You have the power to elect which healthcare choices your representative (legally called your “agent”) is allowed to make for you. You may allow your representative to make all your decisions for you, or you may specify which procedures or treatments you wish to be carried out.
Requirements
Your California Power of Attorney for Health Care form must be signed by you and two witnesses. If you are unable to sign the form, a witness may sign for you in your presence and with your permission. Neither of the signing witnesses may be an employee of any of your health care providers. One of the witnesses must be outside your family, and must not benefit from your estate after your death.
When Your California Power of Attorney for Health Care Goes Into Effect
The California Power of Attorney for Health Care will go into effect if and when your primary care physician determines that you are no longer able to make competent decisions about your health care.
Making Your Wishes Known
Your California Power of Attorney for Health Care authorizes your representative to make any and/or all decisions regarding your health care in accordance with your wishes and within the bounds of the law. If you would like your representative to carry out specific instructions, you should put those instructions in writing to make sure they are undertaken to your satisfaction.
Treatments and Procedures
If you do not limit the health care decisions your representative can make for you, your representative will have the authority, should the need arise, to make decisions for you on the following:
California Power of Attorney for Health Care Form
There is no mandatory format for the California Power of Attorney for Health Care form, but a recommended format is available online. The form may be modified by the patient before signing. If you have additional questions about your decision to grant power of attorney for health care in California, consult an experienced California estate planning attorney or California elder law attorney today.