Long Island Estate Planning Attorney Seth Schlessel Explains the Health Care Proxy in New York and Its Importance

Long Island estate planning attorney Seth Schlessel releases a new article (https://www.schlessellaw.com/what-is-a-long-island-health-care-proxy-and-why-do-you-need-one/) explaining the healthcare proxy in New York and its importance. The lawyer mentions that the New York healthcare proxy law allows the person to appoint someone else to make healthcare decisions on their behalf. It is important to have a healthcare proxy in situations where the person will not be able to make any for themselves.

“Creating a health care proxy is about more than choosing the decision maker. It also allows you to make your wishes known to that person. The law allows your proxy to interpret those wishes as they apply to any unique situations that might arise, hospitals and other medical providers must honor those wishes as if you’d spoken them yourself,” says the Long Island estate planning attorney.

The lawyer explains that anyone age 18 or older may be able to choose an agent. The health care proxy law is not just for the elderly, but also for anyone who recognizes that there is any number of ways an adult can become incapacitated or unable to communicate their wishes.

Attorney Seth Schlessel says that the healthcare agent is allowed to hire or fire doctors and other healthcare professionals involved in the person’s care. Without a valid health care proxy, federal regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), can make it impossible for any person to access medical records.

In the article, attorney Schlessel adds, “It is important to keep in mind that signing a Health Care Proxy will override any previous Health Care Proxys you might have previously signed. It is crucial to know that when you create a complete Health Care Proxy, you must be very careful when signing even a basic Health Care Proxy at the hospital. Signing one will cancel the comprehensive Health Care Proxy you have previously carefully planned.”

Lastly, attorney Schlessel emphasizes that having an estate planning lawyer is important in order for the client to save money while also planning their future in an efficient manner.

About Schlessel Law PLLC

Seth Schlessel is the founder of Schlessel Law PLLC. As a skilled estate planning attorney, Mr. Schlessel understands the importance of a comprehensive estate plan to a family’s future. He and his team have helped many families preserve their assets and ensure that a person’s wishes are carried out the way they want. Aside from estate planning, the firm also helps with elder law, personal injury law, and startup/corporate law in Nassau County or Suffolk County. Contact them today to learn more.