Advance Directive and Healthcare Proxy enable your loved ones to make medical decisions for you when you are unable to. These powerful documents are essential to a proper, thorough, and effective Estate Plan.

Learn more about the benefits of Advance Directives and the different options we offer.

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Incapacity means you cannot make decisions for yourself. Make it Easier for your loved ones to help you when you need it.

When your medical providers know what treatments you want, they can work faster and more efficiently to treat you.

An Advance Directive is a document which lays out the treatments you do and do not want to receive if you are unable to communicate due to incapacity. Typical items included are do not resuscitate orders, feeding tube use, life sustaining measures, palliative care, and organ or tissue donation.

Designating a Healthcare Proxy allows someone else to step in and make medical decisions for you if you are incapacitated. Not only can your proxy make medical decisions, but they can also advocate for treatments on your behalf. Your proxy should be someone you know and trust, is capable, can make difficult decisions, and is dependable.

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Guiding you to a proper Estate Plan

An Advance Directive and Healthcare Proxy, along with a Power of Attorney and a Will are the cornerstones of a proper and complete Estate Plan. Without these cornerstones, an Estate Plan is not comprehensive or complete.

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Meet Our Team

Our attorneys are here to help you complete your Estate Plan and to complete your Medicaid Planning needs. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.

Walter Lau

Attorney

New York & New Jersey

Red Bank, New Jersey

Dante Nicolello

Attorney

New York & New Jersey

Brooklyn, New York

FAQs

Do I need an Advance Directive and a Healthcare Proxy?

One of the documents is better than none. However, both are essential to a complete Estate Plan.

Who should my Healthcare Proxy be?

Your Healthcare Proxy should be someone you know and trust, is capable, can make difficult decisions, and be dependable. Your Proxy should be familiar with your wishes or be able to deduce what your wishes would be. They should be intelligent enough to understand the ramifications of the decisions they are making on your behalf and strong willed enough to make potentially life-altering decisions. Finally, you should be able to count on your Proxy to be there when needed and they should be available or near where you reside.

When do Advance Directives and Healthcare Proxies become effective?

Technically the documents are in effect immediately upon proper execution, but they are only used when you become incapacitated and cannot communicate.

Can I change my Advance Directive and Healthcare Proxy?

Yes, you can change both at any time, but it is important to know the effects of changing these documents.

Learn More About Our Estate & Medicaid Planning Services.

Advance Directive & Healthcare Proxy
Power of Attorney
Wills
Trusts
Advance Medicaid Planning
Crisis Medicaid Planning

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