You may have heard the term Healthcare Power of Attorney, but do you know what it’s for? What about a Last Will and Testament? Should everyone have one? Below, we answers some common questions about these documents. This will help you better plan for your future, and your well being.
Power of Attorney
A healthcare power of attorney is a document that designates someone to make healthcare decisions for you. It is used if you become too ill to speak for yourself, or incapacitated. The person that you select as your POA should be someone close to you, who you trust. It may be a good idea to have an honest conversation with them, or leave clear instructions in the instrument, regarding your wishes. This document is helpful in a crisis because it makes clear who is authorized to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Wills
A Will is a document that determines where your estate will be distributed after you have died. If you want to leave specific items to certain family or friends, a will can do that. If you want to leave money to charity, a will can do that.
What if you already have a Will, but it is very old? A Will will remain valid unless you create another will revoking it, but you can update a few provisions using a document called a codicil. However, if you really want to overhaul your wishes in your Will, it may be better to make a new one entirely. If you do not have a will, and die intestate, the laws of Pennsylvania will determine the distribution of your estate (property).
If you have questions about a Will, or a Healthcare Power of Attorney, or a Personal Injury action, please call the attorneys at Graham & Mauer today. We offer free consultations, and are available via phone and online during the closures for the covid19 pandemic. You can reach us at 610-933-3333 or 800-218-0808.
