A Health Care Surrogate is a person you authorize to make medical decisions for you when you cannot. It is important to discuss your wishes in advance with your Health Care Surrogate so they can make decisions based on this conversation.
Who can be a Health Care Surrogate?
Any competent individual who is at least 18 years old can be your Health Care Surrogate. In many cases, this is someone different from your Financial Power of Attorney —possibly a friend/relative with medical experience. I counsel my clients to be very thoughtful about their decision and to consider how the designee will feel about the role. For example, your 25-year-old child while legally eligible may feel overwhelmed by such a position at that age. I also recommend choosing a second person as an alternate in the case of your first choice is not available or unable to make decisions on your behalf.
Heidi S. Webb, Attorney at Law, serves clients all over the state of Florida with Estate Planning and Probate. She has offices in Daytona Beach and Melbourne but can meet via phone or Zoom with clients statewide. Contact her today to schedule a free consultation. Visit her page on Facebook or see what her clients are saying to learn more about Heidi at www.heidiwebb.com.
