Massachusetts Surrogate Decision Maker Lookup
Who can make medical and money decisions for an adult in Massachusetts who cannot decide: an agent, a guardian, or Massachusetts's default surrogate order. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.
Massachusetts law checked against official sources on October 26, 2026.
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Who has authority in Massachusetts
- We found no general default surrogate statute in this state. Hospitals often still involve close family, but for decisions that need legal authority someone may need a guardianship.
- If nobody is available or the family disagrees, a court can appoint a guardian. That is slower and costs more than documents signed in advance.
Without a health care proxy, the law only says providers may rely on the informed consent of "responsible parties" to the extent other law permits. It does not say who they are or rank them.
Narrower laws in this state
- H.4329 (2025-2026): Pending bill that would create a surrogate framework. NOT law: last action December 4, 2025, committee recommended it ought to pass and referred it to House Ways and Means.
Less certain: Our search found no Massachusetts statute ranking family decision makers, but a full-text search of the General Laws was not run.
Who decides in Massachusetts without a power of attorney?
We found no general default surrogate statute in Massachusetts. Without a health care proxy, the law only says providers may rely on the informed consent of "responsible parties" to the extent other law permits. It does not say who they are or rank them.
Massachusetts's default surrogate law in full
Without a health care proxy, the law only says providers may rely on the informed consent of "responsible parties" to the extent other law permits. It does not say who they are or rank them.
Narrower laws in this state
- H.4329 (2025-2026): Pending bill that would create a surrogate framework. NOT law: last action December 4, 2025, committee recommended it ought to pass and referred it to House Ways and Means.
Less certain: Our search found no Massachusetts statute ranking family decision makers, but a full-text search of the General Laws was not run.
How authority works when someone cannot decide
An adult who can understand a decision makes it, even when family disagrees. Authority passes to someone else only when the person cannot decide, and the source of that authority matters.
The strongest source is a document the person signed while able: a health-care power of attorney or advance directive naming an agent for medical decisions, and a durable power of attorney for money and property. A court appointment (a guardian, or in some states a conservator for money) comes next, and it is slower and more expensive.
For health-care decisions only, most states also have a default surrogate law, sometimes called a family consent law. It lists who may decide when there is no agent and no guardian, usually starting with a spouse, then adult children, then parents and siblings. Doctors and hospitals apply it at the bedside.
There is no "next of kin" list for money
Default surrogate laws cover health care, not bank accounts, bills or property. Being a spouse, child or next of kin does not by itself let you sign checks or sell a house for another adult. Without a durable power of attorney, managing someone else's money usually needs a court appointment.
Federal benefits follow their own rules. Social Security says a power of attorney, an authorized representative or a joint account is not the same as being a payee; SSA appoints a representative payee. VA appoints a fiduciary for a beneficiary who cannot manage VA benefits.
What this tool does not do
- It reports what each state's statute says. It does not decide whether a person has capacity; the treating doctor does.
- It does not decide disputes between family members or replace a court order. A guardianship order or a power of attorney can change who decides.
- Hospitals, nursing homes and other states' laws can add steps. Ask the facility's patient-relations or legal office which law it applies.
- It is general legal information, not legal advice for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes medical decisions in Massachusetts if there is no power of attorney?
We found no general default surrogate statute in Massachusetts. Without a health care proxy, the law only says providers may rely on the informed consent of "responsible parties" to the extent other law permits. It does not say who they are or rank them. Ask the hospital which law it applies; for decisions that need legal authority, a guardianship may be needed.
Does next of kin in Massachusetts have authority over money?
No default surrogate law covers money. In Massachusetts, as everywhere, managing another adult's accounts or property takes a durable power of attorney or a court appointment.
Sources
Massachusetts law checked against official sources on October 26, 2026.
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