This document allows you to appoint someone who may act in your name. The Person you appoint is known as an “Attorney in Fact”, who does not, in fact, have to be an attorney. The document allows someone to handle everything from finances at the bank to selling a home. It is a primary document for Nursing Home planning. The document can give the attorney in fact power immediately or after you become incompetent. You must, however, have the document in place, before you become incompetent.

A power of attorney is a very useful document. If you become incompetent, that is you cannot handle your own affairs, and there is not a power of attorney, then a guardian must be appointed. This is expensive long court process and the court examines many aspects of your life and the person who would be taking care of you.

A health care proxy is document that allows another person to make medical decisions for you, should you not be able to communicate those decisions. This document is often referred to as a living will. It is the document that says whether you would want to begin or continue life support. The person who makes the decisions for you is known as an agent. The agent must also be over 18 and cannot be your doctor.