorney law and legal definition a health care power of attorney hcpoa is a legal document that allows an individual to designate another person to make medical decisions for him or her when he or she cannot make decisions for himself or herself. A medical poa is different from a normal poa which is more general or a financial poa which is similar but for your money. However there are still a few things that an agent cannot do.
A power of attorney generally is terminated when the principal dies or becomes incompetent but the principal can revoke the power of attorney at any time. That term should be distinguished from the term attorney at law in the united states an attorney at law is a solicitor who is also licensed to be an advocate in a particular jurisdiction. The term attorney in fact is used in many jurisdictions instead of the term agent. Do not take this decision lightly and make sure you have all of the.
A medical power of attorney is one kind of durable power of attorney. A medical power of attorney medical poa or health poa is a legal document you use to name an agent and give them the authority to make tough medical decisions for you. Medical power of attorney. A power of attorney can be a powerful document yet it is often the last thing people think about in their estate planning.
Powers of attorney can be written to be either general full or limited to special circumstances. A generic poa document that does not contain any limitations typically gives an agent broad power over medical or financial decisions. A medical power of attorney gives your agent the right to make health care decisions for you.