Power of Attorney
and
Medical Directive
What Is A Power of Attorney?
A General Durable Power of Attorney allows the grantor to give legal
authority to a trusted relative or friend (the "agent") to act on the grantor's
behalf. The power of attorney, if drafted correctly, is the best planning tool to
address the grantor's possible future incapacity.
Why You Need A General Durable Power of Attorney?
1. You can appoint someone to act as your agent in the event of your
incapacity to:
a. Pay bills
b. Establish bank accounts
c. Borrow money
d. Sale and management of property
e. Purchase and maintain insurance
f. Access to documents
g. Pay taxes
h. Various other powers
2. The Power of attorney ends at your revocation of the power or the death of
the principal.
What Is An Advance Medical Directive?
An advance medical directive is a legal document in which you, the principal,
appoint an agent to make health care decisions for you should you be unable
to do so, or to carry out your wishes which are set our in the directive itself.
The Virginia Health Care Decisions Act: any competent adult may make a
written advance directive authorizing the providing, withholding, or
withdrawal of life-prolonging procedures in the event such a person should
have a terminal condition.
A person may appoint an agent to make health care decisions for the
declarant under the circumstances stated in the advance directive if the
declarant should be deteremined to be incapable of making an informed
decision.
The declarant is responsible for advising the physician of the existence of the
advance directive. The advance medical directive can be revoked at any time
by the declarant.



Elizabeth McMaster Attorney & Counselor at Law, PLC
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