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Vandervoort, Christ & Pisher, P.C.70 Michigan Avenue WestSuite 450 (269) 965-7000Maybe. We%u2019ve served many people and businesses since ourinception in 1943. Our reputation has helped us to becomeone of the oldest firms in the area. We would like to serve youif we can. YOUR JUDGMENT OF US IS OUR REPUTATION!SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1943CHRIST & FISHER, P.C.ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORSVANDERVOORT,www.vcflaw.comElderly Law | Wills, Trusts | Real Estate | BankruptcyGuardianship & Conservatorship | Power of AttorneyFamily Law | Probate & Trust AdministrationSELECTING AN ATTORNEYHow Do You Know Who To Choose? Should you select us?Jessica L. BrandowAttorneyLaw Office of Jessica Brandow, PLLCjessica@brandow-law.com+1 269 888 9455www.brandow-law.comState Bar of Michigan - Attorney ProfileCare Planning (ACP) includes all types of care you would or would not want to receive if you are unable to communicate your choices on your own at that time. It is sometimes an ongoing process of conversations between you, your family and loved ones, health care providers, and legal representation. Ultimately, your plan will include the communication and documentation of your values, beliefs, and wishes for the future and final health care treatments.It is important to know that documents can be revoked or changed overtime if your wishes change. Take the time to be sure others know about the changes and are not surprised in the end causing distress and potential rivalry between surviving loved ones. While it may not seem so at the moment, it is a gift for family during a time of crisis decisions. Having a Durable Power of Attorney for Medical Care, also known as a Patient Advocate Designation, is part of a great long-term plan. However, when complimented by a Durable Power of Attorney for financial matters they can help avoid many problems for you and your loved ones.In both the Patient Advocate Designation and the Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) for finances you (the principal) appoint a person (the agent) to handle matters for you when you cannot. Many refer to this as appointing a surrogate decision maker. The agent is chosen for the purpose of acting in the best interest of the principal in any decisions and actions taken by the agent.In the Patient Advocate Designation, you appoint an agent to make your medical decisions, as well as physical care and custody decisions, if you cannot make your own care decisions. Under Michigan law, a Patient Advocate Designation cannot make decisions for you until two doctors have determined that you are incapable of participating in the decision making process for your medical decisions. Be sure your Patient Advocate has copies of your legal document so they can present to health care providers when needed.If you wish to have your agent be able to makes decisions that would potentially result in your death, such as withdrawal of life sustaining treatment, the Patient Advocate Designation document must indicate your wishes in a clear and convincing manner. For this reason, there is often a special paragraph in the document on this specific issue where the principal acknowledges in writing his or her choice.If you become incapacitated and there is no one that can legally take action on your behalf loved ones will need to request that the local probate court enter a court order appointing a conservator to make your financial decisions or a guardian to make your medical and personal care decisions.In the Durable Power of Attorney for finances, you appoint an agent to make decisions and otherwise handle financial matters for you. The DPOA document can be effective immediately, when you have mental capacity but otherwise need assistance, such as when it is physically ADVANCEPrepare Legal Documents for Your CareSENIOR HOUSING DIRECTORY | 202636