MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY. A power of attorney is an instrument or contract where one individual, known as the principal, authorizes another individual, known as the agent or attorney in fact, to make health care or financial decisions on behalf of the principal. Texas has a standard Medical Power of Attorney form for health care decisions. The Medical Power of Attorney "springs" into effect at the time the principal's physician certifies in writing that the principal has become unable to make healthcare decisions. Even after the principal executes the Medical Power of Attorney, the principal has the right to make healthcare decisions as long as the principal is able to do so. Also, treatment cannot be given or stopped over the principal's objection regardless of whether the principal is competent. The agent's authority may be revoked by the principal, by divorce, by guardianship, or by other means.

DIRECTIVE TO PHYSICIAN. A Directive to Physician, or living will, is an instrument executed by a "declarant" wherein the declarant communicates his or her wishes about a medical treatment at some time in the future to his or her physician, family or surrogates. The medical treatment decision is whether to administer, withhold or withdraw life-sustaining procedures for a terminal or irreversible condition if natural death is imminent. A terminal condition is an incurable condition which will probably produce death within six months. An irreversible condition may be treated by not cured, leaves a person unable to care for or make decisions for the person's own self, and is fatal without life-sustaining treatment. Texas has a standard Directive to Physician form. If a declarant does not have a Medical Power of Attorney, he or she may designate persons to make treatment decisions with the declarant's physician consistent with the declarant's values. It is recommended that one have both a Medical Power of Attorney and Directive to Physician. A declarant may revoke a directive at any time without regard to the declarant's mental state or competency.

OUT-OF-HOSPITAL DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE ORDER. This form was designed to comply with the requirements as set forth in Chapter 166 of the Health and Safety Code relating to the issuance of Out-of-Hospital Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) orders for the purpose of instructing Emergency Medical Personnel and other health care professionals to forego resuscitation attempts and to permit the patient to have a natural death with peace and dignity. The order does NOT affect the provision of other emergency care including comfort care. This document can be revoked at any time.

DESIGNATION OF GUARDIAN BEFORE NEED ARISES. The Designation of Guardian before Need Arises allows a person to say who the person would want as guardian, if a guardian ever were needed. This document also allows a person to forbid the guardianship court from ever naming certain individuals as guardian. The guardianship court cannot appoint such a "de-designated" individual as guardian for the person who executes the Designation. This document can be revoked by executing a new designation that revokes a prior one, or by destroying or canceling (striking through) the designation.