What is a durable power of attorney for healthcare?

A durable power of attorney (DPOA) for healthcare is a legal document in Washington state that allows you to appoint someone (called an attorney-in-fact or agent) to make healthcare decisions for you if you become unable to do so for yourself. This document is sometimes referred to as a “health care power of attorney” or simply a “medical power of attorney”. The document is created under the laws of the state of Washington. You may designate a person to make healthcare decisions on your behalf, including decisions about your medical care, mental health care, living arrangement, and other personal matters. You may also choose to specify the types of medical treatments and medications the attorney-in-fact may or may not authorize on your behalf. Under a durable power of attorney for healthcare, the authority of the attorney-in-fact is usually limited to healthcare matters. This means that the attorney-in-fact cannot make any decisions regarding your estate or financial matters, as these would be handled under a durable power of attorney for property. The durable power of attorney for healthcare is an important estate planning document. It ensures that someone close to you and familiar with your wishes can make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. It also allows you to designate someone who you trust to make decisions consistent with your values and beliefs, while abiding by the laws of the state of Washington.

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What is a durable power of attorney for healthcare?

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