Law Office of Julie Ernst-Fortin, PC
Julie Ernst-Fortin, PC
Attorney at Law
The Forum, Peachtree Pkwy.
Norcross, Georgia
(770) 613-9524
www.ernstfortin.com
Powers of Attorney & Advance Directives
Powers of attorney are advance directives. They allow you to designate
someone to make decisions for you in advance of when you need
them. A durable financial power of attorney allows someone you
choose to make financial decisions for you if you are unable to make
them yourself.
If you are in a car accident and cannot physically pay your bills, even
temporarily, you need someone you trust to manage your finances and
keep accounts current. A power of attorney allows your agent to apply
for disability benefits, social security, workers compensation or other
benefits to which you are entitled. Having this document protects good
credit by keeping bills current and ensures you are able to obtain
benefits available to you and your family.
A durable power of attorney for health care, also known as an advance
directive for health care allows your agent to make health care
decisions for you if you are unconscious or unable to communicate. It
is more comprehensive than a living will. A living will only
communicates when physicians should withdraw feeding tubes and
hydration. A power of attorney for health care covers a variety of
decisions, such as whether you have surgery, or if you may receive
care at home instead of staying in a hospital or nursing home. It allows
your agent to participate in discussions with your doctor and weigh the
advantages and disadvantages of treatment decisions.
With a durable power of attorney for health care, you don’t have to worry
that hospital administrators or insurance officials will decide treatment
options. Instead, someone who knows and loves you decides what is
the best care for you.