Table of Contents

• Overview
• Types of Medical Power of Attorney in California
• When Is Medical Power of Attorney Needed in California?
• Who Can Serve as a Medical Power of Attorney in California?
• How to Get Medical Power of Attorney in California
• Does Medical Power of Attorney Need to be Notarized in California?
• How Much Does a Power of Attorney Cost in California?
• Does Spouse Automatically Have Medical Power of Attorney in California?
• Who Makes Medical Decisions if There Is No Power of Attorney California?

Overview

In California, a medical power of attorney allows you to appoint another person you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf. This person is known as your healthcare agent or durable healthcare proxy. A medical power of attorney is also known as an advance healthcare directive or healthcare directive. You can grant your healthcare agent the power to make decisions about your medical care in the event you become incapacitated, such as if you become unconscious or otherwise unable to make medical decisions.

Types of Medical Power of Attorney in California

There are two types of medical power of attorney in California:

• The Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: This document gives you the right to name a person to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make them for yourself.
• The California Natural Death Act: This document allows you to specify what type of medical care you do or do not want in the event you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious.

When Is Medical Power of Attorney Needed in California?

In California, a medical power of attorney is needed when you become incapacitated and unable to make decisions about your medical care. This document allows you to appoint someone to make those decisions on your behalf.

Who Can Serve as a Medical Power of Attorney in California?

In California, your healthcare agent can be any competent adult over the age of 18 that you trust and who is willing to accept the responsibility. It can also be a family member, friend, or an attorney.

How to Get Medical Power of Attorney in California

In California, you can get a medical power of attorney by downloading a form from the California Department of Public Health website or from the California Attorney General’s website. The form must be signed by you, a witness, and a notary public.

Does Medical Power of Attorney Need to be Notarized in California?

Yes, in California, a medical power of attorney needs to be notarized in order to be valid.

How Much Does a Power of Attorney Cost in California?

In California, the fees for a medical power of attorney vary depending on the county in which you file the document. Generally, the cost is $15 to file a power of attorney.

Does Spouse Automatically Have Medical Power of Attorney in California?

No, in California, a spouse does not automatically have medical power of attorney. In order for a spouse to be granted medical power of attorney, they must be appointed as the healthcare agent in a valid and notarized medical power of attorney.

Who Makes Medical Decisions if There Is No Power of Attorney California?

If there is no medical power of attorney in place, in California, medical decisions will be made by the patient’s closest living relative, such as a spouse, adult child, parent, or sibling. If the patient has no living relatives, the medical decisions will be