http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Durable-Power-Of-Attorney/Federal/index.html LawInfo - Legal Resource Center offers free legal forms and free legal documents that is designed to help consumers and businesses resolve their legal issues http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Durable-Power-Of-Attorney/Federal/must-i-have-a-durable-power-of-attorney-for-h.html No. You have this option, but no one can require you to have a durable power of attorney. You can make your wishes known by talking with your family or doctor or by writing them down, but unless you have a durable power of attorney in place, if you become incapacitated then the court may need to formally establish a conservatorship or guardianship to give someone legal authority to make medical decisions for you.  Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:49:03 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Durable-Power-Of-Attorney/Federal/are-advance-directives-only-for-older-people-.html No, even young people can be involved in car accidents or have serious illness. Most of the court cases involving withholding of life­support treatments have involved young people in their twenties or thirties. Durable Power Of Attorney FAQs Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:29:04 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Durable-Power-Of-Attorney/Federal/if-i-dont-have-an-advance-directive-how-will.html If you are unable to make and communicate your decision concerning your medical care and you do not have a living will, your physician can consult with other persons to determine what your wishes are regarding the withholding or withdrawal of life support.  A durable power of attorney can be made so that your named agent can act on your behalf in the event you become incapacitated.  Durable Power Of Attorney FAQs Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:43:07 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Durable-Power-Of-Attorney/Federal/is-my-health-care-directive-legal-in-all-50-s.html Laws regarding advance directives are not the same in all fifty states in the U.S. If you spend a great deal of time in another state, or move to another state, be sure you understand the laws. An advance directive document executed in another state can be used in other states if the document complies with the law of the other state as well. Durable Power Of Attorney FAQs Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:51:07 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Durable-Power-Of-Attorney/Federal/what-is-a-durable-power-of-attorney-for-healt.html The durable power of attorney for health care is a document that allows you to name another person to make certain medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them for yourself. This is a very important estate planning tool.  A regular power of attorney generally terminates automatically if the principal becomes incapacitated, unless it is specifically made to be durable.  Durable Power Of Attorney FAQs Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:34:05 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Durable-Power-Of-Attorney/Federal/what-is-a-health-care-agent.html A health care agent is a person whom you authorize in writing to convey your wishes concerning whether you wish to withhold or withdraw life support systems. The agent does not become involved in any other treatment decisions. Durable Power Of Attorney FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Durable-Power-Of-Attorney/Federal/what-is-an-advance-directive.html An Advance Directive enables you to guide your family and physician if you are unable to communicate with them. It allows you to control the extent to which life­sustaining medical measures will be used and can help you protect your loved ones from being forced to make those difficult decisions. A Living Will is NOT a property will. A Healthcare Proxy is a person you appoint to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them for yourself. This person may make decisions that are not clearly stated in your Advance Directive. Durable Power Of Attorney FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Durable-Power-Of-Attorney/Federal/what-is-an-attorney-in-fact-for-health-care-d.html An attorney-­in-­fact for health care decisions is a person whom you name in a document called a durable power of attorney, to make medical decisions other than withdrawal of life support systems on your behalf should you become unable to make or communicate such decisions yourself. Your attorney-­in-­fact may make certain decisions about aspects of your medical treatment, subject to any conditions stated within the document itself and any applicable legal restrictions.  Areas which may be subject to conditions include withdrawal of life support systems, withdrawal of food and fluids, medical treatment designed solely to maintain your physical comfort, or other matters. 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