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Download medical power of attorney form in PDF format.
Understanding Medical Power of Attorney for Child
In some instances overwhelming situations may compel parents/guardians to entrust the health care of their children to an attorney/agent. Creating a medical power of attorney for child is the best way to address this situation. Individuals who are called upon to relocate to a different country for long periods of time, military personnel, or others finding themselves in similar situations can effectively use the medical power of attorney for child to ensure that their children are well protected and cared for in their absence.
Some health care decisions will call for specific authorization from the parents/guardian and even a small delay can potentially increase the risk level in such instances. With an appropriate medical power of attorney for child, you can pre-empt such possibilities. Identifying a trustworthy agent is the first step in this process and should be undertaken with great care. The agent is preferably a member of the family, closely known to the child and be comfortable with him/her.
The principal has the ability to design the power of attorney in a manner that addresses specific situations and even prevents the agent from taking certain decisions such as terminating life support procedures in extraordinary circumstances. To familiarize yourself with the content of the document, you can scour the internet and look at different templates or free forms. However, once you are reasonably clear on how you would like the document to be drawn up, consulting a competent legal professional is a great idea.
The legal provisions in respect of medical power of attorney for child vary between states. In some states, the document may need to be signed in the presence of a notary, while in some other states, two witnesses are required to sign along with the principal. There can also be few instances where this power of attorney should be signed in the presence of a notary and witnessed too. Thus, understanding the specific legal provisions as applicable to your state is important.
The principal executing this power of attorney can also limit its validity by stipulating a specific date. In the alternate, the power of attorney can be terminated at will either by destroying the original document or issuing a written revocation to the agent. In some instances, adopting both these measures may be helpful.
Some situations may call for incorporating specific clauses and directions in the medical power of attorney for child. Given the importance of the document and the fact that the principal may not be immediately reachable in a complex situation, it is best to get a competent legal professional to word your document appropriately. This way you can ensure that your child is always in safe hands and that his/her medical needs remain fully protected. The American Bar Association is a helpful place where you can get assistance with finding the right attorney for necessary consultations.