Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
My boyfriend and I have been cohabitating for 10 years. We would like to know what kind of documents we would need to be able to make medical decisions for each other in case of an emergency or even to obtain medical information about the other without being legally married?
1 Answer from Attorneys
You need two things:
(1) Medical Power of Attorney - Allows you to make medical decisions for each other. Make certain you use a Texas form, not something you just randomly find on the Internet. Many law firms, such as mine, will prepare these for you via "email" so you don't have to come to the office and you can be sure the document is proper.
(2) HIPPA Authorization - HIPPA provides a form of release so that you can authorize the disclosure of medical information to a third party. In effect, that's what you do when you go to the Doctor and sign a form allowing them to disclose your private health care information with your insurance company. You can get this form here: http://www.nycourts.gov/forms/hipaa_fillable.pdf
Good luck!!