Healthcare Proxy

A healthcare proxy in Michigan is known as a medical power of attorney or patient advocate designation. It is a legal document that allows you to appoint a trusted person who will make health and medical decisions for you in situations when you cannot do so yourself.

Our team of experienced lawyers at Bassett Murray Law Group can help you draft a legally valid healthcare proxy document in Ann Arbor, MI. Call us at (734) 930-9200 for a consultation.

How a Healthcare Proxy Works

A medical power of attorney can ensure that any medical care you receive, including in emergency and end-of-life situations, aligns with your wishes. This appointment plays a crucial role when illness or incapacity prevents you from making important decisions about your own medical care. Your physician and one other will need to state that you are no longer able to make informed decisions about your care for a medical power of attorney document to take effect.

When setting up your medical power of attorney, it is vital to name a person who will honor your wishes and is willing to undertake the responsibility for making medical decisions on your behalf. Let your advocate know your:

• Preferences for palliative care
• Wishes regarding life-sustaining procedures like artificial nutrition
• Opinions about healthcare institutions and caregivers

A living will is a separate document that can guide your patient advocate as they make critical choices about your medical care. It’s also a good idea to name a backup patient advocate in case your first advocate is unable or unwilling to fulfill their role.

Authorizing Healthcare Proxy or Patient Advocate in the State of Michigan

Patient advocate designation in Michigan can seem to be a simple process:

• Fill out the appropriate form with your personal information and the date of the agreement
• Name your healthcare agent, a.k.a representative or patient advocate
• Add any requests or stipulations like do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders
• Sign the form in front of the appropriate witnesses

In Michigan, both the principal (you) and two witnesses must sign a patient advocate designation form. A legal witness can be any person over 18 who has capacity, except your spouse, close family members, your appointed proxy, and your physician.  

Do I Need an Attorney for Healthcare Proxy or Patient Advocate Designation?

While it is possible to draft a medical power of attorney using ready-made forms, working with Bassett Murray Law Group will help make sure that your medical power of attorney:

• Complies with all Michigan laws
• Clearly explains your wishes regarding your medical care
• Covers every scenario, from temporary unconsciousness to end-of-life care
• Is properly signed and witnessed

You need to be conscious and in full use of your mental faculties to create and sign a medical power of attorney, so make sure you draft this important document as soon as possible.  

Bassett Murray Law Group, PLLC: Stay in Control of Your Medical Care With a Reliable Healthcare Proxy

When an emergency strikes, you need to make sure that a trusted representative has the proper authority to make critical healthcare decisions on your behalf.

At Bassett Murray Law Group, we help you preserve control of your medical care, even in situations of temporary or permanent incapacity. Call (734) 930-9200 or fill out our online form for reliable legal help with drafting a medical power of attorney in Michigan.