A Health Care Proxy is a legal document that allows an individual, known as the “principal”, to appoint another person, known as an “agent”, to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so. The agent is authorized to speak with medical personnel, receive and review medical information, admit or discharge the principal from medical facilities, and consent to or refuse medical treatment based on the principal’s wishes. By designating a trusted individual, the Health Care Proxy ensures that medical care aligns with the principal’s values and preferences, even when they cannot communicate them directly.
Establishing a Health Care Proxy is an essential part of comprehensive estate planning, helping you plan for your personal well-being and medical care during your lifetime. This document provides clarity and direction, allowing medical providers to act quickly and confidently according to your values, while also reducing the uncertainty and potential conflict among family members. Although it is advisable to discuss one’s wishes with both your proxy and healthcare providers, the document itself provides the legal authority for those decisions. Ultimately, designating a trusted individual as your agent ensures that you maintain control over your medical care and that your voice is heard when it matters most.
To execute a Health Care Proxy, an individual must be at least eighteen years of age and of sound mind, and the document must be signed in the presence of two witnesses. Please contact D’Ambrosio LLP with any questions concerning how to complete a Health Care Proxy or to discuss which options may be best for you and your loved ones.
