Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Re: Medically Speaking

Generally, a live-in who is not married to the patient has no cognizable legal rights.

However, the patient may execute an advance medical directive and give the significant other a medical power of attorney to act, even to the exclusion of family members.

There is a standard form for this document in Virginia that will be accepted at any hospital.

You can Google "Virginia Advance Medical Directive" or go to:

http://www.vda.virginia.gov/pdfdocs/AdvMedDir.pdf

If there is anticipated conflict with other family members, you may wish to get an attorney to assist so there are no questions as to the document's validity.

The form also does not address HIPPA issues, so an attorney could be helpful there as well.

Hope this answer helps.