Powers of Attorney & Living Wills
These documents allow you to choose who can make financial and medical decisions for you if you become unable to make those decisions yourself. They can also help guide your family and medical providers during a difficult time. These documents are used while you are living but unable to make decisions for yourself. While these documents may overlap in certain areas, each serves a different purpose and helps ensure your wishes are clearly documented.
What Is a Durable Power of Attorney?
This document states who will make your financial decisions if you are incapacitated, permanently or temporarily, and will also identify a guardian for minor or disabled children during your incapacity.
What Is a Medical Power of Attorney?
This document states who will make your medical decisions if you are incapacitated, permanently or temporarily, and will also provide guidance on certain decisions that you may make for yourself, such as life support, disposition of remains, and organ donation.
What Is a Living Will?
Melanie includes the living will with the Medical Power of Attorney, so there is only one document to manage for medical issues. This is where you identify your wishes for life support and palliative care.