Posted by SoCal_Money on 11/16/06 11:46pm
Msg #160737

OT - POA Forms.. Have you seen this?

I'm hoping someone has seen this and can tell me if an attorney had to draw it up or if it is something that you can get online.

While making funeral arrangements for our aunt today, we were asked about POA for Health Care. One of my cousins has POA. We asked why they would want it as it only pertains to my aunts healthcare wishes. The person at the mortuary said that the person with POA will always supercede any other wishes in regards to "final arrangements". She showed us an example of the POA for Health care that had specific information about the remains and donating the body for science, cremation and burial arrangements. She said that most hospitals use these. I've notarized less than 10 of these so I have not seen this last portion included before.

I have a durable POA for Healthcare for my dad but it just the basic health directives.
Is anyone familiar with the more detailed form and where I might be able to find one. My dad just had this one done so I don't know that he'll be able to spring for another one to be done so soon. TIA

Reply by Lisa Prestegard on 11/16/06 11:56pm
Msg #160740

Please email me off post. Click my name...

(you have to be logged in) and you'll see my email address in my profile.
I don't have a POA, per se, but I do have the "Five Wishes" form which I believe will be most helpful. Lisa

Reply by TitleGalCA on 11/17/06 12:32am
Msg #160745

Re: Please email me off post. Click my name...

Lisa, with all due repspect. Can you post a wish list/Check list (without) mention of what you'd prefer?

We of the notary age are having problem with our parents that may or may not have given direction.

Anyhelp is so appreciated, and thank you.

Reply by Lisa Prestegard on 11/17/06 6:47am
Msg #160767

TitleGal, please email me off-post n/m

Reply by Lisa Prestegard on 11/17/06 7:08am
Msg #160771

Try this link

http://www.agingwithdignity.org/5wishes.pdf

Reply by Ernest__CT on 11/17/06 1:12pm
Msg #160853

Thank you for Posting the link.

Sharing information publicly here is valuable to everyone.

Reply by jojo_MN on 11/16/06 11:57pm
Msg #160741

Try going to USLegalForms.com
They have forms for all states listed. If you check the "Free preview" it has one that is not printable.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 11/17/06 12:44am
Msg #160748

Re: OT - POA Forms.. Have you seen this? Very cool

Thanks JoJo. For Californian's I recommend "Legal Zoom dot Com".

Reply by PAW on 11/17/06 5:46am
Msg #160759

Many states have specific wording ...

Some states have very specific wording and format that must be used for Healthcare Directives and LPOAs for Healthcare. You can even download the state acceptable forms from the state websites. However, I always recommend talking with an estate or probate attorney or estate planner prior to completing a POA for Healthcare.

FindLaw (http://public.findlaw.com/healthcare/forms.html) has a list of the state specific directives.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 11/17/06 6:21am
Msg #160764

Re: Many states have specific wording ...

We got ours through our local hospital and clinics. Each of my daughters filled one out when they turned 18. Their Dad filled one out when he was in the hospital and it was honored throughout his illness until he died. He was referred to other hospitals and he just gave them a copy. That may be a WI thing.
His general POA was drawn up by his attorney. That was to handle his personal affairs when he became incapacitated. He addressed his funeral preferences in his will as well.

Reply by Lee/AR on 11/17/06 7:00am
Msg #160770

Hospitals do have them & they would comply to that state.

And they are freely available. Just ask.

Reply by Marlene/USNA on 11/17/06 9:28am
Msg #160818

Shouldn't cost anything. . .

Your dad and the family can do this form themselves. In fact, everyone should do one, next time the family gets together, everyone fill one out. If you feel better following an attorney's advice, that's okay, too.

It's called an Advance Directive for Health Care. Many people in this thread have offered good ideas on where to get them free.

Reply by David Kral on 11/18/06 12:18am
Msg #160925

I have one

A friend of mine is an attorney. It was about the same as legal Zoom.com. I added to it sentences at his suggestion. To my surviovor's I told them that I loved them and would forgive them for whatever decision they made and never to worry or second guess about the decision.

I asked them to respect my wishes. Not to suffer, not to persist in a vegatative state and donate body parts even though I realized it might not be what they would do, but to do what I preferred. Pulling the plug would make me happy so they should take solace in that.

No need to pile up the medical bills when other relatives could benefit from my estate if anything is left, especially important if you have a spouse or children to go through college etc. In other words, pull the plug quick instead of giving the money to the hospital.

If none of my siblings could make the decision, I also added an old level headed college roommate in case it was too hard for the family members.

If they still could not decide, I empowered them to apoint someone else to act and to hold that person harmless.

Be sure to get it notarized. Give them "original notary stamped copies" NOT PHOTOCOPIES. Some hospitals may require an original stamp, especially if they are going to pull the plug. Keep it in a locked fire proof box at their home. (Banks are closed on weekends and if they can't get at it the hospital will not act((important if you are donating body parts)).