If a husband has a durable power of attorney naming a friend, can that friend then use that power to make medical decisions for the husband’s wife who isdying in the hospital?

If a husband has a durable power of attorney naming a friend, can that friend then use that power to make medical decisions for the husband’s wife who isdying in the hospital?

Wife is dying in the hospital and husband is told he needed a durable power of attorney so that decisions could be made by (friend-not family) on his wife’s medical treatment. Wife still has all of her mental faculties. My understanding is that the POA applies inky to the husband any not the wife?

Asked on November 2, 2011 under Estate Planning, Hawaii

Answers:

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