Medical Power of Attorney

Choose a Healthcare Proxy for Your Estate Plan: Call Hunt Law Firm at (832) 781-0320

A sudden, serious illness or injury can change your life at any time, leaving you unable to make healthcare decisions on your own. For this reason, it’s wise to establish a medical power of attorney, or healthcare proxy, to do so on your behalf. A medical power of attorney designates this individual. Depending on what you decide to include in your medical power of attorney, that person can make any and all healthcare decisions on your behalf, including applying for public benefits. This person should be aware of your values, and the documents establish your trust in them to make decisions in your place – it’s not enough to tell your brother the you don’t want to be on life support, or to “pull the plug.” You should have an official medical power of attorney to enforce your wishes regarding whether you would like life-sustaining treatment in the event you have an irreversible condition and without such treatment, you would die.

When Should I Appoint a Healthcare Proxy?

Appointing a healthcare proxy is an important step every individual should take. Without an enforceable medical power of attorney, Texas statute generally designates individuals in order of priority for who should be able to make your medical decisions. The prioritized list sanctioned by law starts (in order) with the patient’s spouse, their adult children, the patient’s parents, or another individual clearly identified to act in your best interests, such as a member of the clergy or your closest living relative.

While this list may seem fine to you at first glance, for many, it is not what they would choose, given their unique family dynamics. Even if you are fine with the list, there are potential situations where you might still want a document in place dictating your specific wishes for end-of-life medical care. Bottom line, the only way you can make sure the right people will make your medical decisions is to have an established, enforceable medical power of attorney in place.

Seek Legal Guidance for a Medical Power of Attorney in Katy

Life can change suddenly and tragically at any time. In the unlucky event you are affected by one, it’s important to ensure you have designated a trusted loved one to make your healthcare decisions if you are unable to do so. Don’t leave this decision to the generalized laws of Texas statutes. Hunt Law Firm estate planning attorneys can customize your healthcare proxy needs. If you have recently moved to Texas and have a healthcare proxy or surrogate designed in another state, we can review it to make sure it is enforceable under Texas law.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact our office to set up a consultation with by calling (832) 781-0320.