What is a Living Will?

In Maryland, a living will, also called an advance directive, allows you to specify what sort of care you want if your doctors conclude you are going to die very soon (“terminally ill”). Do you want all measures taken to prolong life? Would you rather avoid what you perceive is a pointless extension of your life since you are going to die soon thereafter anyway? These same questions can be answered in the event that you were to experience a medical emergency such as a heart attack and you were in a permanent coma or in the latter stages of Alzheimer’s. Refusing to intervene medically in those circumstances is also termed “DNR” or do not resuscitate.

What is a Health Care Power of Attorney?

If you are unconscious and in a hospital, who will decide the medical care you will receive?

Typically, next of kin would serve in that role. But what if there is a difference of opinion among your loved ones? Who will then make the decision? If you have not made a selection of a representative or there is a conflict among your next of kin, the realistic answer is that the doctors will. You can avoid this result by signing a Health Care Power of Attorney which appoints individuals in the order of your choosing to make health care decisions on your behalf.

Do You Have a Power of Attorney? Is it up-to-date?

A financial power of attorney is a document which allows someone else to act on your behalf if you are sick or out of the country. This power can be used to pay your bills and access your bank account, for instance. 

When you hear the term “attorney”, you probably think of a lawyer (also known as an attorney at law). The term actually means “representative” and the power of attorney document allows you to select people of your choice to make decisions for you. 

If you don’t have a “power of attorney” document and necessary financial decisions must be made when you are unable to make them yourself, your loved ones or others will need to go to court to have a guardian appointed. That will result in needless expense, aggravation and delay.