The Villages, FL asked in Elder Law and Health Care Law for California

Q: DPOA documents from Another State- does California have to obide

My dad lives in another state. I am his DPOA for healthcare, financial and numerous other items. I am his healthcare proxy,also.

We have a letter signed by doctor that Dad should not be making his own financial or personal decisions.

The medical personnel Ca is stating that this documents are NOT enforceable in California. Medical personnel claims dad would have to be declared "incapacitated" by the courts, for me to override ANY decisions dad is making.

Please clarify.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Adam Stoddard
Adam Stoddard
Answered
  • Elder Law Lawyer
  • Santa Clara, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Generally, a DPOA that is valid when executed (in any state) will remain valid even if you move to another state; however, it is still a good idea to execute a DPOA in the new state. Typically a DPOA is for financial decisions, not medical.

You should probably look into a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. A DPOA for health care directives allows the patient to appoint another person to be their health care "agent" who will have legal authority to make decisions about the patient's medical care if they become unable to make those decisions for themselves and it memorializes their health care wishes in the form of an Advanced Health Care Directive.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.