Choose a Health-Care Decision Maker in Napa

Decide what you need from an agent

Start by identifying the role you are considering: an agent designated through a health-care directive for health-care decisions. Then consider the person, not just the name. Would you be comfortable explaining your views and concerns to this person? Do you expect them to ask questions when something is unclear and keep communication open with you and others involved in decisions? These are practical questions to discuss when deciding whom to name; they do not create additional authority.

There is no need to choose someone simply because of a particular relationship or title. Consider whether the person understands what you are asking them to take on and whether you can speak candidly with them. If you are uncertain, make that uncertainty part of the planning conversation rather than treating a tentative choice as settled.

• Who would you want to make health-care decisions if you could not make them yourself?
• Can you discuss your views and priorities openly with this person?
• What would you want the person to know about how you prefer to communicate?

Consider an alternate and explain the role

Think about whether you want to name an alternate in case your first choice cannot serve. Consider the same questions for that person: whether you trust them, whether you can communicate with them, and whether they understand the responsibility you are asking them to consider. Bring your proposed choices and any uncertainty about alternates to a planning discussion.

A useful optional preparation step is to write down your proposed agent and alternate, along with questions you want to resolve about communication. Those notes are for discussion; they are not a substitute for a directive. You can also consider how you would explain the role to each person and what you would want to ask before deciding.

Separate health-care authority from financial authority

A health-care directive can designate an agent for health-care decisions. Financial authority serves a different purpose, so naming a health-care agent does not answer who should have authority for financial matters. If you want someone to address both kinds of responsibilities, consider them separately rather than assuming one appointment covers both.

For each responsibility you have in mind, ask: Is this about health-care decisions, or is it about finances? Who do you want to address that responsibility? What remains unclear? Bringing those questions forward can help you identify a gap in your plan without assuming that a health-care designation grants authority beyond its role.

Discuss treatment preferences as a separate question

Choosing a person to designate as an agent and deciding what you want considered about care are useful subjects to raise separately. Ask how your proposed agent and any treatment preferences you want to communicate should be addressed in your planning. This keeps the conversation focused on both who you are considering and what you want to discuss, without assuming that addressing one subject resolves the other.

You may prepare by listing questions about your priorities and the person you have in mind. If a question involves a medical decision, bring it to an appropriate care professional; the planning conversation can focus on whom you want to designate and how to communicate your questions.

Prepare for a focused planning conversation

Before speaking with the firm, you may want to note your proposed agent, any alternate you are considering, and questions about communication and the scope of the role. Separately note any financial responsibilities for which you want to consider authority, and any treatment-preference questions you want to raise. This preparation is optional and can help organize the conversation.

Codi M. Dada Law Office P.C. serves clients from its Novato office and offers virtual services throughout California. A practical next step is to discuss whom you are considering, what responsibilities you expect the person to address, and which questions you still need to resolve.