Powers of Attorney & Advance Directive (Plus HIPAA Release)

Why this matters

Planning isn’t only about what happens after death. If illness or injury makes you unable to act, the right documents let trusted people step in quickly and legally. This guide explains the core incapacity tools, how they fit together, and what to upload and share. Family Harbor helps you organize these files in your own Google Drive, map who can access what, and keep track of renewals and updates.

The four documents at a glance

Financial Power of Attorney (POA)

Lets someone you choose (agent/attorney-in-fact) handle money and property matters while you’re alive. Can be “durable” (continues if you’re incapacitated). May be effective immediately or “springing” on a doctor’s certification.

Health-Care Power of Attorney (a.k.a. health-care proxy/medical POA)

Authorizes your agent to make medical decisions if you can’t communicate.

Advance Directive (living will)

States your wishes about medical care (life support, pain relief, end-of-life preferences). Your health-care agent and doctors use this for guidance.

HIPAA Authorization/Release

Permits named people to receive your protected health information so providers can speak with them and share records.

Family Harbor keeps each of these in a clearly labeled folder with a one-page “Access Map” showing who can see and use them now versus only if needed later.

How they work together

The financial POA covers banking, bills, taxes, real estate, and everyday logistics.

The health-care POA covers treatment choices and consent.

The advance directive guides the health-care agent and medical team.

The HIPAA release ensures providers can disclose information to your agent and any alternates or family you list.

Key decisions you’ll make

Who to name as agent and at least one alternate (availability, honesty, ability to organize).

Scope of financial powers (pay bills, manage accounts, real estate, deal with insurers, access digital assets).

Timing for the financial POA (immediate vs springing on incapacity).

Healthcare values (life-sustaining measures, artificial nutrition/hydration, pain control, organ donation).

Information sharing via HIPAA (who can be informed even if they’re not your decision-maker).

Family Harbor’s checklists include prompts for each decision and a spot to record “why I chose this” so future helpers understand your intent.

Formalities and state rules (quick orientation)

Signing requirements vary by state: some need notarization, some need witnesses, some require both.

Many institutions have their own POA or medical forms; using them can speed acceptance.

Some states have statutory templates that are widely recognized.

Use this guide for organization; complete documents with a licensed attorney or a reputable state-specific provider.

Where to store originals and copies

Keep paper originals of POAs and advance directive in a safe, accessible place at home (not a sealed safe-deposit box).

Upload scanned PDFs to your Family Harbor Drive folders.

Provide copies to your agents, primary doctor, and, if you wish, close family listed on your HIPAA release.

Put a wallet card or phone note: “My health-care agent is ___, phone ___.”

Family Harbor’s Access Map shows who has current access to each file and who gains access only if an incident occurs.

Using a financial POA in real life

Banks and brokerages may ask for their internal form or a recent notarized POA; some will review for acceptance.

Real estate actions may require recording the POA with the county before signing deeds.

Consider adding powers for digital assets and tax matters (IRS Form 2848 or 8821 may still be needed).

Family Harbor provides a place to store institution-specific POAs and acceptance letters so you don’t have to redo work later.

Healthcare POA, advance directive, and HIPAA in practice

Give copies to your primary care provider and any specialists; ask that they place them in your chart.

Share the HIPAA release with providers and insurers so they can speak to your agent and alternates.

Make sure your agent knows your preferences from the advance directive; documents guide, but conversations help most.

Updating and revoking

Update when you move states, agents change, you marry/divorce, or your preferences shift.

Clearly revoke older POAs in writing and notify anyone who had a copy.

Replace outdated HIPAA releases and redisplay the new ones in your Drive and Access Map.

Family Harbor reminders can nudge you to review these files yearly or after a life change.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Naming someone who is far away, unavailable, or disorganized.

Forgetting alternates.

Creating a trust or beneficiary plan but not aligning your POA powers and HIPAA release with it.

Assuming a springing POA is faster; in practice, proving incapacity can delay action.

Failing to tell your agents where documents live and how to access them.

What to upload into Family Harbor

Signed Financial POA (PDF) + any bank/brokerage-specific POAs and acceptance letters.

Signed Health-Care POA (PDF).

Signed Advance Directive (PDF).

Signed HIPAA Release listing agent, alternates, and any “info-only” recipients.

Agent Contact Sheet (names, phones, emails).

Optional: Doctor letter acknowledging receipt; screenshots of patient-portal uploads; notes on where physical originals are stored.

Sharing: who sees what

Agents should have view access now to the documents they may need in an emergency.

For broader family, consider view-only later (shared when certain conditions are met).

Use Family Harbor’s Access Map to record: “who can view now,” “who gets access if I’m hospitalized,” and “who gets access only after death.”

Quick FAQs

Do these documents replace a will or trust?

No. They operate while you’re alive. Wills/trusts handle what happens after death.

Is a notarized online version okay?

Often yes, but rules vary by state and by institution. Check your state and ask your bank/insurer.

Can I name co-agents?

You can, but joint signatures can slow things down. Many people name one primary plus alternates.

Next steps with Family Harbor

Complete state-appropriate forms with your attorney or a trusted provider.

Scan and upload to your Family Harbor folders.

Fill your Access Map and share view access with your agents.

Add your doctor and key institutions to the distribution list.

This guide is educational and not legal or medical advice. Work with qualified professionals to draft the right documents for your state and situation. Family Harbor’s role is to keep everything organized, shared with the right people, and easy to find when it matters.