Complete Guide to Healthcare Power of Attorney in Chattanooga
A healthcare power of attorney is an important legal document that lets you name someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot. For families in Chattanooga, having this authority in place reduces confusion and ensures that medical choices reflect your values and wishes. This page explains how a healthcare power of attorney works, who can serve as an agent, and what powers you may grant. We also describe steps you can take now to protect yourself and your loved ones, and how clear legal planning helps avoid disputes at critical moments.
Preparing a healthcare power of attorney involves more than filling out a form; it requires thoughtful discussion about your medical preferences and selection of a trusted decision maker. In Tennessee, state rules shape how the document is executed and what it can authorize, including choices about medical treatment and end-of-life care. This guide outlines practical considerations for naming an agent, specifying your wishes, and ensuring the document is valid and accessible. Taking these steps ahead of a medical emergency brings peace of mind and stronger protection for your family during stressful times.
Why a Healthcare Power of Attorney Matters for You and Your Family
A properly drafted healthcare power of attorney clarifies who will speak for you if you become incapacitated and cannot communicate medical preferences. It reduces ambiguity among family members and medical providers, streamlines decision-making, and helps ensure that treatment aligns with your values. In Tennessee, a clear directive can prevent delays in care and minimize the need for court involvement. Beyond immediate medical choices, the document supports continuity of care planning and gives loved ones authority to access medical records and speak with health care teams during critical moments.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach to Healthcare Directives
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves clients across Tennessee with practical estate planning and probate services tailored to family needs. Our approach emphasizes clear communication, carefully explaining legal options so clients make informed choices about healthcare powers of attorney and related planning documents. We work with each client to identify trusted decision makers, draft straightforward language that reflects their wishes, and ensure documents meet Tennessee requirements. The goal is to create plans that are durable, accessible to medical providers, and simple for families to use when time and clarity matter most.
A healthcare power of attorney authorizes a named agent to make medical decisions for you when you are unable to do so. This can include consent or refusal of treatments, decisions about hospital transfers, and access to medical records. Tennessee law specifies formalities for signing and witnessing that affect enforceability, so it is important to execute the document correctly. Discussing your values and preferences with your chosen agent ahead of time helps ensure decisions align with your wishes, and storing the document where medical providers can find it reduces delays in care.
Choosing an agent involves considering availability, willingness to make difficult decisions, and familiarity with your medical preferences. You can limit or expand the agent’s authority, add instructions about life-sustaining treatment, or pair the power of attorney with advance directives or living wills. Regularly reviewing and updating the document as circumstances change—such as after major health events or family changes—helps keep planning current. Properly prepared healthcare powers of attorney work with other estate planning tools to ensure medical and personal wishes are respected throughout unpredictable situations.
What a Healthcare Power of Attorney Actually Does
A healthcare power of attorney is a legal document that designates an agent to make health care decisions for you if you cannot. The agent’s scope may be broad or narrowly limited, depending on the language you choose. Typical authorities include consenting to or refusing treatments, selecting providers, and arranging for long-term care. In Tennessee, the document must meet execution requirements to be enforceable. Clear definitions and plain-language instructions in the form reduce confusion for providers and family members, and thoughtful drafting can address common scenarios before they arise.
Key Components and How the Process Works
Effective healthcare powers of attorney identify the agent, outline specific authorities, and include any instructions about life-sustaining treatment, organ donation, or religious considerations. The process begins with choosing an agent and discussing your values so they are prepared to act. Next, the document is drafted to meet Tennessee legal requirements and signed with appropriate witnesses or notarization. Once executed, copies should be given to your agent, primary care provider, and family members, and the original stored in a secure but accessible place to ensure it can be used when needed.
Important Terms and Definitions for Healthcare Directives
Understanding common terms helps you make better decisions when creating a healthcare power of attorney. This section defines words you will see in forms and conversations with providers and attorneys. Familiarity with these terms makes it easier to decide who should act on your behalf and what specific powers they should have. Clear definitions also reduce misinterpretation and ensure the document is applied as you intend. Review these terms and ask questions if any concept is unclear before finalizing your directive.
Agent (Healthcare Agent)
The agent is the person you appoint to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. Choosing an agent requires trust and clear communication about your wishes, values, and limits on decision-making authority. Your agent may need to speak with medical teams, review treatment options, and sign consent forms. You can name alternate agents in case the primary is unavailable, and you can provide written guidance describing situations where certain treatments should or should not be pursued.
Advance Directive or Living Will
An advance directive or living will sets out your preferences about medical treatment in specific circumstances, particularly regarding life-sustaining treatment. It complements a healthcare power of attorney by providing guidance if you desire limitations on certain interventions. While the directive states your choices directly, the agent implements those choices when you cannot speak for yourself. Combining both documents creates a clearer plan for providers and family members, reducing uncertainty and helping ensure your medical care follows your expressed wishes.
Capacity and Incapacity
Capacity refers to your ability to understand medical information and make informed decisions about care. Incapacity means you are unable to make or communicate rational choices because of illness, injury, or cognitive decline. A healthcare power of attorney becomes effective when a qualified medical professional determines you lack capacity, or when you are otherwise unable to communicate. Clarifying when the agent’s authority begins and how capacity will be assessed can prevent disputes and speed access to necessary treatment.
Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
A durable healthcare power of attorney remains effective even if you lose decision-making capacity at a later date. The durability ensures continuity in decision making, allowing your chosen agent to act without repeated court orders. Different documents can use various terminology, so specifying durability in the language of the form prevents unintended expiration of authority. Durable directives are often paired with other estate planning documents to create a comprehensive plan for financial and medical decision-making during periods of incapacity.
Comparing Limited Versus Comprehensive Healthcare Planning Options
When planning healthcare decision-making, you can choose a narrowly tailored document that covers specific situations or a broader, more comprehensive directive that addresses a wide range of possibilities. Limited forms may work for simpler needs, while comprehensive planning offers clarity across many medical scenarios and interactions with multiple providers. There are trade-offs: narrow documents can be quicker and less costly, but broader documents reduce ambiguity. Consider family dynamics, medical history, and the likelihood of complex decisions when choosing the right approach.
When a Limited Healthcare Directive May Be Appropriate:
Simple, Predictable Medical Situations
A limited healthcare directive may be appropriate when medical situations are straightforward and short term, such as a planned surgery or predictable recovery where temporary decision-making authority is needed. In those cases, a narrow power of attorney can grant the agent authority for a specific procedure or period, without giving broad, ongoing powers. This approach is often suitable for younger, healthier individuals who want a temporary measure while undergoing scheduled treatments and do not need a comprehensive plan for long-term incapacity.
Clear Family Consensus and Low Conflict
A limited directive can also work well when there is clear agreement among family members about who should act and how decisions should be made. If relatives are aligned on treatment priorities and the named agent is trusted by all parties, a focused document can reduce complexity while still enabling timely decisions. In low-conflict situations with predictable medical paths, a limited approach reduces legal formality and expense while providing the necessary authority to handle routine or anticipated healthcare decisions without broader planning.
Why a Comprehensive Healthcare Plan Often Provides Better Protection:
Complex Medical Needs and Long-Term Care Considerations
Comprehensive healthcare planning is advisable when medical conditions are complex or when long-term care and end-of-life issues are a realistic possibility. A complete plan addresses a range of scenarios, names alternates, and includes detailed instructions about life-sustaining treatment, palliative care, and facility transitions. This clarity helps medical teams and family members follow your wishes and minimizes ambiguity during stressful times. For individuals with chronic illness or advancing age, a comprehensive directive reduces the likelihood of disputes and ensures smoother coordination of care.
High Risk of Disagreement or Multiple Care Providers
If family relationships are complicated or you expect multiple providers and care settings to be involved, comprehensive planning helps prevent conflicts and confusion. Detailed documents and explicit language about decision-making authority, consultation requirements, and preferences for treatment make it easier for providers to act and for family members to accept decisions. When many people are involved in care, or when disagreements are possible, spending time to craft a comprehensive directive reduces delays and increases the likelihood that your medical preferences will be respected across different care environments.
Benefits of a Full Healthcare Planning Strategy
A comprehensive healthcare plan provides clear guidance to agents and medical teams, reducing ambiguity at critical moments. It can address a wide range of treatments and circumstances, name backups, and include preferences about pain management, organ donation, and end-of-life care. Such planning makes it easier for health care providers to honor your wishes and for families to accept decisions when emotions are high. Overall, a thorough plan lowers the risk of court involvement and helps maintain dignity and personal control over medical outcomes.
Comprehensive planning also supports continuity of care by ensuring your choices travel with you across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. When documents are clear and accessible, transitions between providers are smoother and administrative barriers are reduced. This reduces stress for loved ones who must implement decisions under pressure. Investing in thorough planning today creates practical benefits later, including faster access to needed treatments and fewer disputes among family members and caregivers.
Greater Clarity and Fewer Family Conflicts
A comprehensive directive spells out preferences in detail and names who is authorized to act, which minimizes debate among relatives and ensures consistent decisions. Clear language about how choices should be made, including preferences for life-sustaining care and comfort measures, guides both the agent and medical staff. This clarity reduces the emotional burden on family members who otherwise might disagree about what the patient would have wanted. When disputes are less likely, the focus stays on patient care and comfort rather than legal or interpersonal conflict.
Better Alignment with Medical Teams and Legal Requirements
Comprehensive planning helps ensure documents meet Tennessee legal standards and are accepted by hospitals and clinics, which can prevent delays. Clear, properly executed directives reduce administrative hurdles and enable medical teams to follow your directions promptly. Including details such as the agent’s authority to access records and make decisions about transfer or discharge improves coordination. The result is smoother implementation of your wishes and increased likelihood that the care you receive aligns with your values and goals.
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Practical Tips for Your Healthcare Power of Attorney
Choose Your Agent Carefully
Select an agent who understands your values, can handle difficult conversations, and is willing to make timely decisions under pressure. Discuss your medical preferences and potential scenarios in advance so your agent is familiar with what matters most to you. Consider an alternate agent in case the primary is unavailable, and ensure your chosen person has access to important medical and contact information. Clear communication before an emergency reduces confusion and helps ensure your wishes are honored.
Be Specific About Your Wishes
Keep Documents Accessible and Updated
Once you execute a healthcare power of attorney, provide copies to your agent, primary care physician, and any specialist who regularly treats you. Store the original in a secure but accessible place and provide clear instructions on how to retrieve it. Review and update the document after major life events, changes in health, or if your chosen agent becomes unavailable. Regular maintenance ensures the directive remains valid and useful when it is needed most.
Why Chattanooga Residents Should Consider a Healthcare Power of Attorney
Creating a healthcare power of attorney protects your ability to control medical decisions even if you cannot speak for yourself. It prevents uncertainty and reduces delays in treatment by providing a clear, legally enforceable designation of authority. Families benefit from reduced conflict and more efficient communication with medical teams when an appointed agent can act immediately. For anyone who values autonomy and wants to avoid potential disputes, this planning step offers meaningful protection and peace of mind.
Early planning also eases burdens on loved ones who might otherwise face difficult choices without guidance. The document allows you to name backups, indicate treatment preferences, and set boundaries that reflect personal values. Because Tennessee law has particular execution and witness requirements, preparing the document with careful attention to form avoids later questions about validity. For Chattanooga residents, a properly executed directive ensures local providers understand who can make decisions and what choices to follow.
Common Situations Where a Healthcare Power of Attorney Is Useful
Many circumstances call for a healthcare power of attorney, including major surgeries, sudden illness, progressive conditions like dementia, and long-term care planning. It is also essential when traveling or living apart from family, where immediate decisions may be needed without relatives present. For adults of any age, having a designated agent simplifies coordination with providers and reduces the need for emergency court intervention. Preparing this document in advance helps families respond calmly and effectively when medical decisions arise.
Planned Medical Procedures
For scheduled surgeries or procedures that may require sedation or post-operative decision-making, a healthcare power of attorney ensures that someone you trust can make choices if you are temporarily unable to consent. Naming an agent ahead of time prevents delays in care and clarifies who should be contacted by medical staff. This is particularly helpful when patients arrive at a facility without nearby family, or when quick decisions about post-operative care must be made on short notice.
Chronic or Progressive Illness
When managing chronic conditions or illnesses that can reduce capacity over time, having a durable healthcare power of attorney provides continuity in decision making and helps maintain treatment aligned with your long-term goals. The agent can coordinate with multiple providers, make decisions about hospitalizations or transitions to long-term care, and ensure that daily care and medical choices reflect your priorities. Regularly reviewing the document as health circumstances change keeps planning current and actionable.
Sudden Incapacity
Unexpected events such as accidents, strokes, or sudden medical emergencies can leave you unable to communicate preferences. A healthcare power of attorney allows an appointed person to act quickly with medical teams to make decisions about immediate treatments, transfers, and interventions. That preparedness can accelerate access to appropriate care and reduce family stress. Having legal authority already in place prevents uncertainty about who should speak for you in urgent situations.
Chattanooga Healthcare Power of Attorney Services
Jay Johnson Law Firm provides practical assistance to Chattanooga residents seeking to prepare healthcare powers of attorney and related advance directives. We help clients choose appropriate language, identify suitable agents, and ensure documents meet Tennessee execution requirements. Our process focuses on clear communication and creating durable, accessible documents that medical providers will accept. Whether updating an existing plan or starting fresh, we guide clients through decisions about treatment preferences and document distribution so families are ready if a medical crisis occurs.
Why Choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for Your Healthcare Planning
Jay Johnson Law Firm approaches healthcare planning with attention to practical details that matter to families in Tennessee. We explain legal options in plain language, tailor documents to reflect individual values, and ensure your paperwork is executed to meet state requirements. Our work aims to reduce potential obstacles that can arise when agents try to act on a client’s behalf, such as questions about validity or access to records. Clear, enforceable documents provide stronger protection and more predictable outcomes during medical crises.
We prioritize helping clients select agents who are prepared to make decisions and understand their responsibilities. That preparation includes discussing likely scenarios and documenting preferences so an agent can act confidently. We also recommend strategies for distributing copies to family members, medical providers, and care facilities to ensure the directive is available when needed. This practical approach reduces confusion and supports smoother interactions with healthcare teams.
Our goal is to create planning solutions that are durable and easy to use, while respecting client values and family dynamics. By focusing on clear drafting, proper execution, and practical distribution, we help Chattanooga families avoid common pitfalls and ensure medical decisions follow the client’s intentions. We work with clients to review and update documents over time so planning remains effective as circumstances change.
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How We Prepare Your Healthcare Power of Attorney
Our process begins with a conversation to understand your medical preferences, family dynamics, and any existing planning documents. We then draft a healthcare power of attorney tailored to your needs and Tennessee legal requirements, review the language with you, and advise on signing and witness steps to ensure enforceability. After execution, we provide guidance on distributing and storing copies so medical providers and family members can access the document when needed. Periodic reviews keep the document up to date as circumstances evolve.
Step One: Initial Consultation and Goal Setting
During the initial meeting we discuss your health care values, potential decision makers, and the scope of authority you wish to grant. This conversation helps identify preferences for specific treatments and any religious or personal considerations you want included. We will also review existing estate planning documents to ensure consistency. The goal is to gather the information needed to draft clear, practical language that will guide your agent and medical providers when decisions arise.
Discussing Personal Values and Treatment Preferences
We ask targeted questions about your preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment, pain management, and other medical interventions so the document reflects your priorities. Describing scenarios where certain treatments are or are not acceptable helps the agent apply your values to unforeseen circumstances. This detailed discussion reduces ambiguity and makes it easier for an agent to make decisions that honor your wishes, especially when time and clarity are essential.
Choosing an Agent and Alternates
We help you evaluate potential agents by considering availability, communication skills, and willingness to make difficult choices. Naming alternate agents provides redundancy if the primary agent is unable or unwilling to act. We recommend informing chosen agents about their roles and providing them with copies of the directive and essential medical information. Preparing agents in advance increases their ability to act effectively and reduces delays when decisions must be made quickly.
Step Two: Drafting and Execution
After gathering necessary information, we draft a healthcare power of attorney that meets Tennessee requirements and reflects your directives. We review the draft with you and make adjustments to ensure clarity and usability. Proper execution often requires signatures and witness or notarization steps; we explain the formalities and can attend signing to confirm compliance. Once executed, we recommend distributing copies to key people and providers so the directive is available when needed.
Review and Finalize Language
Careful review ensures the directive is precise about agent authority, triggers for activation, and any limitations you want to include. We focus on plain language that medical staff can quickly interpret and that reduces potential conflicts. Clarifying contingencies and providing specific instructions about treatments or transfers improves the directive’s practical effectiveness when an agent must act on your behalf.
Execution and Distribution of Copies
We guide you through signing and witnessing or notarization requirements to ensure the document is legally effective in Tennessee. After execution, we recommend giving copies to your agent, alternate agents, primary care physician, and any relevant specialists. Storing a copy in an accessible place and providing instructions for retrieval helps ensure medical teams can find the directive quickly in an emergency.
Step Three: Ongoing Review and Updates
Life events such as changes in health, family relationships, or residence may necessitate updates to your healthcare power of attorney. We recommend periodic reviews to confirm agents remain appropriate and instructions still reflect your wishes. Updating documents when circumstances change reduces the risk of disputes and ensures planning remains practical and enforceable. We help clients modify directives, revoke old documents, and distribute updated copies as needed.
When to Revisit Your Documents
Significant events like a new diagnosis, the death or incapacity of a named agent, marriage, divorce, or relocation to another state are signals that you should review your healthcare directive. Regular check-ins help confirm that instructions and agent designations still reflect current wishes. Addressing changes promptly prevents outdated documents from causing confusion when decisions are required.
How to Make Updates Effective
To update a healthcare power of attorney, you can execute a new document that explicitly revokes prior versions and distribute copies to relevant parties. Proper execution and clear communication about the replacement prevent conflicts between old and new directives. We assist in preparing updated forms, ensuring legal formalities are followed so the new document is recognized by medical providers and family members alike.
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare Powers of Attorney
What is the difference between a healthcare power of attorney and a living will?
A healthcare power of attorney appoints a person to make medical decisions for you if you cannot do so yourself, while a living will is a written statement describing your preferences for medical treatment in certain end-of-life situations. The power of attorney allows an agent to speak with providers, consent to or refuse treatment, and address practical issues that arise when you are incapacitated. The living will provides direct instructions about life-sustaining measures and may guide the agent and medical team when specific circumstances are present.Combining both documents provides clarity and backup: the living will communicates your direct wishes, while the power of attorney designates someone to implement those wishes and make decisions in scenarios not anticipated by the living will. Ensuring both documents are consistent and properly executed in Tennessee increases the likelihood that providers will follow your stated preferences and that family members will understand your goals for care.
How do I choose the right person to serve as my healthcare agent?
Selecting a healthcare agent requires choosing someone you trust to make difficult medical decisions and communicate with providers and family members. Consider whether the person is willing to serve, available to act during emergencies, and comfortable discussing medical matters. Think about the agent’s ability to remain calm under pressure, follow your wishes, and coordinate with multiple care providers. It is often helpful to name alternates in case the primary agent is unavailable, and to discuss your preferences with each person you consider.Open communication with a chosen agent is essential. Explain your values, specific treatment preferences, and any particular concerns you want them to weigh when making decisions. Providing written guidance and copies of related documents makes it easier for the agent to act consistently with your wishes. Keeping your agent informed and comfortable with their role reduces uncertainty and improves decision-making when it matters most.
When does a healthcare power of attorney take effect?
When a healthcare power of attorney becomes effective depends on the language in the document and local practice. Some documents become effective immediately upon signing, allowing the agent to act right away, while others become effective only when you are determined to lack decision-making capacity by a medical professional. Specifying your preference in the document helps clarify when the agent may intervene, and discussing this with your physician can prevent confusion during an emergency.Regardless of the trigger you choose, ensuring the document is properly executed and accessible to medical providers speeds implementation when it is needed. If the document requires a medical determination of incapacity, having records and a physician’s statement ready can help confirm that threshold and allow the agent to begin acting without unnecessary delay.
Can I limit the powers of my healthcare agent?
Yes, you can limit the powers of your healthcare agent by specifying which decisions they may or may not make. You might restrict authority for certain types of treatment, require consultation with family members, or limit decisions to a defined time period or circumstance. Clearly written limitations help guide an agent’s actions and reduce the chance they will exceed the intended scope. Using precise language and including examples of acceptable or unacceptable choices makes your intentions easier to follow.When imposing limits, balance clarity with practicality so the agent can still act effectively in urgent situations. Overly restrictive language may hinder timely decisions or create confusion for providers. Working through scenarios during the drafting process helps ensure limitations achieve the desired protections without preventing reasonable, necessary care when prompt action is required.
How do I make sure my healthcare power of attorney is honored by hospitals?
To improve the chances your healthcare power of attorney is honored, make sure it is properly executed under Tennessee law and that copies are provided to your primary care physician, hospitals, and any specialists who treat you. Inform your agent and family members about the document’s location and provide copies so medical staff can quickly verify authority. Some providers accept a photocopy or electronic version, but confirming their preferences and ensuring they have access to the document reduces delays.Including clear, plain-language directives and ensuring witnesses or notarization are completed can prevent challenges to the document’s validity. If you anticipate treatment in multiple facilities, consider registering the directive with local hospital systems or including it in an electronic health record where available. Regularly reviewing and updating distribution lists maintains effectiveness as providers or care settings change.
Do I need a lawyer to create a healthcare power of attorney in Tennessee?
You are not required to hire a lawyer to create a healthcare power of attorney in Tennessee, and standardized forms exist that many people use successfully. However, working with a legal professional helps ensure the document is drafted to meet state formalities and aligned with your overall estate plan. A lawyer can help you anticipate potential conflicts, suggest appropriate language for limits or instructions, and ensure the directive coordinates with other legal documents you may have.If your situation involves complex medical preferences, blended family dynamics, or concerns about validity, legal guidance can save time and reduce the likelihood of disputes later. Even when using a form, having a professional review the language and advise on execution and distribution can provide added confidence that your document will function as intended when needed.
What happens if my chosen agent is unavailable or unwilling to act?
If your chosen agent is unavailable or unwilling to act when needed, the alternates you named in the document should be called to serve. It is important to name one or more backup agents and to ensure they are aware of their designation and willing to take on the responsibility. If no agent is available, or if the appointed person cannot act, medical providers may look to family members or, in rare cases, seek court appointment of a decision maker, which can be time-consuming and stressful for loved ones.Regularly confirming that agents and alternates remain willing and able to serve prevents surprises. If circumstances change, update the document to replace unavailable individuals. Clear communication with backups and sharing copies of the directive in advance improves readiness and reduces the risk of gaps in decision-making authority during emergencies.
Can I change or revoke my healthcare power of attorney later?
You can change or revoke your healthcare power of attorney at any time while you retain decision-making capacity. To make an update effective, execute a new document that clearly revokes prior versions and distribute the new copies to your agent, alternates, medical providers, and family. It is important to follow Tennessee execution requirements for the new document to avoid confusion about which version governs. Keep records of revocations and replacements to show medical providers which document is current.If you become incapacitated, revocation may not be possible, so making updates while you have capacity is essential. Informing all relevant parties about changes and collecting old copies helps prevent conflicts and ensures that medical teams follow the most recent instructions you provided.
Should my healthcare power of attorney include instructions about life-sustaining treatment?
Including instructions about life-sustaining treatment in your healthcare power of attorney or in an accompanying living will can provide clear direction to your agent and medical providers about your preferences for interventions such as mechanical ventilation, feeding tubes, or resuscitation. Explicit guidance about these measures gives your agent the authority and confidence to follow your wishes and helps avoid uncertainties during high-stress decisions. If you have strong preferences, documenting them reduces the chance of family disagreement and ensures care aligns with your values.Even if you include such instructions, remain mindful that medical circumstances can be complex and may not fit neatly into hypothetical scenarios. Discussing your values and priorities with your agent and physician helps translate general preferences into practical choices when real decisions are required. Regularly revisiting these instructions as health or personal views change keeps planning current and meaningful.
How should I store and share my healthcare power of attorney once it is signed?
Store the original signed healthcare power of attorney in a secure but accessible location and provide copies to your appointed agent, alternates, primary care physician, and any regular specialists. Inform family members and close contacts where a copy is kept and how to retrieve it in an emergency. Some people choose to keep a copy in an electronic health record or a patient portal where providers can access it; others keep a readily available paper copy at home for first responders and hospital intake staff.Make sure each recipient has clear instructions on how to use the document and whom to contact for questions. Periodically confirm that copies remain with providers and that the document is present in medical files where possible. When you update or revoke a directive, promptly collect old copies and distribute the new version so everyone is using the current document.