What Documents are Needed?
Health care documents vary by state, and it’s important to understand the specific requirements in Indiana and Michigan. Documents can include a combination of Health Care Power of Attorney, Appointment of Health Care Representative, Living Will, and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC). Our attorneys can help you create the right combination of documents to ensure your health care decisions are carried out according to your wishes.
What is a Living Will?
In Indiana and Michigan, a Living Will states your wishes with respect to artificially supplied nutrition and hydration (tube feedings) if you are terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state. When you sign a Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney, you should deliver copies to your physicians and to those individuals that you have named to act on your behalf. This is an opportunity to discuss with them what your wishes are with respect to health care and end of life treatment.
Things to Consider
You should consider who to name as your health care representative. Generally, this would be a spouse or an adult child. Keep in mind that the health care power of attorney also acts as a HIPAA release, meaning that the person holding the power has access to your health care records. A guide to help with this discussion is the “Five Wishes” document found at https://www.agingwithdignity.org/. Although this document is not legally binding, it is an excellent framework for discussion.
If you have not established Power of Attorney and a Living Will or would like to update existing documents, call one of our experienced estate planning attorneys at 574.232.3538 for an appointment.
