What to Look for in a Power of Attorney

When drafting your will, don’t forget to name a power of attorney. This person will be responsible for making health and medical decisions for you if you can’t make them yourself. Having a power attorney you trust can bring you a lot of peace and mind. Because this job comes with a lot of responsibility, you shouldn’t choose just anyone. Here are some characteristics you should look for in a power of attorney.

Trustworthy

When selecting a power of attorney, make sure that this person is someone you can completely trust. Assess the person’s character and values and determine if he or she can be trusted to follow your wishes. After all, this person will be making important decisions that will affect your life.

Knowledge of Medical Processes

While a power of attorney doesn’t have to have a medical degree, he or she should at least have a basic understanding of how medical processes work. This person should know how to ask doctors the right questions and not be afraid to challenge treatments that go against your wishes. A power of attorney should also be willing to research your health condition and learn as much as he or she can about it.

Location

Ideally, the person you choose as your power of attorney should live fairly close to you and the hospital/doctor’s office you go to. That way, he or she can get there quickly in the event of an emergency. If the power of attorney lives in another state, he or she might not be able to get to you quickly enough in a time of need.

Attention to Detail

As you can probably imagine, being a power of attorney requires many details. That’s why it’s essential to choose someone who carefully pays attention to every last detail and doesn’t leave anything out. You don’t want to select someone who carelessly skims over details and doesn’t double-check his or her work.

Good Communication Skills

A power of attorney must communicate your wishes clearly to both your family members and medical team. Therefore, he or she should be able to explain things clearly and not get flustered in stressful situations. This person should get to the point fairly quickly and answer any questions that are thrown his or her way.

If you need additional help choosing a power of attorney or have other questions about your will, consult with an experienced estate planning lawyer in Melbourne, FL. He or she can address all your questions and concerns and give you valuable advice.

Thanks to the Law Offices of Arcadier, Biggie & Wood for their insight into estate planning and a power of attorney.