Living Will Overview

• Competent adults can execute a living will to designate a person to make medical decisions should they become unable to make the decisions for themselves. They remove the burden placed on family members who might be forced to make the medical choices. A living will ensures that your rights are protected and that medical decisions are made in a manner which you have set forth ahead of time.
  
  

Power of Attorney

• A Power of Attorney (POA) is a document that appoints an individual to make financial decisions for you should you not be able to make such decisions for yourself or if you no longer want to make the decisions. It is a necessary tool to ensure your financial well-being during times of medical incapacitation. The person you name in the POA will have the right to use your bank accounts, sell any investments and dispose of any real estate.
  
  

Considerations of a Living Will

• A living will becomes part of your medical record. Should you change your mind, the living will can be terminated at any time. It is important to designate a person who fully understands your medical wishes should an accident or condition arise that leaves you unable to make the decisions for yourself. Since the living will will govern life-sustaining methods, the person you designate must know your explicit wishes in such circumstances.
  
  

Considerations of a POA

• The person you designate with your POA will have complete control of your finances, so you should never appoint a person which you have any doubts about. A POA can be used even in times that you are mentally or physically able. You should consult with your attorney about your choice of who you will designate.