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What Should I Do With My Health Care Proxy Once I Sign It?

Once you have signed the form, it is recommended that you make at least four copies. Keep the original yourself, and give copies to your Agent, Alternate agent, your physician, and anyone else who may be involved in treatment decisions if you ever become unable to make decisions for yourself. Copies of the form are as legally valid as the original. You may designate anyone over 18 years of age to be your Agent or Alternate Agent, except the administrator, operator or employee of a health care facility, such as a hospital or nursing home where you are a patient or resident, unless that person is related to you by blood, marriage or adoption.

Other Massachusetts Estate Planning FAQs

  • Q: What Are Advance Directives?
    A: Advance Directives, such as Health Care Proxies and Living Wills, allow people to retain control over medical decisions. Massachusetts law allows people to make their … More
  • Q: What Is A Health Care Proxy?
    A: A health care proxy is a legal document that designates a trusted relative or friend to make health care decisions for you if, because of an illness or accident, … More
  • Q: When Does The Health Care Proxy Become Effective?
    A: The Proxy becomes effective when your doctor determines that you are unable to make or communicate health care decisions. Your doctor then must record in the chart the … More
  • Q: How Long Does The Health Care Proxy Remain Valid?
    A: The form remains valid unless you revoke it by: signing another Health Care Proxy form at a later date; legally separating from or divorcing your spouse and your … More
  • Q: What Is A Living Will?
    A: A living will is a document in which you specify in advance medical treatment that you would or would not want in the event that you become unable to express your … More

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