Gary Coleman’s ex-wife had authority to make medical decisions

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After documents revealed earlier this week that Gary Coleman was divorced, the authority of his ex-wife to take the actor off life support was called into question.

Now a rep for Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, the hospital where Coleman died last week, says that ex-wife Shannon Price -- the two were wed in 2007 and divorced in August 2008 -- had indeed been granted authority to make medical decisions for Coleman.

The hospital told ETonline.com: ‘Mr. Coleman had completed an Advanced Health Care Directive that granted Shannon Price permission to make medical decisions on his behalf if he was unable to do so. An Advanced Health Care Directive remains in effect regardless of a patient’s marital status, unless modified by the patient. It is a private medical document which the hospital does not have permission to release. However, we received permission to confirm that the document was in effect at the time of Mr. Coleman’s death.’

The former child star died of brain hemorrhage complications Friday.

Funeral arrangements are underway; an agent for the couple, Shielia Erickson, told People magazine that Price plans to follow Coleman’s wishes.

‘We’re looking at Gary’s wishes in the will and also what the family wants,’ Erickson said, calling it Price’s ‘only goal.’

-- Yvonne Villarreal

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