Do you know the difference between a Medical and Durable Power of Attorney?

What is the Difference Between a Medical and Durable Power of Attorney?

A Durable Power of Attorney is a written document that creates a fiduciary agency relationship between the person granting the authority and their agent, or attorney-in-fact, the person to whom the authority is granted.

By signing a durable power of attorney, you authorize another person to engage in specified business, property, financial and legal transactions on your behalf. It is called “durable” because it does continues to be effective if and when you become disabled or incapacitated.

A Medical Power of Attorney or Power of Attorney for Health Care, on the other hand, is a document that allows you to designate a trusted family member or friend to make medical and health care decisions on your behalf in the event you become physically or mentally incapable of making those decisions for yourself.

The person you designate to make medical decisions for you is called an agent or Patient Advocate. The agent is given broad authority to make any health care decisions you could have made if you were not incapacitated, unless you specifically restrict your agent’s authority.

Both documents are incredibly important to have.  You have the freedom and ability to choose who you want to make these decisions for you and to define when and how they do so.

Estate planning can be straightforward or complex but it is vital at every level and for many reasons.  It is wise for everyone to have an estate plan in place that is tailored for your specific needs and those of your family.  Don’t wait to engage an estate planning attorney to create and administer your estate plan.

Abraham | Law:  Experienced and Exceptional Estate Planning Representation

Michigan Estate Planning Attorney Matthew J. Abraham and ABRAHAM | LAW have been providing effective legal representation to individuals and businesses for more than 26 years.  If you have questions about estate planning or probate issues, you should call ABRAHAM LAW at 810-750-0440 or reach out through our online request to schedule an initial consultation.

As a Michigan estate planning attorney, Matthew Abraham engages in close and careful consultation with his clients so that he prepares documents that are custom fit for each client’s particular situation. Abraham Law prepares its clients’ estate planning documents so they will accurately and effectively speak to their wishes and goals.