What You Need to Know About Illinois Power of Attorney for Health Care
Illinois Power of Attorney for Health Care is a legal document that allows a person to appoint someone else to make decisions regarding their health care in the event they become unable to make those decisions themselves. This document is an important part of estate planning and can provide peace of mind for individuals and their families. Here’s what you need to know about Illinois Power of Attorney for Health Care.
Who Can Create an Illinois Power of Attorney for Health Care?
Any individual who is at least 18 years old and of sound mind can create an Illinois Power of Attorney for Health Care. The person creating the document is known as the “principal,” and the person appointed to make decisions on their behalf is known as the “agent.” The agent must also be at least 18 years old and should be someone the principal trusts to make decisions in their best interest.
What Types of Decisions Can the Agent Make?
The agent appointed through the Illinois Power of Attorney for Health Care can make any health care decisions that the principal is unable to make themselves. This can include decisions related to medical treatments, surgical procedures, and end-of-life care. The agent can also make decisions related to the principal’s long-term care, including decisions related to nursing home or hospice care.
How Is the Document Created?
The Illinois Power of Attorney for Health Care can be created by completing a form that is available online or through an attorney. The form must be signed by the principal in the presence of two adult witnesses or a notary public. The agent does not need to sign the document.
When Does the Document Become Active?
The Illinois Power of Attorney for Health Care becomes active when the principal is unable to make decisions regarding their own health care. This may be due to illness, injury, or other circumstances that make the individual unable to communicate their wishes.
Can the Agent Make Decisions Against the Principal’s Wishes?
The agent appointed through the Illinois Power of Attorney for Health Care must make decisions in accordance with the principal’s wishes. If the principal has not expressed their wishes in the document, the agent is expected to make decisions based on what they believe is in the principal’s best interest. However, the agent cannot make decisions that go against the principal’s wishes.
Conclusion
Illinois Power of Attorney for Health Care is an important document that can provide peace of mind for individuals and their families. By appointing an agent to make health care decisions on their behalf, individuals can ensure that their wishes are respected and that they receive the care they want, even if they are unable to communicate those wishes themselves. If you are considering creating an Illinois Power of Attorney for Health Care, it is important to seek the advice of an attorney to ensure that the document is created in accordance with Illinois law and accurately reflects your wishes.
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