What exactly does a power of attorney do?

Life is fragile and when a loved one is experiencing health complications, others are needed to carry the load and communicate with caretakers and legal entities. Going through this type of situation is often stressful and requires a new understanding of how to be involved and ensure your loved one gets the help they need. There are many types of decisions families face after a tragic accident has incapacitated a person or elderly complications set in.

Perhaps your loved one is in a fragile state of health and needs to rely on someone else to make conscious decisions. You will need the legal authority to make those decisions on their behalf. A power of attorney is a legal privilege granted when you take leadership in this area.

Types of decisions you can make

As a power of attorney, you can make decisions related to the incapacitated person’s finances, business, acquiring professional help and everyday affairs. Generally, a power of attorney will stand in for the loved one during an estate planning meeting and agree to final decisions that are agreed upon with an attorney.

Health care decisions

When granted healthcare power-of-attorney, you will be able to make serious medical decisions related to your loved one. This could include deciding to continue with life support, or to allow your loved one to pass away without it. You could be asked to consider and approve certain treatment options advised by the healthcare physician.

Undoubtedly, there are many serious decisions and factors that must be considered when acting as a power-of-attorney. It is a role that is to be taken very seriously and with much consideration for the highest good of the incapacitated loved one. There is help in making these decisions and going through the legal process involved. You are not alone.