Durable Power of Attorney
The terms durable power of attorney, advance directives, living will, durable power of attorney for health care are often interpreted differently in various states.
Generally, a durable power of attorney is an all encompassing term regarding your legal matters. The durable power of attorney can, in some states, provide that an individual you have identified serve on your behalf as a proxy for such matters as disposing of your property, paying bills, cashing your checks, or other financial or legal matters.
Some states limit durable power of attorney to medical care (called a durable power of attorney for medical care or health care) . In this case someone else that you have identified will make decisions for you should you become unable to make those decisions for yourself. A living will is a statement of your intentions about health care procedures but it does assign anyone else to make those decisions for you.
If you would like to examine the forms for your state that would allow you to assign someone to make medical decisions for you in the event that you cannot make those decisions for yourself (also known as an agent or proxy) just click on your state below.
Connecticut
Louisiana
(photo: jk5854)