What is a Durable Power of Attorney/Physicians Directive?
We recommend that you grant durable power of attorney for property management to a trusted individual. This will enable that individual to manage the assets in your estate, should you become incapacitated before death. Secondly, we recommend that you also grant durable power of attorney for health care decisions to a trusted individual; this will enable that individual to make health care decisions for you, should you become unable to do so on your own. Generally, married couples will name their spouses for both duties and one or two alternates in case the spouse is unable to serve. In addition to the durable power of attorney for health care, many people wish to establish a physician’s directive, which sets forth your wishes for providing critical health care in the event that you find yourself terminally ill with no hope of recovery.
