You have your own ideas on what should happen if you are incapacitated. However, your loved ones could have other ideas.
What happens if you do not have a Health Care Proxy? For example, if you are in an accident and decisions need to be made about your medical care, your family might not have a good idea what decisions you would make. That can create problems for them as they try to decide on what care you should receive, according to the Sentinel Source in “Planning ahead for health decisions benefits everyone.”
There is a better way. A Health Care Proxy can be used to appoint one or more persons to make medical decisions for you, if you are unable to express your wishes. Make your wishes known to your health care agents in advance and ensure that those wishes are legally enforceable. Discuss in detail with your agents what procedures doctors should and should not perform if you are incapacitated with no chance of survival.
An estate planning attorney can advise you on creating an estate plan that meets your unique circumstances, including preparation of a Health Care Proxy.
Reference: Sentinel Source (April 18, 2018) “Planning ahead for health decisions benefits everyone.”
