A healthcare proxy is a legal document that allows a person to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions for them in the event that they become incapacitated. The person appointed to make these healthcare decisions, known as an agent, can be given broad ability to make almost any healthcare decision, or their authority can be limited if the document specifically lists the types of decisions they can make.
If a person becomes incapacitated without having a healthcare proxy in place, a Guardian may be appointed by the Court to make healthcare decisions. Different family members can petition the Court to try and be appointed Guardian. A Court-appointed Guardian may not be as closely aligned with the incapacitated party’s healthcare desires as someone that could have been officially appointed as an agent through a healthcare proxy.
This shows the importance of having a healthcare proxy in place before it becomes necessary. Few people ever anticipate becoming incapacitated, but when it does happen, having the proper legal protections in place that allow an agent of your choosing to make healthcare decisions for you can quite literally save your life. The financial and medical consequences of leaving these decisions to a Court-appointed Guardian can be severe. Do not delay, and do not leave things up to chance - connect with an MCV Law Estate Planning lawyer to learn just how practical, and affordable, your customized healthcare proxy can be.