Healthcare Proxies

Creating a Healthcare Proxy in Dedham

Norfolk Estate Planning Documents

Want to ensure your medical wishes are respected in the event you cannot make said decisions known? In Massachusetts, every competent individual 18 years of age or older can create a healthcare proxy. A healthcare proxy is a legal document that allows you to elect another trusted individual to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. The person you select, known as your agent, should have a copy of your living will prior to any life-threatening event/illness.

This way, they can accept or deny any type of medical procedures and/or options you do or do not want, including the following:

Massachusetts also permits you to elect a second agent as an alternative proxy. To learn more about healthcare proxies or our other practice areas, please contact the Law Office of Frederick N. Pellegrini.

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Why Create a Healthcare Proxy?

If you do not have a healthcare proxy and cannot make medical decisions on your own, the State can appoint someone to act on your behalf. While they often select a family member, they could appoint someone who has never met you, such as a doctor or judge. If you do not have your medical wishes in a legal document, the person appointed on your behalf may make healthcare decisions with which you do not agree.

If you do not have a person you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf, you can create a living will. By giving a copy to your doctor, family, and attorney, you can ensure your medical wishes will be followed by a medical team in the event you become incapacitated.

Protect Your Medical Wishes

Do not force family members to make important medical decisions on your behalf because you did not create a healthcare proxy and/or living will. We can also help you fund or retitle assets into trusts so you can rest assured knowing your assets are protected from certain types of taxes, potential creditors’ claims, and lawsuits.

Please contact a Dedham estate planning lawyer at the Law Office of Frederick N. Pellegrini today to add a healthcare proxy to your estate plan.