Not everyone realizes how vulnerable they are when they turn 18 and become legal adults. All of a sudden, parents no longer automatically have the authority to make healthcare choices for their young adult children, nor can they typically access medical information without written permission from them.
Anyone over the age of 18 could end up hospitalized after a car crash or a sudden medical incident and be left at the mercy of standard practices at that medical facility due to the fact that their parents are no longer automatically empowered to make certain decisions on their behalf.
As a result, creating a health care directive concerning medical matters and naming a power of attorney is of the utmost importance for anyone who is a legal adult in Florida. Taking these steps can better ensure that a young adult’s wishes are honored in the event that they are incapacitated due to injury or illness. Here are just a few of the benefits associated with making this effort:
1. You can name someone you trust to make choices on your behalf
Your power of attorney and health care surrogate designation paperwork can give someone that you trust the power to act in your best interests in the event that you can no longer vocalize your own preferences.
2. You can take control over the care you receive
In the event of medical incapacitation, you can expect to receive a basic standard of care from any medical facility. If you have specific medical wishes about your care, such as opinions about life support or pain medication, you have an opportunity to explain those preferences in depth and to name someone to act to enforce those wishes.
3. You can prevent fighting among family members
Siblings, parents and other loved ones may have differing opinions about the right way to address a medical emergency. Disagreements could result and cause lasting damage to family relationships. If you take the time to provide clear instructions, you’ll minimize the possibility that your loved ones will end up fighting one another due to your medical issues.
Recognizing how vulnerable you are and creating an appropriate estate plan accordingly could benefit you in a variety of ways. As a result, it is important to treat the estate planning process with the respect and urgency it deserves.