A health care proxy is a person designated to make a broad range of decisions for a person unable to give informed consent. A health care proxy is designated by a legal document. The authority becomes effective only when the patient becomes incapacitated. A qualified medical practitioner must certify that the person is incapable of making decision. A person above the age of eighteen can be a health care proxy. The proxy must be of sound mind and judgment. A proxy is not legally or financially liable for decisions made on behalf of the primary individual when the act is done for the benefit of the primary individual.