Appointing a Durable Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is the written appointment of someone to handle matters for you, which may include legal, financial, or medical decisions. A power of attorney can be enacted while you are alive, such as when a person hires a debt negotiation lawyer to negotiate financial manners on his or her behalf, but the power of attorney usually ends when the person becomes incapacitated or dies.

In a living will, a power of attorney generally is authorized so that someone can make health care decisions for the testator when he or she is no longer able to make those decisions on their own. This special type of power of attorney is called a durable power of attorney. This person authorized to make the decisions is then responsible for deciding on health care options and carrying out the testator's wishes.

It may seem scary to appoint someone to control your decisions for you, but if you are ever incapacitated this person serves as your voice when you cannot speak for yourself. If you do not have a durable power of attorney and fall into a coma or otherwise aren't able to make decisions yourself, you risk being treated in a way that goes against your wishes. A durable power of attorney should be someone you trust who will express your medical care wishes and ensure that they are carried out as close to your specifications as possible.

To formally appoint a durable power of attorney, consider consulting with a living will lawyer. He or she can help you legally create the power of attorney and inform you of the details that you may want to consider when choosing someone to make these important decisions in your place.

Contact Us

For more information on appointing a durable power of attorney, please contact the experienced Austin living will attorneys of Slater, Kennon & Pugh LLP today at 512-338-1100.