Section 155.65. Filing power of attorney instrument.

 

(1)  A principal or a principal's health care agent may, for a fee, file the principal's power of attorney for health care instrument, for safekeeping, with the register in probate of the county in which the principal resides.

(2)  If a principal or health care agent has filed the principal's power of attorney for health care instrument as specified in sub. (1) , the following persons may have access to the instrument without first obtaining consent from the principal:

(a) The health care agent for the principal.

(b) A health care provider who is providing care to the principal.

(c) The court and all parties involved in proceedings in this state for adjudication of incompetency and appointment of a guardian for the principal, for emergency detention under s. 51.15 , for involuntary commitment under s. 51.20 , or for protective placement or protective services under ch. 55 .

(d) Any person under the order of a court for good cause shown.

(3)  Failure to file a power of attorney for health care instrument under sub. (1) creates no presumption about the intent of an individual with regard to his or her health care decisions.

1991 a. 281 ; 2005 a. 387 .