Collegebound Legal Packet

Power of Attorney

The primary purpose is to delegate decision-making authority to someone else—typically for convenience, incapacity, or as part of estate planning.

1. Financial Management

   • Handling bank accounts

   • Paying bills

   • Filing taxes

   • Managing real estate or investments

2. Legal Transactions

   • Signing contracts

   • Filing lawsuits or claims

   • Handling business dealings

3. Estate and Long-Term Care Planning

   • Managing assets if the principal becomes incapacitated

   • Qualifying for Medicaid or other benefits

4. Real Estate

   • Buying or selling property on the principal’s behalf

5. Temporary Authority

   • For military personnel, travelers, or elderly individuals needing help while away

Designation of Healthcare Surrogate

1. Medical Decision-Making

   • Authorizes someone you trust to make health care decisions when you’re incapacitated or unable to communicate.

2. Continuity of Care

   • Ensures there is a clear decision-maker during a medical emergency, serious illness, or after cognitive decline (e.g., dementia).

3. Reduces Family Conflict

   • Prevents disputes among family members about what care you would want.

4. Respects Your Wishes

   • Your surrogate can follow your treatment preferences, including:

     • Life-sustaining treatments

     • Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders

     • Organ donation

5. Avoids Guardianship

   • Helps avoid court intervention or the need for a guardian to be appointed if you’re incapacitated.

Living Will

1. Directs End-of-Life Care

   • Specifies whether you want life-prolonging procedures (like feeding tubes, ventilators, or resuscitation) if you are:

     • Terminally ill

     • In a persistent vegetative state

     • Suffering from an end-stage condition

2. Preserves Your Autonomy

   • Ensures your values and preferences guide your care—even when you can’t speak for yourself.

3. Eases Burden on Loved Ones

   • Prevents family members from having to guess or make painful decisions during a crisis.

4. Guides Healthcare Providers

   • Gives doctors legal clarity on whether to administer or withhold life-sustaining treatment.

Standard HIPAA Release

1. Grants Access to Medical Records

   • Allows named individuals (like family members, caregivers, or legal agents) to view or receive your medical records, test results, treatment plans, and other health information.

2. Supports Medical Decision-Making

   • Enables your health care surrogate or power of attorney access essential medical information.

3. Facilitates Communication

   • Authorizes doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, and pharmacies to speak with trusted individuals about your care and treatment.

4. Protects Privacy

   • Complies with federal law, which otherwise prohibits the release of your health information without your explicit consent.

5. Helps in Emergencies

   • Ensures your loved ones can speak to doctors and receive updates if you’re unconscious, sedated, or unable to communicate.