Will County Lawyers for Creating a Power of Attorney for Health Care

Illinois Estate Planning Attorneys

You have the right to make decisions about the health and medical care you receive and Illinois law expressly acknowledges that right. There may come a time, however, when you are no longer capable of making such decisions of your own accord. To prepare for that possibility, you can formally establish your wishes regarding treatment by creating a power of attorney for health care. At the Davi Law Group, our attorneys understand the importance of planning ahead and are equipped to help you define health care desires that are both reasonable and customized to meet your needs.

Understanding a Power of Attorney

The Illinois Power of Attorney Act (755 ILCS 45/1-4) allows a person, known as the principal, to use a written instrument called a power of attorney to designate an agent to act on his or her behalf. The agent is granted authority to make decisions for the principal regarding property, finances, or health care. Our team of skilled lawyers will provide the legal guidance you need to ensure the necessary paperwork is properly drafted, witnessed, and signed so that your wishes will be carried out as specified.

Establishing a power of attorney can be a critical component of a comprehensive estate plan. Powers of attorney for health care, specifically, are often used in conjunction with living wills to allow the principal to maintain the highest level of control over health-related decisions despite potential incapacitation. The experienced estate planning attorneys at the Davi Law Group will explain all of your available options and assist you in choosing the appropriate instruments for your unique situation.

Choosing the Right Health Care Options

If you were to become incapacitated without an advance directive, your family and doctors are likely to struggle with providing you care in accordance with your wishes. By developing an effective estate plan which includes health care provisions such as a power of attorney, much of the possible uncertainty can be eliminated.

It is important, however, to select an agent carefully, ensuring that the person you choose is ready, willing, and able to make health care decisions on your behalf. The agent you appoint will be responsible for:

• Acting in your best interest and good faith;
• Fully complying with your expressed desires;
• Keeping an account of all actions taken on your behalf;
• Accounting for health-related finances;
• Maintaining appropriate documentation;
• Cooperating with health care providers; and
• Supporting the general terms of your estate plan.

You will also want to be sure that your agent will be able to work in cooperation with your executor, trustees, other powers of attorney, and any other individuals tasked with carrying out your estate planning directives.

Call Us Today at 815-582-4901

To learn more about utilizing powers of attorney to their full advantage in your estate plan, contact the Davi Law Group. We invite you to take advantage of our no-charge introductory consultation so that you can meet our attorneys and understand our approach. You will receive an honest assessment of your situation, and we can help find the course of action that best suits your needs. We are proud to serve Will County and the rest of the greater Chicagoland area. Financing options are available.