Appoint a healthcare agent in Vermont: Vermont Medical Power of Attorney
What is a Vermont Medical Power of Attorney?
A Vermont Medical Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives a person or organization the authority to make healthcare decisions for you, such as refusing or accepting a certain medical treatment or procedure, when you cannot do so.
The individual giving permission is known as the "principal," and the people or entities obtaining authority are called the "agents." Suited for Vermont residents, our Power of Attorney for health care is made for use in Bennington County, Caledonia County, Chittenden County, and in every other part of the state. All Vermont Medical PoA forms from Rocket Lawyer can be modified for your specific situation. Making this essential document will provide confirmation to medical institutions and other parties that your chosen agent is legally allowed to make choices for you when you are not able.
When to use a Vermont Medical Power of Attorney:
- Someone you completely trust is up for making healthcare decisions for you if you become unable to.
- You have a terminal diagnosis, a major surgery around the corner, or health concerns.
How do I get my Vermont Medical Power of Attorney reviewed?
If you already have a Vermont Medical Power of Attorney and want to have it reviewed, or if you have questions about creating or using one, there are a few ways to get help.
Use Rocket Copilot to ask questions or review your document; this helps you better understand what it says and identify anything that may need a closer look.
If you are looking for help from a Legal Pro, you can also ask a question and receive a response within one business day, or request a more in-depth document review.
What is a Vermont Medical Power of Attorney?
A Vermont Medical Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives a person or organization the authority to make healthcare decisions for you, such as refusing or accepting a certain medical treatment or procedure, when you cannot do so.
The individual giving permission is known as the "principal," and the people or entities obtaining authority are called the "agents." Suited for Vermont residents, our Power of Attorney for health care is made for use in Bennington County, Caledonia County, Chittenden County, and in every other part of the state. All Vermont Medical PoA forms from Rocket Lawyer can be modified for your specific situation. Making this essential document will provide confirmation to medical institutions and other parties that your chosen agent is legally allowed to make choices for you when you are not able.
When to use a Vermont Medical Power of Attorney:
- Someone you completely trust is up for making healthcare decisions for you if you become unable to.
- You have a terminal diagnosis, a major surgery around the corner, or health concerns.
How do I get my Vermont Medical Power of Attorney reviewed?
If you already have a Vermont Medical Power of Attorney and want to have it reviewed, or if you have questions about creating or using one, there are a few ways to get help.
Use Rocket Copilot to ask questions or review your document; this helps you better understand what it says and identify anything that may need a closer look.
If you are looking for help from a Legal Pro, you can also ask a question and receive a response within one business day, or request a more in-depth document review.
Sample Vermont Medical Power of Attorney
The terms in your document will update based on the information you provide
Rocket Lawyer members have customized over 110.5M documents
Legally binding and enforceable
Consult a Legal Pro to ask questions or review your document
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT LEGAL DOCUMENT. BEFORE SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT, YOU SHOULD KNOW THESE IMPORTANT FACTS:
Except to the extent you state otherwise, this document gives the person you name as your Agent the authority to make any and all health care decisions for you when you are no longer capable of making them yourself. "Health care" means any treatment, service or procedure to maintain, diagnose or treat your physical or mental condition. Your Agent therefore can have the power to make a broad range of health care decisions for you. Your Agent may consent, refuse to consent, or withdraw consent to medical treatment and may make decisions about withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatment.
You may state in this document any treatment you do not desire or treatment you want to be sure you receive. Your Agent's authority will begin when your doctor certifies that you lack the capacity to make health care decisions. You may attach additional pages if you need more space to complete your statement.
Your Agent will be obligated to follow your instructions when making decisions on your behalf. Unless you state otherwise, your Agent will have the same authority to make decisions about your health care as you would have had.
It is important that you discuss this document with your physician or other health care providers before you sign it to make sure that you understand the nature and range of decisions which may be made on your behalf. If you do not have a physician, you should talk with someone else who is knowledgeable about these issues and can answer your questions. You do not need a lawyer's assistance to complete this document, but if there is anything in this document that you do not understand, you should ask a lawyer to explain it to you.
The person you appoint as Agent should be someone you know and trust and must be at least 18 years old. If you appoint your health or residential care provider (e.g. your physician, or an employee of a home health agency, hospital, nursing home, or residential care home, other than a relative), that person will have to choose between acting as your Agent or as your health or residential care provider; the law does not permit a person to do both at the same time.
You should inform the person you appoint that you want him or her to be your health care Agent. You should discuss this document with your Agent and your physician and give each a signed copy. You should indicate on the document itself the people and institutions who will have signed copies. Your Agent will not be liable for health care decisions made in good faith on your behalf.
Even after you have signed this document, you have the right to make health care decisions for yourself as long as you are able to do so, and treatment cannot be given to you or stopped over your objection. You have the right to revoke the authority granted to your Agent by informing him or her or your health care provider orally or in writing.
This document may not be changed or modified. If you want to make changes in the document you must make an entirely new one.
You may wish to designate an alternate Agent in the event that your Agent is unwilling, unable or ineligible to act as your Agent. Any alternate Agent you designate will have the same authority to make health care decisions for you.
THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY WILL NOT BE VALID UNLESS IT IS SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF TWO (2) OR MORE QUALIFIED WITNESSES WHO MUST BOTH BE PRESENT WHEN YOU SIGN OR ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SIGNATURE. THE FOLLOWING PERSONS MAY NOT ACT AS WITNESSES:
1. the person you have designated as your Agent;
2. your health or residential care provider or one of their employees;
3. your spouse;
4. your lawful heirs or beneficiaries named in your will or a deed;
5. creditors or persons who have a claim against you;
6. your reciprocal beneficiary.
DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE
. DESIGNATION OF AGENT. I, , hereby appoint:
| Agent Name: |
| Address: |
| , |
| Phone: | Home: Work: |
| Relation, if any: |
as my Agent to make any and all health care decisions for me, except to the extent I state otherwise in this document. This durable power of attorney for health care shall take effect in the event I become unable to make my own health care decisions.
NOTICE: A person may not exercise the authority of an Agent while serving in one of the following capacities:
A. the Principal's health care provider;
B. nonrelative of the Principal who is an employee of the Principal's health care provider;
C. the Principal's residential care provider; or
D. a nonrelative of the Principal who is an employee of the Principal's residential care provider.
. LIFE-SUSTAINING TREATMENT. My Agent has My Agent does NOT have
SECOND ALTERNATE AGENT
| Agent Name: |
| Address: |
| , |
| Phone: | Home: Work: |
. NOMINATION OF GUARDIAN. If a Guardian of my person is to be appointed for me, I nominate my Agent (or Alternate Agent) to serve as my Guardian.
. NOMINATION OF GUARDIAN. If a Guardian of my person is to be appointed for me, I nominate
| Name: |
| Address: |
| , |
to serve as my Guardian.
. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. I hereby acknowledge that I have been provided with a Disclosure Statement explaining the effect of this document. I have read and understand the information contained in the Disclosure Statement.
. SEVERABILITY. If any provision in this document is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions which can be given effect without the invalid provision, and to this end the directions in this document are severable.
(YOU MUST DATE AND SIGN THIS DOCUMENT)
In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name this _____ day of ____________________, _____.
| Signature: | ________________________________________ |
| Name: |
| Address: |
| County |
STATEMENT OF WITNESSES
(The Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care shall be signed by , the "Principal," in the presence of at least two or more subscribing witnesses, neither of whom shall, at the time of execution, be the Agent, 's health or residential care provider or the provider's employee, 's spouse, heir, or reciprocal beneficiary, a person entitled to any part of the estate of upon the death of under a will or deed in existence or by operation of law or any other person who has, at the time of execution, any claims against the estate of .)
I declare that appears to be of sound mind and free from duress at the time the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is signed and that has affirmed that he or she is aware of the nature of the document and is signing it freely and voluntarily.
| Witness Signature: | ________________________________________ |
Date: _________________________
| Witness Signature: | ________________________________________ |
Date: _________________________
| _____ | If you are in or being admitted to a hospital, nursing home, or residential care home, the Special Statement must be signed by an Ombudsman, hospital Representative or other authorized person. |
Vermont Medical Power of Attorney FAQs
-
Can I get a Vermont Medical Power of Attorney template online for free?
It is fast and simple to give or receive the authority you may need using a free Vermont Medical Power of Attorney template from Rocket Lawyer:
- Make the PoA - Provide a few details and we will do the rest
- Send or share - Review the document with your agent or seek legal advice
- Sign and make it legal - Mandatory or not, notarization/witnesses are a best practice
This route, in many cases, will be much less expensive and less time-consuming than working with the average attorney. If needed, you may start a Medical PoA on behalf of your spouse, an elderly parent, or another relative, and then have them sign it once you've drafted it. Please keep in mind that for this document to be considered legally valid, the principal must be a mentally competent adult when they sign. If the principal is already unable to make their own decisions, a court-appointed conservatorship could be necessary. When facing such a scenario, it would be a good idea to talk to an Legal Pro.
-
Why should I have a Power of Attorney for healthcare in Vermont?
If you are over 18 years old, you should have a Medical Power of Attorney. While it's difficult to acknowledge, a day could come when you cannot make medical decisions on your own. Here are a few common occasions in which you may consider PoA forms to be helpful:
- You are getting older or have declining health
- You intend to live in a care facility
- You will be hospitalized for a surgical procedure
- You are managing a terminal illness
Whether this Vermont Medical Power of Attorney is being prepared as part of a long-term plan or made in response to an urgent issue, notarization and witnesses are highly encouraged for protecting your agent if their power and authority are challenged.
-
Are a Vermont Healthcare Proxy and a Vermont Medical Power of Attorney different things?
When discussing the subjects of elder care or estate planning with healthcare or legal professionals, you or a loved one might find that the terms "healthcare power of attorney", "medical power of attorney" and "healthcare proxy" are used interchangeably. In short, they're the same. That being said, please keep in mind that it's absolutely possible to give agency over affairs that aren't related to health care. In that case, "proxy" is not commonly used.
-
Should I work with a lawyer for my Vermont Medical PoA?
It’s a good idea to have important documents like your Vermont Medical Power of Attorney reviewed before signing, so you fully understand your choices and help avoid unintended outcomes. The problem is that some attorneys may not review documents they didn’t prepare, while others may require a retainer or high hourly fees. This can make getting a legal review of your Vermont Medical Power of Attorneydifficult and time-consuming.
Rocket Lawyer makes the process easier. With Rocket Lawyer, you can request a review from a Legal Pro or ask questions about your document. You can also use Rocket Copilot to review your document, identify potential issues, and check that everything is complete before signing.
-
What would I usually have to pay for a lawyer to help me get a Power of Attorney form for health care in Vermont?
Attorney fees for drafting or reviewing a Vermont Medical Power of Attorney can vary widely. Many lawyers charge hourly rates that may range from around $100 for less experienced attorneys to $350 or more per hour for highly experienced attorneys in major metropolitan areas. For more routine documents, some attorneys may offer flat-fee pricing.
The total cost will depend on several factors, including your location, the attorney’s experience, and the complexity of your agreement. More documents or situations involving negotiation will typically require more time and increase the overall cost.
With Rocket Lawyer, you can create a personalized Vermont Medical Power of Attorney tailored to your specific needs—without the high cost typically associated with hiring a lawyer. If you have questions or want additional peace of mind, you can also get your document reviewed or ask a Legal Pro for guidance.
-
Does a Medical Power of Attorney need to be notarized, witnessed, and/or recorded in Vermont?
The specifications and restrictions will be different by state; however, in Vermont, your Power of Attorney will require two witnesses. Witnesses to this PoA must not include your spouse, parent, adult sibling, adult child, or adult grandchild. Finally, as a basic rule, your witness(es) must not be under the age of 18, and no witness should also be your Power of Attorney agent.
See Vermont Medical/Healthcare Power of Attorney law: Title 18, Ch. 231
