Estate Planning

Medical Power of Attorney

Choose the person who speaks for you when you cannot make medical decisions yourself.

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Template reviewed and updated on August 17, 2026

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About you

The person granting the medical power of attorney.

Your full name *

Street address *

City *

State *

ZIP code *

Your date of birth *

Why do we ask?

Hospitals match this document to your medical record by name and date of birth, so an exact date prevents your agent from being turned away at the desk.

Your answers stay on your device until the document is generated.

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[Street address][City], AL [ZIP code]

Health care agent: [Health care agent's full name][Agent's street address][City], AL [ZIP code]

[Today's date]

Re: Medical Power of Attorney of [Your full name]

I, [Your full name], born [Your date of birth], residing at [Street address], [City], AL [ZIP code] (the "Principal"), hereby appoint [Health care agent's full name], my [Relationship to you], of [Agent's street address], [City], AL [ZIP code], phone [Agent's phone number], as my health care agent (the "Agent").

If [Health care agent's full name] is unavailable, unable, or unwilling to act, I appoint [Alternate agent (optional)], phone [Alternate agent's phone (optional)] as my alternate health care agent, with the same authority.

Effective date. This medical power of attorney becomes effective only when my attending physician determines that I lack the capacity to make or communicate my own health care decisions, and it remains effective during any such period of incapacity.

Authority granted. While this document is effective, my Agent may make health care decisions on my behalf, including: consenting to or refusing medical treatment, surgery, and medication; selecting and discharging physicians and other providers; authorizing admission to or discharge from hospitals, nursing facilities, and hospice; and receiving my medical records and information. I intend this document to serve as a waiver under HIPAA so my Agent has full access to my protected health information.

Life-sustaining treatment. My Agent's authority includes decisions to provide, withhold, or withdraw life-sustaining treatment, including mechanical ventilation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and artificially administered nutrition and hydration, consistent with my known wishes.

Guidance to my Agent. In making decisions for me, my Agent shall follow these wishes: [Guidance for your agent (optional)]

Standard for decisions. My Agent shall make decisions according to my known wishes and values, and, where my wishes are unknown, in my best interest. My Agent may not be compelled to make any decision contrary to this document.

Revocation and governing law. I may revoke this document at any time by notifying my Agent or my health care provider, orally or in writing. This document is governed by the laws of the State of Alabama.

Execution. Sign this document as your state requires: most states require either two adult witnesses or a notary, and several require both. Witnesses generally may not be your agent, your health care providers, or their employees. Check the execution requirements of the governing state before signing, and give copies to your agent, your physician, and your hospital.

Signature[Your full name]

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A medical power of attorney (also called a health care power of attorney or health care proxy) names the person who makes medical decisions for you if illness or injury leaves you unable to decide for yourself. Without one, hospitals fall back on state surrogate lists or, in disputes, on a court-appointed guardian.

This template lets you name your agent and an alternate, decide whether they control life-sustaining treatment, and record guidance they must follow. Download it in Word and PDF, then sign it with the witnesses or notary your state requires.

Choosing your health care agent

Pick someone who knows your values, can handle pressure, and will advocate for you against pushback from providers or relatives. Availability matters: an agent who can be at the hospital within hours is worth more than a distant relative with better medical knowledge. Most states bar your attending physician and employees of your treating facility from serving as your agent. Always name an alternate, and talk to both people before signing so the appointment never comes as a surprise.

Medical power of attorney vs. living will

The two documents answer different questions. A medical power of attorney names WHO decides; a living will states WHAT you want for end-of-life treatment. They work best together: the living will covers the situations you anticipated, and your agent covers everything you did not. Many states bundle both into a single advance health care directive form.

Which document does what
	Medical power of attorney	Living will
Names a decision maker	Yes	No
States treatment wishes	Optional guidance	Yes, in detail
Covers unforeseen situations	Yes, agent decides	No
Limited to end-of-life care	No	Usually yes

Witnesses, notarization, and where to keep it

Execution rules vary more for medical powers of attorney than for almost any other document. Most states require two adult witnesses, some accept a notary instead, and a few (such as North Carolina) require both. Witness disqualifications are strict: your agent, your providers, and often relatives or heirs cannot witness. After signing, give copies to your agent, your alternate, your primary physician, and any hospital where you receive care, and keep a copy with your other estate documents. A copy is generally as effective as the original.

This document covers medical decisions only

A medical power of attorney gives no authority over your money or property. For finances, use a separate durable power of attorney.

Frequently asked questions

When does my agent's authority start?

Only when your attending physician determines you lack the capacity to make or communicate your own decisions. While you are capable, you keep full control, and your agent has no authority.

Can my agent overrule my stated wishes?

No. Your agent is legally bound to follow the wishes you expressed, in this document or otherwise. Discretion applies only to situations your instructions do not cover.

Is a medical power of attorney valid in another state?

Generally yes: most states honor documents validly executed under another state's law. If you split time between two states, consider executing a document that satisfies both states' witness rules.

Can my spouse automatically make medical decisions without this document?

Often, but not reliably. State surrogate laws usually put a spouse first, but they vary, some situations are excluded, and family disagreements can force a guardianship case. Naming your agent removes the uncertainty.

How do I revoke or change a medical power of attorney?

You can revoke at any time while competent, orally or in writing, by notifying your agent or provider. To change agents, sign a new document: the most recent one controls. Then replace every copy in circulation.

Medical Power of Attorney requirements by state

Rules differ from state to state. Pick your state for the local requirements and statute citations.

You may also need these documents

Estate PlanningDurable Power of AttorneyA financial power of attorney that stays valid through incapacity, so the person you chose can keep managing your affairs when it matters most.Estate PlanningLiving WillA declaration stating your wishes about life-sustaining treatment, resuscitation, and artificial nutrition if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious.Estate PlanningAdvance Health Care DirectiveA combined directive that appoints a health care agent and states your end-of-life treatment wishes in a single document, the format most states now favor.Estate PlanningRevocation of Power of AttorneyA formal written revocation that terminates an existing power of attorney, identifies the original document, and puts your agent and third parties on notice.

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