What is Healthcare Proxy Drafting?
A healthcare proxy is a legal document specifying the person you select to make medical decisions on your behalf should you be unable to make your own decisions.
If you’re unsure of how to draft a healthcare proxy, read the rest of this article for clarity. We’ll identify some of the key terms to include in a healthcare proxy, how to draft it accurately, and why it’s beneficial to hire a qualified lawyer to draft it for you.
What are Key Components in a Healthcare Proxy?
A healthcare proxy usually contains the following key terms:
- Principal. State the person who creates the document and is allowing the agent to make their decisions for them.
- Agent. This is the trusted representative that you appoint to make decisions for you.
- Incapacity. This specifies the medical condition that makes the principal unable to make their own healthcare decisions.
- Treatment wishes. Explain your healthcare preferences, such as regarding ventilation or life support.
- Signatures. You’ll need to sign the document in the presence of witnesses. State laws vary regarding formalities, such as notarizing the document.
How Do You Draft a Healthcare Proxy?
A healthcare proxy requires specific and clear details to ensure that the document is aligned with the principal’s wishes. Here are some things to consider during the drafting process.
Select a Healthcare Agent
Make sure you take time to choose an adult you can trust who will make decisions for you. This person should understand your values and commit to fulfilling your wishes. It’s worth naming an alternate agent who can take over if your primary choice is unavailable or can’t fulfill their duties.
Discuss Your Treatment Goals
Be comprehensive about what you want. Speak to your healthcare agent and medical professional to discuss treatments such as life support, tube feeding, and pain management.
Check State Requirements
It’s crucial to check all the healthcare proxy laws and rules in your state before drafting the legal document. For example, different states have different witness and eligibility requirements with which you will have to comply.
Define the Healthcare Agent’s Authority
You want to clearly detail what the healthcare agent will be responsible for. Be specific so that you avoid any confusion. Some medical decisions that the agent will make can include medications, surgery, life-sustaining treatments, and more. If there are any exclusions or limits, you want to specify these.
Refer to Your Living Will
Make sure you check your living will so that there is no contradictory information in it that can create ambiguity. Both documents should express your wishes and clarify instructions for the making of medical decisions.
Get it Reviewed Regularly
You should try to review your healthcare proxy regularly, such as after a major life event or a change in your healthcare priorities. Hiring a qualified lawyer can also help you with conducting a thorough review of your healthcare proxy to ensure that it’s customized to your wishes and arrangements.
Should You Hire a Lawyer for Healthcare Proxy Drafting?
While you might not think you need to hire a lawyer to draft your healthcare proxy, it’s advisable. A lawyer will ensure that the document is aligned with your treatment preferences and keep it legally valid.
A lawyer will conduct the following activities during the healthcare proxy drafting process:
- Explain state-specific requirements. A lawyer will identify the applicable state laws and regulations that affect your document, ensuring legal compliance.
- Execute the legal document. They’ll follow all signing rules, witness, and notarization requirements.
- Help you select a healthcare agent. A lawyer will explain all roles and duties of the healthcare agent you appoint and guide you on selecting the most suitable person for the role.
- Draft clear appointment provisions. For example, a lawyer will establish when the agent’s authority becomes effective.
- Listen to your preferences. Before drafting the healthcare proxy, a lawyer will ensure that it caters to your specific medical preferences.
- Navigate special circumstances. A lawyer will consider any unique circumstances so that the healthcare proxy is aligned with your specific situation. For example, they’ll customize the legal document to your family dynamics, personal preferences, and complex medical conditions.
- Review your healthcare proxy. If you’ve already drafted a healthcare proxy, you can hire a lawyer to review it for you to ensure that it’s legally compliant and clear to prevent ambiguity.
Where to Find a Lawyer for Healthcare Proxy Drafting
Finding a lawyer doesn’t have to be a time-consuming or stressful experience. By using an online legal platform such as ContractsCounsel, you can connect with a reliable, experienced lawyer from the comfort of your home.
ContractsCounsel is one of the largest online legal marketplaces that gives you access to a curated network of lawyers who have been vetted on the platform.
To ask a lawyer on ContractsCounsel to draft your healthcare proxy, here are the easy steps to follow:
- Go to the ContractsCounsel marketplace.
- Select ‘One-time project’ and ‘Create or update contract.’ If you’d prefer to hire a lawyer to review the agreement, choose ‘Contract review.’
- Post your project or request for free. Mention some details of what you need to match with the most suitable lawyers.
- Wait for bids. Instead of searching for a lawyer, lawyers directly on the platform will send you bids to work on your project.
- Review the platform’s lawyer data. The information includes the lawyers’ credentials, field of expertise, years of experience, location, and client ratings for previous projects they’ve completed on the platform.
- Hire a lawyer who meets your requirements. They’ll draft or review your healthcare proxy for a flat fee.