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The Florida Power of Attorney document is a document that allows a person to legally convey responsibility to someone they trust to make important and critical decisions on their behalf. Chapter 765 of the Florida Statues set the standards and limitations for power of attorney forms in the state. These statutes specify that the Principal (the person conveying responsibility) must be a competent adult, that the document must be signed by him or her, and witnessed by at least two (2) adult witnesses. These statues also protect the Principal if the Agent (the individual who was appointed to make decisions on the Principal's behalf) makes a medical decision that the attending physician does not agree with. Florida law urges the physician to make a reasonable effort to transfer care to a willing healthcare provider if he or she does not agree with the decisions made. Furthermore, if the doctor is unwilling to carry out the Principal's wishes, he or she must transfer the patient to another healthcare provider within seven (7) days and pay the cost to do so.
A Florida power of attorney is a document can be completed in a fair amount of time, however, it is imperative that the information be accurate. The first piece of information that the Principal must provide is their own. This means that the Principal's full first and last name must be documented, along with his or her full address. Next, the Agent will be appointed by providing his or her full name, address, and contact number. Once the identity of the Agent (and backup agent, if desired) has been provided, the Principal will then describe the powers being conveyed to the Agent. Power of attorney documents come in many forms, and it is imperative that the Agent's powers have been described so that the Principal may sign and date the document in the presence of his or her witnesses so that the document may take effect.