• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC

Vermont Estate Planning Attorneys

Vermont: (802) 879-7133

Attend A Free Workshop
  • Home
  • Our Firm
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
    • What to Expect When Working with Us
  • Services
    • Estate Planning
    • Incapacity Planning
    • IRA & Retirement Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Medicaid Planning & Elder Law
    • Pet Planning
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Trust Administration
    • Young Families Planning
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Elder Law Resources
      • Burlington
      • Montpelier
      • Rutland
      • St. Johnsbury
      • White River Junction
    • Estate And Gift Tax Figures
    • Free Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Estate and Gift Tax
      • Estate Planning
      • FAQs for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Incapacity Planning
      • IRA & Retirement Planning
      • Legacy Wealth Planning
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning
      • Medicaid
      • Pet Planning
      • Special Needs Planning
      • Trust Administration
      • Trusts
      • Wills
    • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
    • Medicaid Resources
      • Medicaid Analysis Worksheet
      • Medicaid Guide
      • Vermont Medicaid
    • Newsletters
    • Presentations
    • Reports
      • Advanced Estate Planning
      • Basic Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning for Niches
    • SECURE Act
    • Top Estate Planning Techniques
  • Webinars/Seminars
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • BLOG
  • Contact
Home » Is Your Healthcare Agent the Right One for You?

Is Your Healthcare Agent the Right One for You?

June 18, 2013 by Stephen Unsworth

When you create your estate plan, you will be prompted to select a healthcare agent. This individual will make medical and life-saving decisions on your behalf and work closely with physicians overseeing your care. While you may think a family member or spouse is the best selection, you will want to double check. Sometimes it is in your best interest to have a professional or party not vested in your assets oversee your healthcare.

Some things to consider when selecting your healthcare agent:

  1. How old is your agent? Some states require your agent to be 18 or 21 years in order to make decisions on your behalf. Even if your agent is your child, he or she must be of the legal age first.
  2. Where does your healthcare agent live? A healthcare agent in another state isn’t the best selection. They may not be able to come and serve when they’re needed – especially in emergency situations. Also, your state may require you select a healthcare agent who lives locally, which means your designation could be denied.
  3. How reachable is your agent? Your best friend may be your ideal choice, but if he’s someone who never answers his phone or doesn’t return phone calls, you may want to select a different party. Your ideal agent is one that you can reach in emergency situations and without hassle.
  4. Do you trust your agent? Some people automatically select their parents, but will their parents be able to carry out their wishes? What if you don’t want life-saving treatments, will your parents be able to deny them when the time comes? Consider the wishes set out in your living will and make sure the health care agent you select can actually honor them before you elect that person.
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Stephen Unsworth
Stephen Unsworth
Stephen A. Unsworth is admitted to practice in both Vermont and Maine, and has more than 30 years of experience in estate planning and business law. His mission is to provide quality estate planning services, including assistance with Living Trusts, Wills, Medicaid Planning, Probate, Trust Administration, Powers of Attorney, Special Needs Planning, and Family Limited Partnerships.
Stephen Unsworth
Latest posts by Stephen Unsworth (see all)
  • Is a Trustee Paid? - August 2, 2022
  • What Happens If I Die Without a Will in Vermont? - July 26, 2022
  • Social Security Retirement Benefits – How to Decide When to Retire - July 14, 2022

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: healthcare agent, Estate Planning, incapacity planning

Other Articles You May Find Useful

Essex Junction elder law attorneys
How to Spot Signs of Elder Abuse
Essex Junction trust attorneys
Is a Trustee Paid?
How Do I Trust Thee…Part III
Essex Junction estate planning attorney
What Happens If I Die Without a Will in Vermont?
How Do I Trust Thee…Part II
How Do I Trust Thee…Part I

Primary Sidebar

Elder Law and Medicaid Planning Attorneys

Unsworth LaPlante, PLC

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHEET

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Blog Subscription

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Essex Junction, VT

26 Railroad Ave
Essex Junction, VT 05452
United States (US)
Phone: (802) 879-7133
Fax: (802) 879-0408

Map

unsworth_sidbr_map

Office Hours

Monday8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Footer

footer-logo
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The information on this Vermont Attorneys & Lawyers / Law Firm website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Site Map | Powered by American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

© 2022 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.