Can you imagine what a nightmare you would endure if say, your widowed father, who had all of his legal documents drawn up years ago, were hospitalized after a stroke?

Imagine it. There he is. He cannot communicate and may not pull out of it. You are devastated but somewhat comforted by the fact that, after your mom died, Dad had all the right legal documents drawn up.

You rush home and dig through the pile of papers. You grab the Power of Attorney for Health Care and, to be extra sure, a...