If you become incapacitated and don't have an MPOA, your next of kin or closest family members will typically receive the authority to make healthcare-related decisions on your behalf. Local laws and regulations may affect what happens, but some traditional solutions without an MPOA include the following: Family Consensus: If family members agree on care decisions, they may make them collectively. Court Intervention: Family members may go to court if they disagree on care decisions. The court can appoint a guardian to make all healthcare decisions. Default Medical Protocols: In emergencies, healthcare professionals may follow established protocols to provide ethical medical treatment based on the patient's state.