Living Wills And Medical Directives In New Jersey

Making medical decisions before a crisis can help protect your wishes and reduce confusion for the people closest to you. Because these documents can affect serious healthcare choices, working with an attorney can help ensure your wishes are clearly written and legally sound.

Since 1884, Mariano & Coiro, P.C., has helped Somerset and Central New Jersey families prepare estate planning documents that reflect their values, family structure and long-term concerns. Whether you are planning for yourself, helping a parent or updating older documents, we can help you understand what belongs in your living will and how it should work with the rest of your estate plan.

Living Will Vs. Medical Power Of Attorney Vs. Advance Directive

A living will gives written instructions about the medical treatment you want or do not want in certain serious health situations. This may include end-of-life care, life-sustaining treatment or comfort-focused care.

On the other hand, a medical power of attorney, sometimes called a healthcare power of attorney, names a trusted person to make medical decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself.

It is also important to note that an advance directive is an umbrella term for documents that explain your medical treatment preferences, appoint a trusted healthcare decision-maker or do both.

What A New Jersey Living Will Can Cover

A New Jersey living will can address several medical and personal preferences, including:

• Life-sustaining treatment, such as CPR or ventilation
• Artificial nutrition or hydration
• Pain management and comfort care
• Organ donation wishes

We can help you determine what is right for your situation.

How To Make It Effective In Real Life

A medical directive should be easy to find when it is needed. Keep the original in a safe but accessible place. Give copies to your healthcare agent, close family members, primary care physician and any specialists involved in your care.

Review the document after major changes, such as marriage, divorce, a new diagnosis, relocation or the death of your chosen agent.

Living Will And Medical Directive Planning For Different Life Stages

Living wills and medical directives should reflect your current responsibilities, family structure and health needs. For example:

• Young adults
• Parents of minor children
• Older adults and retirees
• Adult children helping parents
• Blended families

We can help tailor these documents to your stage of life so they are not just legally valid, but also practical when your family needs them.

Take The Next Step

Mariano & Coiro, P.C., can help you prepare or update these documents as part of a complete New Jersey estate plan. Dial 732-860-7620 or send us an email through our contact page to discuss your options.