One thing you may want to consider when writing an estate plan is using a medical power of attorney. In the future, it’s possible that you could become incapacitated and unable to make your own medical decisions. Someone still has to make those decisions on your behalf, and you use a medical power of attorney to decide who your agent will be.
There are many potential benefits of doing this, and everyone’s situation is unique. Let’s take a quick look at two of the main benefits below.
1. Decisions made in your best interests
First and foremost, choosing an agent means that you know someone else will be looking out for your best interests. They can talk to your medical team, learn about what treatment options there are, and consider other factors like your quality of life or the odds of a recovery.
You can also use a living will to make medical decisions in advance, such as when someone decides they don’t want to be kept on life support. But a power of attorney is a bit more flexible because your agent can make those decisions at the time that they become necessary.
2. Reducing family conflict
Another thing to consider is that medical emergencies for elderly individuals sometimes lead to family conflicts. Family members may not be able to agree on what medical decisions should be made or what the best course of action looks like.
If they have no guidance and no one has been given the authority to make these decisions, conflicts can become serious. But by using a medical power of attorney in advance, everyone knows exactly who is allowed to make these critical choices.
For these reasons and more, it’s important to carefully consider all of your legal options when creating an estate plan.
