Power of Attorney

Having major surgery is scary for many people. There is a fear of pain and fear of an unknown outcome. Many patients feel that their fate is out of their control. However, there is a lot that patients can do to stay in control of their own lives and plan for their own legal futures.

Specifically, patients can direct doctors on how to act even if they are unable to speak by creating durable powers of attorney, health care proxies, advanced health care directives and do not resuscitate (DNR) orders....

A major illness can change the course of your life. Your short and long term goals may need to be altered because of cancer, a heart attack or even the birth of a baby. However, your goals can still be your own and you can still manage the direction of your life by planning for your future. For many patients, the immediate needs are health insurance and time off from work. Longer term needs may include public assistance, creating advanced health care directives, creating a Last Will and Testament, creati...