Healthcare Power of Attorney Lawyer Providing Services for Clients in Forsyth County, GA

Imagining yourself becoming incapacitated is not something most people like to do, but it can be a critical part of estate planning. When preparing for the future, it is important to keep in mind that you may face situations where you are ill or injured to the point that you are not able to make decisions regarding your own medical treatment. A health care power of attorney (POA), if you have created one ahead of time, can work with health care providers to give you the care you need. The medical POA is different from a financial power of attorney that authorizes an individual to make decisions about investments and bank accounts. Without a health care power of attorney, no other individual will have this medical power. A health care power of attorney can also be useful for someone who is young or mentally unable to make medical decisions.

Whatever the reason for your needing a health care POA, you should have a trusted attorney like Mike Bascom at Bascom Law, P.C.. Attorney Bascom understands the nuances of Georgia estate planning law and can give you the legal counsel you need about these important matters. He believes that estate planning is about more than just money – it is about relationships and protecting those we love. He will listen compassionately to your desires throughout the process, ensuring that you understand all of the legal decisions you will be making. When you need a power of attorney or any other estate planning document, please reach out to us for a free consultation at 770-285-5493.

Why Do I Need a Health Care Power of Attorney?

Your health decisions are important legal matters that cannot be taken lightly. If you are unable to make such decisions for yourself, you will need to have legal documents in place that allow another individual to work with health care professionals on your behalf. Should you become sick, unconscious, or mentally incapacitated, this person is authorized to give instructions for you. Without a designated power of attorney, doctors will act according to their protocol with no regard for your wishes.

Furthermore, in Georgia, laws provide for a written document that combines the medical power of attorney with a living will. This is significant because the living will allows you to offer instructions based on your wishes end of life decisions. Therefore, you can have the peace of mind that your healthcare power of attorney will know exactly how to carry out his or her duties in the way that you instruct.

You may also choose to give medical power of attorney rights to a selected individual on behalf of your child if you are going to be away from them for an extended period. The POA for your child can be in preparation for your sudden death or illness as well as for planned events such as a cruise or vacation, military deployment, or out-of-town job. In these scenarios, there could be times when you cannot be reached, and someone might need to make medical decisions for your child if they have an emergency. Meeting with a lawyer to fill out the power of attorney documents is a very wise decision to prepare for such events. With the law firm at Bascom Law, P.C., you know you are working with a friendly attorney who has a vast knowledge of Georgia estate law. We will work closely with you to develop the legal documents you need to prepare for your future, so reach out to us today for a free consultation.

How Do I Choose a Health Care Power of Attorney?

It can be overwhelming when trying to decide how to select a power of attorney for your future medical needs or those of your loved one. These documents give the individual the power to make important medical decisions on your or your loved one’s behalf, so you will want to choose carefully. Your medical power of attorney should be a responsible adult who knows you well and understands your wishes regarding what medical treatments you would or would not want if you were incapacitated. We often advise that people selecting a healthcare POA choose from one of the following:

• Your spouse or partner
• Your parent
• An adult child
• Another close family member
• A close friend

We are happy to work with you through this process and help you identify the best individual for your power of attorney. With our years of legal experience, we know what a difficult choice this is, and we can give counsel on what aspects to consider when assigning a POA. Some people wonder if they should choose multiple individuals to take power of attorney, but this is generally not advisable. We find that having just one POA makes things simpler as there are no conflicting points of view about your medical care should the need arise. We do recommend list alternate successors in case your chosen agent can’t serve.

There are many items to consider when choosing a power of attorney, so the easiest way to work with you on making this decision is to meet in person so we can discuss the details of your situation with you. Lawyer Mike Bascom takes the time to listen to his clients carefully to understand their unique needs and wishes. He has the experience necessary to make him an excellent ally in all of your estate planning endeavors.

What is the Process of Designating a Health Care Power of Attorney?

The first step to designating your medical power of attorney is to speak with an experienced power of attorney lawyer, so your documents contain all of the protection you need for your future. A legal professional can also advise you on how to select the best POA for your situation and your family. Should you need any other aspects of an estate plan, such as a will or trusts, a Georgia attorney can also be a great resource.

When you have consulted with a professional and are ready to complete the power of attorney document, your lawyer can help you fill out these forms in a way that matches your wishes for your future. Many states provide fill-in-the-blank forms that can appear deceptively simple. You should always work with an attorney so you can be sure your needs are met through your POA document.

After these forms have been completed, you can begin the process of distributing the documents to individuals and parties who may need to use them. For example, the person who is your POA should have a copy, as well as any health care providers who may need the information in the future. You may also wish for your local hospital or other medical facilities in the Atlanta area to retain copies for their use should you need to be admitted. If you have questions about who you should give a copy of this document, or any other questions about the process, you should consult your trusted legal representative. Contact us today for a free consultation regarding your power of attorney needs.

Is a Health Care Power of Attorney Different from a Living Will?

In general, in the United States, a health care power of attorney is different from a living will. While medical power of attorney can make decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated, a living will specifies your wishes as to how your medical treatment should be carried out. However, in the state of Georgia, changes were made to the law in 2007 that allowed a living will and a medical power of attorney document to be combined into one form known as an Advance Directive.

The advance directive document exists to designate one person as the power of attorney while simultaneously specifying what exact medical treatments you want to be performed for you (or not performed) should you become incapacitated. A Georgia law firm like Bascom Law, P.C. will be able to help you prepare an advance directive for any Georgia healthcare services you may want. Remember that if you do not have these documents prepared ahead of time, doctors will not know your preference in regard to treatment, and they will go forward with their protocol no matter what your wishes are.

Please reach out to us to speak with our legal team and begin the process of developing your power of attorney or advance directive documents today. We are happy to serve clients in Atlanta, GA, and surrounding communities, such as those in Forsyth County, Cherokee County, Dawson County, Cobb County, Gwinnett County, Fulton County, and Dekalb County. Lawyer Mike Bascom is licensed in Florida as well, so give us a call today.

Can Our Health Care Power of Attorney Lawyer Help You?

When preparing for the difficult time of your death or incapacity, you may feel overwhelmed and concerned about the best way to protect your loved ones. In his years of experience in the practice of law, lawyer Mike Bascom has found that estate planning for many people goes beyond financial matters. This is perhaps most true when it comes to appointing a health care representative who will have power of attorney for you. The individual you choose will work with your doctor and hospital to make sure your medical treatment is aligned with your desires.

Your medical power of attorney holds a great deal of responsibility, and it is equally important that the document be designed and executed according to Georgia law. Our legal team will work with you to assist you as you go through these tricky decisions. We will listen compassionately to your desires for your family to ensure that all of your estate planning is prepared appropriately. We understand that these decisions will affect the lives of your family, your children, parents, and other close relatives, and we will not rest until your future is protected in the best way possible. Please reach out to us at 770-285-5493, so we can meet with you for a free consultation in our convenient Cumming office.