What Does The Medical Term Power Of Attorney Mean

Health care power of attorney law and legal definition a health care power of attorney hcpoa is a legal document that allows an individual to designate another person to make medical decisions for him or her when he or she cannot make decisions for himself or herself.

What does the medical term power of attorney mean. A power of attorney generally is terminated when the principal dies or becomes incompetent but the principal can revoke the power of attorney at any time. Do not take this decision lightly and make sure you have all of the. A medical power of attorney is one kind of durable power of attorney. Medical power of attorney example.

That term should be distinguished from the term attorney at law in the united states an attorney at law is a solicitor who is also licensed to be an advocate in a particular jurisdiction. A medical power of attorney medical poa or health poa is a legal document you use to name an agent and give them the authority to make tough medical decisions for you. A power of attorney can be a powerful document yet it is often the last thing people think about in their estate planning. Medical power of attorney.

A medical power of attorney gives your agent the right to make health care decisions for you. A medical power of attorney is one type of health care directive that is a document that set out your wishes for health care if you are ever too ill or injured to speak for yourself. A special type of power of attorney that is used frequently is the durable power of attorney. A medical poa is different from a normal poa which is more general or a financial poa which is similar but for your money.

An attorney in fact may be a layperson and is authorized to act pursuant to the powers granted by a power. The term attorney in fact is used in many jurisdictions instead of the term agent. A generic poa document that does not contain any limitations typically gives an agent broad power over medical or financial decisions. However there are still a few things that an agent cannot do.

Fortunately powers of attorney usually aren t difficult to prepare. A general durable power of attorney empowers the agent to make financial decisions and usually does not give the person the right to make decisions about health care. One of the fundamental rules governing an agent s power is that they are expected to act in their principal s best interest.