A durable power of attorney and a health care proxy are two very important estate planning documents. Both allow other people to make decisions for you if you are incapacitated. Because the individuals chosen will have to coordinate your care, it is important to pick two people who will get along.
A power of attorney allows a person you appoint — your agent or “attorney-in-fact” — to act in your place for financial purposes when and if you ever become incapacitated. A health care proxy is a document that gives an agent the authority to make health care decisions for you if you cannot communicate such decisions.
While the health care proxy is the one who makes the health care decisions, the person who holds the power of attorney is the one who needs to pay for the health care. If the two agents disagree, it can spell trouble. For example, suppose your healthcare agent decides you need 24-hour care at home, but your power of attorney thinks a nursing home is the best option and refuses to pay for the at-home care. Any disagreements would have to be settled by a court, which will take time and drain your resources in the process.
The easiest way to avoid conflicts is to choose the same person for both jobs. But this may not always be feasible — for example, perhaps the person you would choose as a health care proxy is not good with finances. If you pick different people for both roles, you should consider picking two people who can get along and work together. You should also talk to both agents about your wishes for medical care so that they both understand what you want.
Contact us today if you have questions about whom to name for these roles or if you haven’t yet executed these all-important documents.
For more information on healthcare proxies, click here.
For more information on powers of attorney, click here.
This article is for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship between the reader and Brennan & Rogers, PLLC, or its attorneys is intended. This article should not be used as a substitute for legal advice. Laws may vary from state to state, and the educational materials found in this article may not apply in all jurisdictions. Brennan & Rogers, PLLC | 279 York Street, York, ME 03909 | 207-361-4680 | admin@brennanrogers.com
