What is a Representation Agreement?
A representation agreement allows you to appoint a trusted individual to make medical decisions and personal care decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. By working with an estate planning lawyer at Westcoast Wills to help you prepare for the future, you will ensure that a reliable person will be able to make decisions that align with your preferences, values, and previously expressed wishes.
Avoiding Conflict/Relieving Family Burden:
If you become incapacitated without a representation agreement in place, family members may disagree on what decisions to make on your behalf. By establishing a healthcare representative in advance, rest assured that a trusted individual is empowered to make medical decisions in your best interest, eliminating potential conflicts that may arise among members of your family who have different opinions about your medical care.
Provides Peace of Mind:
Knowing that you have a representation agreement in place can provide peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. By appointing someone who understands your specific healthcare preferences, you can breathe easy and focus on other priorities knowing that a trusted individual will be advocating for treatments or interventions that align with your beliefs and values if you become unable to do so yourself.
Clear Communication for End-of-Life Wishes:
A representation agreement can include directives for end-of-life decisions, such as whether you want life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation, or the administration of pain medication. It guarantees that your wishes regarding the withdrawal or continuation of life-sustaining treatment are known and followed.
Guardianship provisions:
If you have minor children, the estate planning lawyers at Westcoast Wills put a provision in your representation agreement that allows someone else to legally care for them if you become incapacitated.
What to do next?
Our estate planning lawyers routinely prepare representation agreements from our offices in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby and Squamish. Find us on Facebook or contact us to get your future planned today.
