Health Care Proxy vs. Power of Attorney: What's the Difference? ✦
The one-sentence difference between a health care proxy and power of attorney, and how to decide if you need one or both.
The One-Sentence Difference
A health care proxy makes medical decisions on your behalf; a general or financial power of attorney manages your money and legal affairs. Same idea of "someone acting for you," completely different job.
What a Health Care Proxy Actually Covers
Treatment decisions, hospital consent, end-of-life care choices, and communicating your wishes to your medical team when you can't do it yourself. It's a purely medical role.
What a Financial or General Power of Attorney Covers
Paying bills, managing accounts, handling property, and legal transactions. It has nothing to do with medical decisions unless the document is specifically written to include them, which is uncommon.
Do You Need Both?
Most people benefit from having both, and they can absolutely be the same trusted person or two different people, depending on who is best suited for each kind of decision.
How to Choose the Right Person for Each Role
Pick your health care proxy based on who stays calm and clear-headed under pressure and will honor your wishes even if they'd personally choose differently. Pick your financial power of attorney based on who is organized and trustworthy with money. It's completely fine if that's not the same person.
Ready to get this done?
One less worry, when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my health care proxy and financial power of attorney be different people?⌄
Yes, and for many families that's actually the better setup, since the two roles require different strengths.
Keep Reading
Before & Beside provides education, guided document preparation, and family conversation support. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. Signing and witnessing requirements vary by state and can change; please confirm current requirements in your state and consult an attorney for complex legal, estate, or financial questions. Documents you complete with us are meant to be shared with your physician, hospice or palliative care team, and your attorney.