Health Care Proxy
The health care proxy is a very important document and it needs some very serious study before an individual signs it. The document gives someone else the authority to make decisions for you concerning your health care treatment, etc.. This authority gives them the right to provide or remove life sustaining equipment or treatment, unless you state otherwise in the proxy. You must make the choice wisely and make sure the proxy is exactly as you want it before you become unable to make the decisions. The health care includes any treatments, medications, or procedure to treat your mental or physical condition. The proxy takes affect when your doctor feels that you are no longer able to make the decisions for yourself. The agent you choose to speak for you has to be over 18 years old and can be a family member or friend. If you choose a doctor to make the decisions for you and be your agent, it can not be the same doctor to give you treatment. The proxy is not a requirement, it is just a choice of the individual to maybe stop any confusion if and when the time comes and an agent to speak for you might become necessary. Keep in mind that if you choose a friend instead of a family member, it might cause an uproar among those involved. But you do need to choose someone you can trust and someone who you know will carry out your wishes. You can also write on the proxy your wishes as far as organ and/or tissue donation is concerned. Your wishes should all be written on the proxy before you sign it so there is no questions about it later on. The proxy also needs to be put in a safe place or in the hands of someone you know you can trust.
You can also choose an alternate agent in case the original agent cannot make the decisions for you or if the agent needs assistance in making a decision. The agent or alternate agent can not be the ones to sign the proxy as your witnesses. It has to be someone else. You do not need a lawyer to fill out a health care proxy. You only need two witnesses to witness your signature when you sign it. You can download a proxy form online if they are allowed in your state. Some forms may vary from state to state so make sure you have one that will be allowed in your state. You do not need the proxy notarized either. You can discuss the proxy with someone if you want to if you are not sure if you think you need one or not. It is up to you and is not a law or requirement that you have one.
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