The Washington Medical Power of Attorney furnishes paperwork to corroborate the granting of controls over health care decisions to an alternate party. The bestowed agency is transferred for the purpose of indicating a preferred party to make selections regarding the principal’s treatment options should they no longer be able to make the decisions on their own. The declarant can issue the form to prepare for situations where unconsciousness may occur or a persistent vegetative state. The person selected to receive the authority to allocate determinations of the principal’s health should be carefully designated because of the associated responsibility inherited with the agreement’s signing. Signatures must be obtained under the observation of a notary professional or by affirmation of two (2) witnessing individuals allowed by the Revised Code of Washington § 11-125-050 to certify the commitment properly.

Laws

Statute – Washington Natural Death Act (R.C.W. § 70-122-010 – § 70-122-925 ) and Uniform Power of Attorney Act (R.C.W. § 11-125-010 – § 11-125-903)

Definition – “Power of attorney” means a writing that uses the term “power of attorney” and grants authority to an agent to act in the place of the principal (§ 11-125-020(7)).

Signing Requirements – It is required to have a notary present to view the signing process or, in place of a notary, two (2) qualified witnesses (§ 11-125-050).