What is a Texas Medical Power of Attorney?
A Texas medical power of attorney is a legal document that allows you, the principal, the ability to designate a trusted family member or friend to make medical decisions for you if you become unconscious or mentally incapable of making those decisions for yourself.
What Authority Does an Agent Have?
The person you designate to make medical decisions, called your agent, can make health care decisions for you after your physician determines that you lack capacity. Those decisions may include consenting to treatment, refusing treatment, speaking with medical providers, and making judgment calls based on your values and stated wishes.
The agent’s authority is limited to the period of incapacity. If you regain capacity, decision-making authority returns to you immediately. The document is designed to step in only when necessary, and to step back out just as easily.
Medical powers of attorney are not just for the elderly. Unexpected injuries or illnesses can occur at any age, so all adults should have one in place.
Choosing the Right Person to Serve as Agent?
Choosing an agent requires careful thought. This should be someone you trust to listen, ask questions, and make decisions under pressure. It should also be someone who understands your priorities and is willing to carry out your wishes, even when those wishes are difficult.
Although many people default to close family members, the right choice is not always your closest relative. Some people are deeply caring but struggle in high-stress situations. Others may have strong opinions about medical interventions that differ from yours. A good agent is someone who can set aside their personal feelings and focus on what your wishes.
It is also important to consider their proximity to you. An agent should be available in an emergency and willing to take on the responsibility. Naming an alternate agent can provide additional protection if your first choice is unavailable.
What Are the Requirements of a Medical Power of Attorney in Texas?
To be valid in Texas, a medical power of attorney must either be:
- signed by you in the presence of two witnesses, who also sign the document; or
- signed by you in the presence of a notary public.
If you are physically unable to sign, another person may sign the medical power of attorney with your name, so long as he or she signs in your presence and at your direction.
Can Anyone be a Witness?
Witnesses who sign a power of attorney must be competent adults. Also, at least one of the witnesses cannot be someone who:
- you have designated to make health care treatment decisions on your behalf
- is related to you by blood or marriage;
- is a beneficiary of your estate;
- has a claim on your estate;
- is your attending physician;
- your attending physician employs; or
- is an employee of a health care facility where you reside, if the employee provides direct care to you or is an officer, director, partner, or business office employee of the health care facility or of any parent organization of the health care facility.
Signing in front of a notary public eliminates the need for signing in the presence of two witnesses.
Legal Requirements of a Medical Power of Attorney in Texas
To be valid in Texas, a medical power of attorney must either be:
- signed by you in the presence of two witnesses, who also sign the document; or
- signed by you in the presence of a notary public.
If you are physically unable to sign, another person may sign the medical power of attorney with your name, so long as he or she signs in your presence and at your direction.
When Does a Medical Power of Attorney Become Effective?
The medical power of attorney becomes effective immediately after you execute it and deliver it to your agent. It is effective indefinitely unless it contains a specific termination date or you revoke it.
If the medical power of attorney has a specific termination date, but you are incompetent on that date, the medical power of attorney continues to be effective until you become competent.
When Does the Agent Have Authority to Act?
A medical power of attorney authorizes your agent to act on your behalf only after your attending physician certifies in writing and files the certification in your medical records that, based on his reasonable medical judgment, you are incompetent.
As long as you can make medical decisions for yourself, you are the one in control. However, if you cannot make these decisions, your “agent” can legally make medical decisions for you.
Regardless of the existence of a medical power of attorney or the declaration of incompetence, the statutes specify that no medical provider can give or withhold treatment from you if you object.
Can I Revoke a Medical Power of Attorney?
You can revoke a medical power of attorney by notifying either your agent or your health care provider, orally or in writing, of your intent to revoke it. The revocation will be effective regardless of your capacity to make health care decisions.
You can also revoke a medical power of attorney by executing a new one.
If you appoint your spouse as your agent, a divorce will revoke the medical power of attorney unless you provide otherwise.
Who Makes Medical Decisions if I Don’t Have a Power of Attorney
Texas has a statute that outlines who makes medical decisions if you do not have a power of attorney. You can find out more by reading: Who Makes Medical Decisions If There Is No Power of Attorney.
This article was originally published on December 28, 2009 and updated on January 24, 2026.
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