When you give an individual power of attorney , you allow that individual to make legal, financial, or other decisions in your stead. If you choose to grant power of attorney, you may opt to turn over decision-making immediately, or only under certain circumstances. Health care power of attorney is a document that allows a person you trust to make decisions on your behalf in terms of health care and treatment options if you are unable to communicate or make these decisions for yourself. Without this document, health care decisions will fall to family members in an order specified by state law. You can find out more about granting health care power of attorney in this informative video; if you have other questions about this document or about any other aspect of estate planning or will writing, contact your lawyer in Baltimore for personalized answers and advice.