{"id":351879,"date":"2026-07-08T08:44:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T13:44:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/living-together\/unmarried-partners-medical-directives-and-the-durable-power-of.html"},"modified":"2026-07-14T11:24:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T16:24:00","slug":"unmarried-partners-medical-directives-and-the-durable-power-of","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/living-together\/unmarried-partners-medical-directives-and-the-durable-power-of.html","title":{"rendered":"Unmarried Partners: Medical Directives and the Durable Power of Attorney for Finances"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Unmarried Partners: Medical Directives and the Durable Power of Attorney for Finances<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Jade Yeban, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aisha Success, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Unmarried couples are often excluded for making financial or emergency medical decisions for each other. Medical directives and durable powers of attorney for finances help unmarried couples establish their wishes. They can name a representative in these documents to make decisions in case of an emergency or similar situation. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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It is easy to become seriously injured or be otherwise unable to make important decisions. Many partners want to make sure their partner has a say in their affairs. So your partner can make choices for you, you need to create at least two things:<\/p>\n