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Health Care Proxy
This is a written document where you appoint someone you trust to make medical decisions for you if you were unable to make these for yourself.
Medical decisions would include:
- If someone needed surgery or medication - upon the advice of a doctor
- Whether to withhold surgery or medication - upon the advice of a doctor
- Choice of doctor, medical personnel, hospital or nursing home on your
behalf.
- Providing for your residence, i.e., hospital, nursing home, hospice, or similar facility to be sure your needs are taken care of.
- Typically a back up is also chosen just in case the person you choose
is unavailable or unable to act on your behalf.
- A hospital or doctor will often ask for this document so that they know
who they can talk to regarding medical decisions on your behalf.
- You will need to sign and date the document.
- Typically you will also need two witnesses. Some states also require
that the document be notarized. Although not mandatory, witness signatures and notary are strongly suggested.
- The witnesses and the notary will need to see you sign the document
and will sign as well.
- Directions are provided regarding regulations for executing the document.
- Easy step-by-step process to complete the document. Each place where
you need to fill in has been numbered and directions provided.
- Easy to understand.
- If you decide that you no longer want the health care proxy, you simply revoke or cancel it, in writing and let everyone know that it has been cancelled.
Copyright 2005 The Law Office of Philip C. Amaru