✍ Power of Attorney & Directives

Documents that authorize someone to act on your behalf or express your healthcare wishes. — 10 terms

• Advance Directive

  A general term for legal documents that express your healthcare wishes in advance. It usually includes both a living will (treatment preferences) and a healthcare power of attorney (who makes decision...

• Agent

  In estate planning, the person you appoint in a power of attorney to act on your behalf. Also called an attorney-in-fact. Your agent has the authority to make financial, legal, or healthcare decisions...

• Conservator

  A person appointed by a court to manage the financial affairs and/or personal care of an adult who has been determined to be incapacitated. Some states use 'conservator' for financial management and '...

• DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)

  A medical order stating that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should not be performed if your heart stops or you stop breathing. A DNR is typically signed by your doctor and is different from a liv...

• Durable Power of Attorney

  A power of attorney that remains in effect even if you become mentally incapacitated. Without the 'durable' designation, a regular power of attorney automatically ends if you become incapacitated.

• Guardian

  A person appointed by a court (or named in a will) to care for a minor child or an incapacitated adult. A guardian of the person makes personal and healthcare decisions. A guardian of the estate manag...

• HIPAA Authorization

  A signed form that allows your healthcare providers to share your medical information with specific people you name. Without this authorization, privacy laws prevent doctors from discussing your condi...

• Healthcare Power of Attorney

  A document that gives another person the authority to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. Also called a healthcare proxy or medical power of attorney in some states...

• Living Will

  A document that states your wishes about medical treatment if you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious and cannot communicate. It addresses life-sustaining treatments like ventilators, fee...

• Power of Attorney

  A legal document that gives another person the authority to act on your behalf in financial or legal matters. The person you appoint is called your agent or attorney-in-fact.