Healthcare Surrogate Designation in Florida




A health care surrogate designation lets you name someone you trust to make health care decisions for you if you can’t make or communicate those decisions yourself. In Florida, the designation is an important part of advance planning and can be coordinated with a Living Will and other advance directives.

Perez-Roura Law helps Miami individuals and families create and review health care surrogate designations that reflect their wishes and comply with Florida Law.

What Is a Healthcare Surrogate in Florida?

A health care surrogate is a person you designate to make health care decisions for you if you become incapacitated. Florida law allows a written designation to authorize a surrogate to make health care decisions, receive health information, or both. A health care surrogate is sometimes described as a form of medical power of attorney, although Florida uses the specific term health care surrogate designation for this advance directive.

A health care surrogate may have authority to make health care decisions during your incapacity, consult with health care providers, provide required consent, and receive appropriate health information. The surrogate is generally expected to make decisions in accordance with your instructions and what the surrogate reasonably believes you would have chosen if you could decide for yourself.

Choosing the Right Health Care Surrogate

Choosing your health care surrogate is an important part of advance planning. Consider someone you trust to understand your values, communicate with health care providers, and make difficult decisions under pressure.

Your designation can also define the scope of the surrogate’s authority and include any instructions or limitations you want. Depending on how you structure the designation, the surrogate may have authority to make health care decisions or receive health information, including when you can’t make or communicate your own decisions.

Florida law also allows a health care surrogate designation to name an alternate surrogate. Naming an alternate adds an extra layer of planning if your primary surrogate is unavailable or unable to serve.

Health Care Surrogate and Living Will: How Do They Work Together?

A health care surrogate designation and a Living Will serve different purposes, but they can work together as part of a broader advance care plan.

A health care surrogate designation names the person who may make health care decisions on your behalf when authorized. A Living Will expresses your wishes on certain end-of-life medical decisions if you can’t communicate them yourself.

Having both documents can help provide clearer guidance about who may speak for you and what you want your medical care to look like under specific circumstances. Your attorney can help coordinate these documents, so they work together as part of your overall estate and incapacity plan.

Legal Requirements and Document Execution in Florida

For the designation to hold up legally, Florida requires a written document signed by you and two adult witnesses or notarization. Perez-Roura Law ensures your surrogate forms meet all statutory requirements and confirms execution steps: who signs, in what order, and how to validate the document. Once completed, we advise on where to keep the original (e.g., with your medical records, healthcare provider, or trusted family member) and recommend sharing copies with relevant doctors, facilities, and your agent.

Amending or Revoking Your Health Care Surrogate Designation

Your health care planning may need to change as your life changes. You may want to name a different surrogate, add or change an alternate surrogate, or update your instructions and preferences.

Florida law allows a competent principal to amend or revoke an advance directive in several ways, including through a signed and dated writing, physical cancellation or destruction of the document, an oral expression of intent, or a subsequently executed advance directive that is materially different from the previous one. An amendment or revocation becomes effective when you communicate it to the surrogate health care provider or health care facility.

Supporting Families and Surrogates Through Real-Life Decisions

When your surrogate must act, the stakes are high, and emotions may run deep. Perez-Roura Law supports both the individual and their surrogate during this time. We coach surrogates on how to communicate with medical teams, interpret treatment options, and handle family concerns. We can also provide legal guidance if disagreements arise, ensuring your wishes are upheld and your surrogate’s authority is respected.

Why Perez-Roura Law for Surrogate Planning in Miami

Our firm combines legal knowledge with empathetic service. We take time to understand your values, discuss sensitive topics with care, and draft documents that reflect your voice. We stay informed on Florida healthcare laws and medical ethics to ensure your plan is legally sound and medically effective. When needed, we coordinate with doctors, caregivers, and family members to keep everyone on the same page and your voice guiding your care.

Appointing a healthcare surrogate is a gift to yourself and your loved ones. With Perez-Roura Law guiding the process, you’ll feel confident your healthcare decisions remain as personal and respected as you are. Contact us to create or review your healthcare surrogate designation and secure your medical voice for all tomorrow’s possibilities.