New York Advance Directives

Buffalo Estate Planning Law Firm Serving Western New York

Advance directives allow you to give directions about your medical care and decisions in advance, so your wishes are carried out if you are incapacitated. They are often drafted as a part of a comprehensive estate plan, but they can also be created separately. Our Elma, New York attorneys help individuals and families throughout the Buffalo area and Western New York to prepare advance directives.

Health Care Proxy

New York law allows you to appoint someone you trust — for example a family member or close friend — to make health care decisions for you if you lose the ability to make decisions yourself. By appointing a health care agent, you can make sure that health care providers follow your wishes. Your agent can also decide how your wishes apply as your medical condition changes. Hospitals, doctors and health care providers must follow your agent’s decisions as if they were your own. Some decisions your agent can make may include your wishes concerning artificial nutrition and hydration. A Health Care Proxy does not involve financial powers.

Living Will

A Living Will is really not a Will, but rather a legal document that states your preferences for medical treatment if you are unable to communicate them yourself. Artificial respiration and artificial nutrition are examples of preferences you can include in your Living Will. A Living Will is commonly a piece of an overall estate plan that also may include a Health Care Proxy to make health care decisions on your behalf.

Living Will FAQ

Smolarek Law Offices helps individuals and families across Elma, Orchard Park, Cheektowaga, West Seneca, and Lancaster, NY make informed decisions about their future healthcare planning. Below are answers to common questions about healthcare proxies and living wills to guide you through this important process.

• What Is A Health Care Proxy? A Health Care Proxy is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so.
• What Does A Health Care Proxy Do? A Health Care Proxy makes sure that your chosen agent can communicate with medical providers and make decisions regarding treatment, care, and life-sustaining measures.
• Who Can Be A Health Care Proxy? Any competent adult you trust, such as a family member or close friend, can serve as your Health Care Proxy. They must be willing to act in your best interests and follow your instructions.
• What Is A Living Will? A Living Will is a written statement that outlines your preferences for medical treatment in situations where you are unable to communicate. This is your opportunity to address end-of-life care and life-support decisions.
• How Does A Will Attorney Help With Healthcare Proxies? Our Will Attorney helps verify that your healthcare proxy and related documents are properly drafted and legally valid. We’ll make sure that your plan adheres to your personal wishes and complies with all pertinent New York State laws.
• What Do I Need To Know Before Making A Living Will Or Choosing A Healthcare Proxy? You should carefully consider your values, discuss your wishes with your chosen agent, and work with an experienced Will Attorney to make sure that your documents meet all requirements.

We are here to help you plan with clarity and confidence.

Contact Our Buffalo Attorneys to Discuss Your Health Care Proxy or Living Will

Call Smolarek Law Offices today at (716) 771-1601 to schedule a consultation with our estate planning attorneys about advance directives. We serve the Lancaster, Orchard Park, Cheektowaga, and West Seneca, NY areas. We look forward to speaking with you.