Free Maryland Medical Power of Attorney Forms

Maryland Medical Power of Attorney Laws

• Section 17-101 - The term “power of attorney” has a broad and general meaning, encompassing any document or record naming an individual (the agent) to act for another person (the principal).
• Section 17-102 - Agents are not required to disclose receipts, disbursements, and transactions conducted on behalf of a principal unless a court or designated authority has ordered them. This protects the welfare of a principal or their estate upon their death.
• Section 17-103 - The following persons may ask the court to interpret or oversee an agent’s actions: the principal or agent, a guardian or fiduciary, a treatment or healthcare proxy, the principal's spouse, parent, or descendant, and more.
• Section 17-104 - No additional or different form of power of attorney may be compulsory to give authority given in a statutory form of power of attorney.

Signing Requirements in Maryland

To be accepted in Maryland courts, a POA must be written by someone who is mentally competent. However, what constitutes mental competence can vary among judges in courts and can also change over time.

In Maryland, you must sign a power of attorney before two witnesses, neither of whom can be your agent. You will only need one more witness if the person granting the power is acting before a notary public, who can serve as your first witness (§ 17-110, Md. Code).

How To Write a Medical POA in Maryland

Here are the steps you should take to write a medical POA in Maryland:

1. Choose an agent to represent you

The individual you choose to serve as your agent will play a crucial role in your healthcare decisions in the future. Choose a person you can trust with your life.

2. Specify the medical decisions your agent is authorized to make

Maryland's medical POA covers many areas, including the majority of healthcare-related choices you would typically make on your own.

In your medical POA, you can set restrictions and limits on your agent's decision-making ability. For situations in which you don’t stipulate specific instructions or conditions, your agent will make their own conclusions about what you would choose.

Under Maryland law, you can specify who your agent can contact if they are unsure about your preferences in a particular circumstance.

3. Sign your form

You should sign your POA in the presence of two witnesses. The notary public who will administer the oath can serve as one witness, along with another person who cannot be your agent.

Your medical POA is valid until you decide to revoke it.

Make suer you give a copy of the document to your agent, primary physician, and close family members. Keep multiple copies in your safekeeping as well. You must distribute new copies once again if you need to update or change your POA.

Conclusion

If you want to legally authorize someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated, a free Maryland medical power of attorney printable form template is a great place to start.

They're easy to use and understand, and they cover all of the bases to ensure that your wishes are respected if an accident or illness renders you unable to speak for yourself.