However, the exact scope of authority and the priority of permissible surrogates vary by jurisdiction. In places where default surrogate decision makers are authorized, the typical order of priority is the patient's Spouse (or domestic partner in jurisdictions that recognize this status) Adult child Parent Sibling Other relatives or a close friend (possibly) If more than one person has the same priority (eg, several adult children), consensus is preferred, but some states allow health care practitioners to rely on a majority decision.