When dealing with matters of life and death, the process of creating a healthcare power of attorney can be an arduous task, which is why working with our skilled Columbus healthcare power of attorney lawyer is essential. Making decisions regarding life-sustaining care can be uncomfortable. But if you want your wishes to be honored, it is important that your loved ones and your attending physician are aware of your wishes and that your plans are carefully documented.
At Sheppard Law Offices, we can help you establish your healthcare power of attorney. Contact our law office now and schedule a free consultation with our top-ranking Ohio estate planning lawyers so we can create a plan that fully addresses your concerns and provides confidence that your wishes will be carried out.
Why Do I Need a Healthcare Power of Attorney Lawyer in Ohio?
When it comes to health care, there may come a time when a person is unable to make decisions for themselves. This is especially true at the end of life, when a person may face difficult care choices. In such cases, it is important to have a healthcare power of attorney document in place.
At Sheppard Law Offices, our credible Columbus healthcare power of attorney lawyers are committed to:
- Helping you evaluate your situation, and the directives you want to put in place, and ensuring the proper forms and designations are selected.
- Protecting you from being taken advantage of later or sparing you from critical oversights when planning for your future.
- Helping people navigate complex legal matters involving wills, trusts, probate, estate planning, bankruptcy, tax, divorce, and family law.
- Taking the time to listen to your story, discuss your legal options, and clearly explain your next steps.
We have been trusted by countless individuals to lead them through their power of attorney decisions. Contact us now and schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you plan. We represent individuals and families in Columbus, Mount Vernon, Newark, throughout Central Ohio, and the State of Ohio.
What is a Health Care Power of Attorney?
A healthcare power of attorney (healthcare POA) is a legal document that allows you to designate a trusted person to make end-of-life medical decisions for you in the event you are unable to communicate your own health care decisions. This type of POA only becomes effective after a licensed physician or mental health care provider determines that you are incapacitated, mentally incompetent, or unable to make or communicate these decisions for yourself.
Depending on where you live, a healthcare agent may also be known as a healthcare representative, health care proxy, healthcare surrogate, or attorney-in-fact. If you are considering establishing a power of attorney, our knowledgeable Columbus healthcare power of attorney lawyer can listen to your specific goals and objectives and determine which POA can be utilized to suit your needs best.
What Decisions Can My Healthcare Agent Make?
A healthcare power of attorney gives someone the authority to make a broad range of healthcare decisions. Your healthcare agent has access to your medical records and other healthcare information.
In addition, you may want to provide your healthcare agent with specific instructions and other information about what you want or do not want. You have the right to specifically limit the scope of your healthcare agent’s powers, including instructions to refuse certain medical treatment. This can help your agent feel like they are making medical decisions for you in good faith and according to your wishes.
In most cases, a healthcare agent’s powers include the authority to make decisions about:
- Giving consent to initiate life-prolonging measures
- Providing and withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining interventions
- Reviewing your medical information or records
- Giving consent to admission or discharge from a hospital or a nursing home
- Making mental health treatment decisions
- Giving consent to the administration of medications and medical treatments you do or do not want to receive
- Choosing the attending physicians and other healthcare providers
- Authorizing an autopsy
- Donating organs upon death
How Do I Make a Valid Health Care Power of Attorney?
Setting up a healthcare POA is relatively simple. States may have different requirements for filling out and finalizing health care planning forms. When creating a healthcare power of attorney, you should finalize and sign your healthcare planning documents according to the requirements in your state. Almost every state has an online form you can use to lay out specific guidelines and answer questions about common medical treatments and decisions.
To make a health care power of attorney legally binding, you must sign and date the document in the presence of two witnesses. In some cases, the document must also be certified by a notary public. This helps to ensure your attending physician, medical providers, and anyone else making decisions on your behalf can follow your healthcare instructions and carry out your wishes. Our qualified Columbus healthcare power of attorney lawyer can help ensure that you have a valid healthcare POA.
Call Our Experienced Columbus Healthcare Power of Attorney Lawyer Now!
Nobody wants to think about the possibility of dying or becoming incapacitated. However, unforeseen circumstances happen far too often. Regardless of whether you have any current health concerns, it’s essential to be prepared for any circumstance — especially the possibility that you might become incapacitated and left unable to make decisions regarding your own care.
Creating a healthcare power of attorney document can help protect you against unexpected uncertainties. It is an essential legal document should you be considered incapable of making a medical decision, whether through illness or injury. Let our seasoned Columbus healthcare power of attorney lawyers at Sheppard Law Offices help you take the proper legal steps to ensure your future healthcare needs are in the hands of someone you trust.
Our estate planning law firm is dedicated to providing strong, effective legal representation to our clients in Columbus, Mount Vernon, Newark, throughout Central Ohio, and the State of Ohio. We serve our community and help individuals make proactive decisions that will provide them peace of mind for the future. When you are ready to discuss your estate plan, we are here to listen. Contact our law office today and schedule a free consultation with our trusted Ohio lawyers.
