Medical Directives and Financial Powers of Attorney: Why Do I Need These?
Community Contributed
By Maria Sullivan, Attorney
Many of us have an aunty who suffered a stroke, then spent months in the hospital before she passed away. Not only was it difficult for Aunty, but also for her family. One of the many decisions that had to be made was about Aunty’s health care, because she couldn’t communicate who she wanted to carry out her medical wishes. Doctors spoke to the family and asked them to consider filing a Guardianship Court case, and the Court would determine who would make decisions for Aunty. But if Aunty had signed an Advance Health Care Directive and Medical Power of Attorney (generally referred to as a Medical Directive), the decision making and entire medical process would have been easier for Aunty and for the family.…














