Preparing a legally enforceable will and durable power of attorney is a great start but your estate plan may not be finished yet.

Your future health care requirements are a major consideration and greatly affect both your wellbeing and your finances.

So, the person (or people) you choose as your financial power of attorney will need to understand how you intend to finance your health care and may need to coordinate with other loved ones when the time comes.

It is important, therefore, to plan for this now by creating the necessary documentation to enable decision-making for the right individuals.

A health care power of attorney (PoA) can avoid frustration and family disputes if you lose the capacity to make healthcare decisions for yourself.

What is advance care planning in Kansas?

Your health care choices as you age are numerous and varied. Not everyone wants the same things as they grow old or become incapacitated. You should be in control of making these decisions while you can.

Advance care planning is the process by which you clearly communicate your wishes to trusted individuals via legally enforceable documentation.

This usually takes considerable thought and reflection beforehand – and discussion with those closest to you as well as your health providers.

Your advance care planning decisions will be affected by many factors, including your beliefs and values, your general health condition, and your financial position.

Advance care planning documentation can include not only your wishes regarding medical care, treatment choices, aged care, and whether you want to have life-sustaining treatments if necessary but also your wishes regarding the disposal of your remains (organ donation, etc.)

Without being specific about these details, family members may be left unsure and having to recall conversations in the past or just do what they think is best. This frequently leads to confusion, frustration, disputes, and delays.

By putting your wishes in writing, you can share your wishes with your family, physician, health care agent, and attorney.

What is a durable power of attorney for health care?

A durable power of attorney for health care is an important part of most people’s advance acre planning.

This document enables you to appoint a health care “proxy” to make health care decisions for you if and when you are unable to make these decisions for yourself.

Think of it as a “safety net” in case you become mentally incapacitated in the future: another trusted individual is authorized to sign paperwork that allows your health care wishes to be carried out.

The authorized individual may also be required to consult with your caregivers and decide on a plan for your care in line with what you have previously communicated.

How is this different from an advance care directive?

An advance care directive or “living will” is another essential advance care planning document that details your health care wishes in later life.

While a health care power of attorney allows you to nominate a trusted person to make decisions for you (your “health care proxy”), a living will helps you be specific about those wishes.