What’s the difference between a living will and power of attorney?
The primary difference between power of attorneys and living wills is that a POA is designated to make decisions on your behalf. A living will on the other hand is simply a document that lists your medical preferences in certain scenarios. It can be referenced when...
Why should I have a power of attorney?
When Terri Schiavo fell into a coma in 1990, she didn’t have a will or a designated durable power of attorney, this would start an agonizing 15-year-old court process between Terri’s husband and Terri’s family about whether to let her live (on life support) or die...
What is a Power of Attorney?
There are three types of Power of Attorneys (POA) that you need to consider: Financial Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, and Durable Power of Attorney. Financial Power of Attorney A financial power of attorney lets you appoint a person to manage your...
Can a Medical Directive be overridden?
As long as you are sound of mind, you can change your medical directive at any time. You can even cancel it entirely if you wish. Be sure to alert your family, health care providers, power of attorney, and anyone else you choose that you’ve made changes. Can medical...
Can a Medical Power of Attorney be overridden?
The principal, or the person that the medical POA is assigned to, can terminate the arrangement at any time. Of course, if the principal is no longer sound of mind this will be taken into consideration by the court. People who can override the POA Other people can...
Medical Directive vs Medical Power of Attorney: What’s the difference?
Medical directives are often mistaken for medical power of attorneys, but there is a difference. For example, if you were in a car accident, the directive would help the doctors determine if you should be kept on life support. In the same scenario, if you had an...
What is an Advanced Directive?
Like living wills, a medical or advance directive is where legal instructions and preferences for medical care are recorded. Written directives are made to guide the choices of caregivers and medical professionals in the event that you become seriously injured,...
How to choose a Medical Power of Attorney
The most important thing to consider when selecting a medical power of attorney is whether or not you trust the person. They should be competent and have your best interest in mind. Many people will select a family member or close friend to be their medical power of...
Medical Power of Attorney vs Advance Directive: What’s the Difference?
Do you know what would happen if you were put on life support and unable to make your own medical decisions? A medical power of attorney and advance directives are both tools you can use to protect yourself in that exact situation. What is a Medical Power of Attorney?...
How to build an effective estate plan
You’ve probably heard plenty of horror stories about Grandpa Harvey or Great Aunt Agnes dying broke and alone in hospitals surrounded by strangers. While you can’t prevent every unfortunate event, here are some actionable tips to help you create an estate plan that...