Appoint a healthcare agent in Alabama: Alabama Medical Power of Attorney
What is an Alabama Medical Power of Attorney?
The individual giving control is known as the "principal," and the individuals or organizations receiving powers are known as the "agents." Designed for residents of Alabama, our Power of Attorney for health care is made for use in Jefferson County, Mobile County, Madison County, and in any other part of the state. All Alabama Healthcare PoA forms from Rocket Lawyer can be personalized to address your specific circumstances. Creating this essential document provides confirmation to medical facilities and other parties that your chosen agent(s) can legally act in your interest when you are not able.
When to use an Alabama Medical Power of Attorney:
- You want to appoint an agent to carry out your wishes regarding healthcare.
- You are facing the possibility of surgery or a hospitalization.
- You have declining health.
- You have been diagnosed with a terminal condition.
Sample Alabama Medical Power of Attorney
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HEALTHCARE POWER OF ATTORNEY
(HEALTH CARE PROXY)
This form can be used in the state of Alabama to name a person you would like to make medical or other decisions for you if you become too sick to speak for yourself. This person is called a health care proxy. You do not have to name a health care proxy. The directions in this form will be followed even if you do not name a health care proxy.
PLACE YOUR INITIALS BY ONLY ONE ANSWER:
_________ I DO NOT want to name a health care proxy.
OR
_________ I DO want the person listed below to be my health care proxy. I have talked with this person about my wishes.
THE THINGS LISTED ON THIS FORM ARE WHAT I WANT.
I understand the following:
If my doctor or hospital does not want to follow the directions I have listed, they must see that I get to a doctor or hospital who will follow my directions.
If I am pregnant, or if I become pregnant, the choices I have made on this form will not be followed until after the birth of the baby.
If the time comes for me to stop receiving life sustaining treatment or food and water through a tube or an IV, I direct that my doctor talk about the good and bad points of doing this, along with my wishes, with my health care proxy, if I have one, and with the following people:
SEVERABILITY
Should any specific directions be held to be invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other directions of the advance directive for health care which can be given effect without the invalid direction, and to this end the directions in the advance directive for health care are severable.
MY SIGNATURE
| Your name: |
| Address: |
The month, day, and year of your birth:
Your signature: ____________________________________
Date signed: ______________________
WITNESSES (NEED TWO WITNESSES TO SIGN)
I am witnessing this form because I believe this person to be of sound mind. I did not sign the person's signature, and I am not the health care proxy. I am not related to the person by blood, adoption, or marriage and not entitled to any part of his or her estate. I am at least 19 years of age and am not directly responsible for paying for his or her medical care.
| Signature: | ________________________________________ |
| Date: | ________________________ |
| Signature: | ________________________________________ |
| Date: | ________________________ |
| _____ | Your Proxy, , and Alternate Proxy, , must sign this form. |
| _____ | (your Proxy) |
Alabama Medical Power of Attorney FAQs
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Where can I get Medical Power of Attorney in Alabama?
It is very easy to give or receive the authority you might need with a free Alabama Medical Power of Attorney template from Rocket Lawyer:
- Make the PoA - Provide a few general details and we will do the rest
- Send or share - Look over the PoA with your agent or ask a legal question
- Sign it and make it legal - Required or not, witnesses/notarization are ideal
This method, in most cases, will end up being notably more affordable than finding and working with a conventional attorney. If needed, you may start this Medical PoA on behalf of an elderly parent, a spouse, or another relative, and then have that person sign when ready. Keep in mind that for this document to be considered legally valid, the principal must be an adult who is mentally competent at the time of signing. In the event that the principal is already unable to make their own decisions, a conservatorship generally will be required. When managing such a scenario, it's best for you to work with a lawyer .
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Why should I have a Power of Attorney for healthcare in Alabama?
Every person over 18 should have a Medical Power of Attorney. Though it's difficult to think about, there could come a time when you are no longer able to make medical decisions on your own. Here are a few typical occasions in which PoA forms might be helpful:
- You are facing the possibility of surgery or a hospitalization
- You are getting older or dealing with ongoing health issues
- You've been given a terminal diagnosis
- You are preparing to live in a community care facility
Whether your Alabama Medical Power of Attorney has been made as a result of an emergency or as part of a long-term plan, notarization and/or witnesses can help to protect your agent if a third party disputes their privileges and authority.
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What are the differences between an Alabama Healthcare Proxy and an Alabama Medical Power of Attorney?
At times, in researching the topics of estate planning and/or elder care, you may see "healthcare power of attorney", "medical power of attorney" and "healthcare proxy" being used together or interchangeably. At the end of the day, they are one and the same. That being said, you should keep in mind that it is entirely possible to establish power of attorney over matters that aren't related to medical care. In that case, "proxy" generally is not the preferred term.
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Should I work with an attorney to review my Alabama Medical PoA?
Alabama Medical PoA forms are typically straightforward, but you or your agent may need advice. Having a professional double-check your document may take a lot of time if you try to do it on your own. An easier approach would be to request help from the On Call network. Rocket Lawyer Premium members have the ability to ask for a document review from an experienced lawyer or pose other questions. As always, you can be confident that Rocket Lawyer is here by your side.
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How much might I normally have to pay to get a Power of Attorney form for health care in Alabama?
The fees associated with finding and hiring a legal provider to generate a Medical Power of Attorney could total anywhere between $200 and $500. Rocket Lawyer offers much more than most other Power of Attorney template websites that you might find. As a Rocket Lawyer Premium member, you can get up to 40% in savings when hiring an Rocket Lawyer network attorney.
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What are my next steps after writing an Alabama Medical Power of Attorney?
Alongside your Power of Attorney, you'll discover a checklist of tips on what comes next after the document is finished. With a Rocket Lawyer membership, you will be able to edit it, save it as a Word document or PDF file, and sign it. Finally, be sure that your agent(s), care providers, and other impacted parties receive a copy of your final document.
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Does a Medical Power of Attorney need to be notarized, witnessed, or recorded in Alabama?
The specific guidelines and restrictions are different by state; however, in Alabama, your Power of Attorney will need to be signed by two witnesses. Witnesses cannot be anyone who is responsible for the cost of your medical care, nor should they be a spouse/relative, heir or any other beneficiary. Finally, as a general rule, witnesses must be at least 19 years old, and no witness should simultaneously be acting as your agent.
See Alabama Medical/Healthcare Power of Attorney law: § 22-8A-4
