Health Care Proxies

Empowering Someone to Act on Your Behalf

Many people worry about what will happen at the end of their life, or even at other times when they are temporarily incapacitated. Families worry about their children over the age of majority who may be away at school or living in other parts of the country away from their parents, or elderly parents whether local or at a distance. Although NY does have a Family Health Care Decisions Act statute, it always is preferable – and potentially can be critically time-saving and life-saving – to have in place a properly executed Health Care Proxy with a designated Health Care Agent and successor Health Care Agent who can step in immediately to make decisions.

And because everyone is different, it is important to make sure there is someone who knows your wishes and can make health decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so, concerning both what medical treatments should be administered or whether further treatment should be withheld in evident end-of-life situations.