Can family members make health care decisions for someone who does not have an advance directive?
ANSWER Several states expressly designate default “surrogates,” typically family members in order or kinship, to make some or all health care decisions. Even without such laws, most doctors and health facilities routinely rely on family involvement in decision making, although disagreement among family members can easily undermine this. In such situations, patients risk having decisions made contrary to their wishes, or by persons they would not choose.
Related Questions
- Can family members make health care decisions if there is no agent appointed through a health care power of attorney or a court-appointed guardian?
- Can family members make health care decisions for someone who does not have an advance directive?
- Who makes the health care decisions if there is no Advance Health Care Directive?
