The Necessity

• If you're unable to make decisions regarding your child's health--whether he should be vaccinated, whether she should undergo surgery, what medicines he should take--you can use a medical power of attorney to give that authority to someone you trust.
  
  

Types

• A medical power of attorney form can be written so it will only be in effect for a limited time. You can restrict when it takes effect, so it only applies when you're incapacitated with injury or illness or abroad, such as on a military assignment. And you can write it so the "attorney in fact" only has limited authority and still requires your consent for certain procedures.
  
  

How To Write It

• Forms are available online for most states; many of them allow you to cross out or otherwise indicate which specific powers the attorney in fact will be given.
  
  

Considerations

• Never delegate authority to the attorney in fact that you wouldn't want her to use. If you're not sure the power of attorney document says exactly what you want, consult a lawyer.
  
  

Revocation

• You have the authority to revoke the power of attorney at any time.