Healthcare Surrogate Designation




Perez-Roura Law helps Miami residents appoint a trusted healthcare surrogate through legally sound documents, ensuring medical decisions align with their values if they cannot speak for themselves.

Designating a healthcare surrogate is a crucial step in planning for the possibility that you may be unable to communicate medical decisions for yourself. Whether due to illness, injury, or emergency, appointing a surrogate gives peace of mind that those decisions will reflect your values and wishes. At Perez-Roura Law, we help clients in Miami create clear, legally binding surrogate designations, coordinate them with advance directives, and provide ongoing support as situations evolve.

What Is a Healthcare Surrogate and Why It Matters

A healthcare surrogate (also known as a medical power of attorney) is a person you designate to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated. Without this designation, Florida law may require family members to petition for guardianship—a process that is time-consuming, public, and costly. By appointing a surrogate ahead of time, you avoid court involvement, reduce family stress, and ensure decisions are made by someone you trust. This designation can include decisions about treatment, life-sustaining care, placement in healthcare facilities, and organ donation.

Choosing the Right Surrogate and Defining Their Authority

Selecting the right person is vital. We guide clients in choosing an agent who knows their values, stays calm under pressure, and is willing to take on responsibility. We also help clients document clear instructions: when surrogate authority begins (e.g., upon diagnosis of incapacity), and any limits (e.g., refusal of blood transfusions, religious preferences). This precision ensures your surrogate acts with clarity and confidence and that providers and family members understand boundaries when decisions are needed.

Integration with Living Wills and Advance Directives

A healthcare surrogate designation works best as part of a comprehensive advance planning portfolio. We help clients pair their surrogate appointment with a living will or advance directive—which outlines your wishes for resuscitation, life support, pain relief, and comfort measures. Together, these documents form a complete planning strategy: the living will guides care, while the surrogate enforces and interprets those wishes as circumstances arise.

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, Revoking, or Reviewing the Designation Over Time

Your life may change—so should your legal planning. You may choose a new surrogate, modify decision authority, or revoke the designation entirely. We help clients make these updates with formal revocation notices and ensure that outdated documents are withdrawn from record. Our ongoing services include periodic check-ins to confirm the agent is still appropriate and the preferences current—especially after major life events like marriage, divorce, or health changes.

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, ensuring your plan is legally sound and medically effective. When needed, we coordinate with doctors, caregivers, and family members to ensure everyone is on the same page—and your voice continues to guide your care.

Appointing a healthcare surrogate is a gift to yourself and your loved ones. With Perez-Roura Law guiding the process, you’ll have confidence that 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.