Designation of Health Care Surrogate Florida Form: What You Need to Know

What is a Health Care Surrogate?

A health care surrogate is someone who is appointed by you to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This person can be a family member, friend, or even a professional. In the state of Florida, you can designate a health care surrogate by filling out a special form.

What Does a Health Care Surrogate Do?

Once designated, your health care surrogate is responsible for making important medical decisions on your behalf, such as deciding what treatments you will receive or even whether you will be taken off of life support. They must act in accordance with your wishes and beliefs, as expressed in the form.

Who Can Be a Health Care Surrogate?

In Florida, a health care surrogate must be an adult over the age of 18. They must also be of sound mind, able to make decisions and understand the consequences of those decisions. Your health care surrogate must also be willing to make decisions in accordance with your wishes and beliefs.

What Happens if You Don’t Have a Health Care Surrogate?

If you don’t designate a health care surrogate, the courts can appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf. This person may not be someone you would have chosen to make decisions for you, and they may not act in accordance with your wishes and beliefs. Therefore, it is important to designate a health care surrogate in order to ensure that your wishes are respected.

How Do You Designate a Health Care Surrogate?

In Florida, you must designate a health care surrogate by filling out a form. This form can be found on the Florida Department of Health website. The form must be signed by you and your health care surrogate in the presence of two witnesses. Once the form is completed and signed, it must be filed with the county clerk.

What Should You Consider When Designating a Health Care Surrogate?

When selecting a health care surrogate, it is important to choose someone who is trustworthy and willing to make decisions in accordance with your wishes. You should also consider their emotional and physical ability to handle this responsibility. It is also important to discuss your wishes and beliefs with your health care surrogate so that they can make decisions in accordance with them.

What Happens if Your Health Care Surrogate Cannot Make Decisions?

If your health care surrogate is unable to make decisions on your behalf, the court can appoint someone else to make decisions for you. This person may not act in accordance with your wishes and beliefs, so it is important to select another health care surrogate to act in their place.

Conclusion

Designating a health care surrogate is an important step in ensuring your wishes are respected during medical emergencies. In Florida, you can designate a health care surrogate by filling out a form and filing it with the county clerk. It is important to choose someone who is trustworthy and willing to make decisions in accordance with your wishes and beliefs.