New York Estate Planning FAQs

• Q: What Is A Health Care Proxy?
  A: A New York Law called the Health Care Proxy Law allows you to appoint someone you trust and who knows you well, such as a family member or close friend, who will agree … More
• Q: What Is The Purpose Of A Health Care Proxy?
  A: The Health Care Proxy Law gives you the power to ensure that health care professionals know your wishes regarding medical treatment. Your health care agent can also … More
• Q: If I Appoint A Health Care Agent, How Much Authority Does He Or She Have To Make Treatment Decisions On My Behalf?
  A: You can give your agent as little or as much authority as you want. You can allow your agent to decide about all health care or only certain treatments. For example, … More
• Q: How Does Appointing A Health Care Agent Empower Me?
  A: Appointing an agent lets you control your medical treatment by: allowing your agent to stop treatment when he or she decides that is what you would want or what is … More
• Q: What Are The Advantages Of Creating A Health Care Proxy?
  A: The purpose of the Health Care Proxy law is to give a person of your choice the authority to speak for you when you are incapacitated to ensure that decisions … More
• Q: What Are The Disadvantages Of Creating A Health Care Proxy?
  A: It is very important that the person you choose to be your health care agent be an adult that you trust to protect your wishes and interests. If there is no such adult … More
• Q: How Can I Appoint A Health Care Agent?
  A: All competent adults can appoint a health care agent by signing a form called a Health Care Proxy. You don't need a lawyer, just two adult witnesses. However, because … More
• Q: When Would My Health Care Agent Begin To Make Treatment Decisions For Me?
  A: Your health care agent would begin to make treatment decisions after doctors decide that you are not able to make health care decisions. If you regain capacity to make … More
• Q: Will My Agents Decisions Be Honored?
  A: All hospitals, doctors, and other health care facilities are legally required to honor the decisions by your agent, unless they obtain a court order overriding the …
• Q: What If My Health Care Agent Is Not Available When Decisions Must Be Made?
  A: You can appoint an alternate agent to decide for you if your health care agent is not available or able to act when decisions must be made. Otherwise, health care … More
• Q: What Are The Requirements For Signing And Witnessing A Health Care Proxy?
  A: You must sign and date a Health Care Proxy in order for it to be enforceable. You must include the name of your agent and state that you intend the agent to make … More

Click here to view general Estate Planning FAQs