What is a Power of Attorney for Health Care/Living Will, and do I need one?
A Power of Attorney for Healthcare allows you to name a spouse/agent to make healthcare decisions for you in the event that you become disabled and cannot make those decisions for yourself, including, under what circumstances treatment should be discontinued if it appears the treatment is no longer beneficial to you. A Living Will is a similar document which directs the doctor to discontinue treatment under certain, specified circumstances if you are unable to direct the doctor yourself. At Slepian & Schwartz, L.L.C. we recommend that everyone have these documents prepared so that your wishes will be followed even when you are unable to communicate them yourself. Please note that under Georgia law, without formal legal guardianship or a Power of Attorney for Healthcare, one spouse cannot make healthcare decisions for the other.
