When people are engaged in estate planning, they often do not think about who will make important decisions on their behalf while they are still living but unable to make decisions due to illness, injury or being incapacitated. Setting up powers of attorney in the event an incapacitating event occurs can help individuals make certain their wishes are followed.

There are three important types of powers of attorney that people should consider having in place. A health care power of attorney give a designated agent the power to make decisions regarding treatment for a person. This is not the same as a living will as it can encompass treatment needs in the event a person becomes incapacitated due to illness or injury.

In addition, people should consider drafting a HIPAA power of attorney. Even when people have power under a health care power of attorney, medical professionals may be unwilling to provide important health information to a designated agent due to medical confidentiality laws. If an agent has a HIPAA power of attorney, this can be avoided.

Finally, a durable power of attorney that specifies who will make financial or business decisions on a person’s behalf can be very important. Durable powers of attorney are flexible and can be used for a single transaction or for a broad variety of financial and business needs.

Powers of attorney can help people ensure they have some control over their health care, financial and business needs in the event they become incapacitated. When people are planning how to handle their assets, they may wish to speak with their estate planning attorney about drafting powers of attorney documents.

Source: Forbes, “Three Powers of Attorney Everyone Needs“, Mark Eghrari, November 14, 2014