Power of Attorney

What would you do if you had a medical event and were not capable of making a decision as to your basic health care? Maybe you are traveling and remember you have a bill due today. Perhaps it is difficult for you to get out and about to make it to the bank or just conduct business. All of these are scenarios in which a durable power of attorney (DPOA) for medical and financial decisions could be useful.

 

Should you fail to have a DPOA and then experience a medical event where you are no longer capable of directing your own medical and financial decisions, then you will likely end up in a court-appointed guardianship/conservatorship. In addition to being costly, you would have no input on WHO would be your guardian/conservator. With a DPOA, you would be able to direct who would be your guardian/conservator, and better still, likely avoid having a guardian/conservator in the first place.

 

Your child will likely turn age 18 before he/she is out of your home. Even though you are still paying for his/her healthcare, your medical provider is no longer able to share with you his/her healthcare information. In addition to your own durable power of attorney, it is not a bad ideal for your adult child to have his/ her own DPOA.