What is a healthcare proxy?

A healthcare proxy is the legal document that often becomes effective when a person (i.e., the principal) becomes incapacitated due to illness or injury. The main objective of a healthcare proxy is to meet any medical needs that may arise if the principal is incapable of taking care of him or herself.

Who needs a healthcare proxy?

Some people with pre-existing conditions or a degenerative disease often have a real need for a healthcare proxy in order to name their agent. In any case, a healthcare proxy is a straightforward way to document a person’s wishes in the event that they can no longer express them.

What should I include in my healthcare proxy?

The purpose of a healthcare proxy is to give the principal the opportunity to clearly express their healthcare wishes as well as name their agent. Examples include any of the following: Preferences regarding health and wellness The principal's choice of healthcare providers Instructions regarding end-of-life care The rejection of certain medical treatments

What's the difference between a healthcare proxy and a power of attorney?

Although they have much in common, unlike a healthcare proxy, a power of attorney allows for the management of financial affairs, the purchase of life insurance, the operations of business interests, among other non-healthcare-related decisions and transactions. Use LegalNature's power of attorney form to easily to draft a thorough and legally sound power of attorney.

Who can be named as agent in the healthcare proxy?

In choosing who will be your proxy, one of the most important elements to consider is trust. After all, the person you name will be legally authorized to represent you and speak on your behalf regarding any health-related matter. Also, it is important that the person you name has views similar to your own on matters such as religion, blood transfusions, resuscitation procedures, and life-support. That said, our healthcare proxy allows the principal to limit the proxy's powers by explicitly rejecting any unwanted medical procedures.

Healthcare Proxy

A healthcare proxy allows a person, known as the "principal," to give someone else, known as the "proxy" or "agent,", the right to make medical decisions on their behalf in case of sickness or disability.

LegalNature's healthcare proxy form includes important optional features, such as appointing a guardian over the principal’s personal estate and naming a primary physician.

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Healthcare Proxy

How To
Help Guide
FAQS

When to use a healthcare proxy

To make sure a specific choice of healthcare is respected
You want to give someone access to your medical records
You want someone to speak to your doctors on your behalf
You want to name a person you trust to make critical healthcare decisions

Create your document in 3 steps

Complete the form

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Download and print

Rest easy knowing you will be cared for

Our healthcare proxy form allows you to name someone who has your best interests at heart as your agent.

Express Your Wishes

Our healthcare proxy provides you with the opportunity to clearly state your wishes in case you can no longer communicate due to illness or disability.

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Define Your Terms

Our healthcare proxy form will allow you to set and define any specific limitations on the agent's powers. Our form provides all the guidance throughout.

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How to create a healthcare proxy in 4 steps

Communicate Your Wishes

We recommend that you always discuss your healthcare proxy with your agent and any other parties named in the document. This might include one or more named guardians or physicians. This will help ensure that your wishes are clearly communicated and understood at the time of signing.

Gather Basic Information

Provide information for each party. Both the principal and the proxy will need to provide their name, phone number, and address. Our healthcare proxy form also allows you to name an alternate agent that will take the first agent's place in case he or she is unable to fulfill the required duties.

Enter and Define the Terms

Our healthcare proxy form will allow you to set and define any specific limitations on the proxy's powers. For example, you may limit the proxy's authority to admit the principal to certain facilities, such as a nursing home or a mental health clinic. Also, our form provides you with the flexibility to set a termination date for the agent's powers.

Review and Sign

Next, review your document and make any final edits or clarifications. Follow your state's witnessing requirements when signing. These are included with the instructions that will be attached to your completed document. Most states require either a notary or two disinterested individuals to witness the principal sign.

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