Imagine that you are in the hospital, unconscious.  Who’s going to tell the doctors what you want done?  Do you want to be the one who decides that person, or do you want the state to say who can make decisions for you?

The decision-maker may be obvious if you are married, but what if your spouse is unconscious as well?  And what if you are single?  Who decides then?

Everyone needs a health care surrogate, especially in times like these.  A health care surrogate document, also called a health care power of attorney, designates the person that you want to make medical decisions for you when you can’t.  This document is important for everyone to have, even more so than ever in these crazy times.

A health care surrogate document is not the same as a living will.  A health care surrogate document identifies a specific person to make medical decisions for you when those decisions will keep you alive in a meaningful way.  A living will tells your doctors what you want to happen if the doctors have decided that nothing more can be done for you. 

Everyone needs both of these documents.  And what a great time to get your will in place, too.  Contact your favorite estate planning attorney who can prepare all these documents for you quickly.

Best regards and stay safe.

Disclaimer: This website contains general information directed to Florida residents. This firm does not intend to give legal advice through its pages and/or blog. If you need legal advice, we encourage you to find an attorney licensed in your state. This language on this website does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and this firm.

What do you mean I can't access that...

Normally, one thinks of healthcare and financial powers of attorney is something “older people” need. However, as a 2014 Forbes article states, children turning 18 also need to sign these two documents before they leave home – or even if they stay home.

What most parents don’t know is that once a child turns 18, the parents have no access to the medical and financial records of that child – now officially an adult – even if parents are paying for their new adult’s healthcare insurance and/or funding those bank accounts. 

This lack of access can be a nightmare in a healthcare emergency when parents don’t have access to all of the new adult’s medical records to help direct the doctors. While financial concerns are not usually as time sensitive, there may be times when the new adult would want someone else to act on their behalf such as renewing a car registration, signing a lease in their absence, or accessing a bank account.

In addition to these documents, the new adult also needs a living will to guide doctors regarding end of life decisions. And while they are at it, if the new adult wants to leave any assets owned now – or assets that may be acquired prior to getting around to changing their will – to someone other than their parents, a will is needed as well. Without a will in place, any assets pass according to state intestacy laws – first to children, if none, then to parents, etc.

If you or someone you know could benefit from these documents, please feel free to share this article or give them my information.

Disclaimer: This website contains general information directed to Florida residents. This firm does not intend to give legal advice through its pages and/or blog. If you need legal advice, we encourage you to find an attorney licensed in your state. This language on this website does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and this firm.

Lorien Smith Johnson

LSJohnson@LorienSJohnson.com

813-758-3492

Where there’s a will – or power of attorney –

There’s peace of mind.