http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/index.html LawInfo - Legal Resource Center offers free legal forms and free legal documents that is designed to help consumers and businesses resolve their legal issues http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/what-are-my-rights-for-health-care.html You have the right to: receive an understandable explanation from your doctor of your complete medical condition, expected results, benefits and risks of the treatment that are recommended and reasonable medical alternatives; accept or refuse any procedure or treatment used to diagnose or treat your physical or mental condition, including life­sustaining treatment; control decisions about your health care in the event that you become unable to make your own decisions in the future by completing an advance directive. Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/does-new-jersey-recognize-advance-directives.html Yes. In 1990, the Supreme Court of the United States confirmed that a person's rights to make choices about medical care are protected by the Bill of Rights. Under New Jersey law, written advance directives for people 18 or over are legal and binding. Hospitals and physicians must honor your advance directive or, in case of disagreement, transfer you to another hospital or physician willing to carry out your wishes. New Jersey Estate Planning FAQs Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:51:22 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/how-should-an-advance-directive-be-written-an.html Standard forms for writing an advance directive are available. This form can be signed as it is or changed to meet your wishes. You may also write your own. You should sign and date it in front of two adult witnesses, or you may have it notarized. Your witnesses should also sign and date the advance directive. It is not necessary to hire an attorney. However, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a qualified estate­planning attorney before completing the forms. New Jersey Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/what-are-life-sustaining-treatments.html Life sustaining refers to any artificial method of continuing life. These methods include artificial breathing; feeding tubes; surgical procedures; dialysis; cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which includes restarting the heart with manual compressions or electrical shock; and medications (other than those for comfort). It is possible for you to specify which life­sustaining treatments you will and will not accept, and under which circumstances. New Jersey Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/what-happens-if-i-regain-the-ability-to-make.html If your condition changes and you are able to make your own decisions regarding your health care and treatment, you have that power immediately. The person holding your power of attorney will not be able to make your decisions for you. New Jersey Estate Planning FAQs Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:51:22 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/what-happens-if-im-unable-to-decide-about-my.html If you become unable to make treatment decisions, due to illness or an accident, those caring for you will need to know about your values and wishes in making decisions on your behalf. That's why it's important to write an advance directive. New Jersey Estate Planning FAQs Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:51:22 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/what-if-i-change-my-mind.html You can change or revoke any advance directive documents at any time by informing your physician, nurses, family members or others of your decision. New Jersey Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/what-if-i-dont-have-an-advance-directive.html If you become unable to make treatment decisions and you do not have an advance directive, your close family member(s) will talk to your doctor, and in most cases, may then make decisions on your behalf. However, if your family members, doctor or other caregivers disagree about your medical care, it may be necessary for a court to appoint someone as your legal guardian. (This also may be necessary if you do not have a family member to make decisions on your behalf.) That's why it is important to put your wishes in writing to make it clear who should decide for you and to help your family and doctor know your wishes. New Jersey Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/what-types-of-advance-directives-are-recogniz.html There are three kinds of advance directives: Proxy Directive ­ ("durable power of attorney for health care") lets you name a "health care representative," such as a family member or friend, to make health care decisions on your behalf. Instructive Directive ­ ("living will") lets you state what kinds of medical treatments you would accept or reject in certain situations. Combined Directive, which lets you do both. New Jersey Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/what-will-happen-to-my-care-if-i-reject-life.html If you choose to reject "life­sustaining treatments," your health care provider will be required to respect your wishes and follow your specific instructions or those of your proxy. You will continue to receive all other medical and nursing care, including medication for the relief of pain and discomfort. New Jersey Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/where-should-i-keep-my-advance-directive.html This question should be discussed with your immediate family and/or close friends, and with your physician. The original should remain in a place that your family knows about, and a copy should be given to the person who may need to present it on your behalf and your physician. A copy should remain in your medical file. If appropriate, you might also consider giving a copy to your clergy or legal advisor. It is suggested that you carry a card in your wallet stating that you have an advance directive. You should also bring a copy of your advance directive with you (or have someone else bring it) when you go to the hospital. New Jersey Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/who-can-fill-out-these-forms.html You can fill out an advance directive in New Jersey if you are 18 years or older and you are able to make your own decisions. You do not need a lawyer to fill it out. However, because of the legal implications involved with Advance Directives, it is suggested that you consult with a qualified estate­planning attorney before filling out these forms. New Jersey Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/who-should-i-talk-to-about-advance-directives.html You should talk to your doctor, family members, close friends, or others you trust to help you. Your doctor or a medical staff member can give you more information about how to fill out an advance directive. New Jersey Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/will-i-still-be-treated-if-i-dont-fill-out-an.html Yes. You will still receive medical treatment, even if you do not wish to fill out any forms. Your insurance company also cannot deny coverage based on whether or not you have an advance directive. New Jersey Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/will-my-advance-directive-be-followed.html Yes. Everyone responsible for your care must respect the wishes that you have stated in your advance directive. However, if your doctor, nurse or other professional has a sincere objection to respecting your wishes to refuse life­sustaining treatment, he or she may have your care transferred to another professional who will carry them out. New Jersey Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Durable-Power-Of-Attorney/New-Jersey/index.html Free Durable Power Of Attorney FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:38:38 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Planning-Sub/New-Jersey/index.html Free Estate Planning FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:38:38 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Estate-Taxes/New-Jersey/index.html Free Estate Taxes FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:38:38 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Guardianship/New-Jersey/index.html Free Guardianship FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:38:38 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Power-of-Attorney-Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/index.html Free Power of Attorney FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:38:38 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Probate-Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/index.html Free Probate FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:38:38 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Trusts-Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/index.html Free Trusts FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:38:38 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Wills-Estate-Planning/New-Jersey/index.html Free Wills FAQs Estate Planning Sub-categories Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:38:38 GMT