Living Wills

Hynes & Chu, LLP

Understanding Living Wills and How Hynes & Chu Can Help You

Planning for the future is one of the most considerate and loving acts you can do for yourself and your family. A living will is a critical part of that process, ensuring your medical wishes are respected if you're unable to make decisions for yourself. But navigating legal documents and understanding the best options for your specific situation can be daunting. That’s where Hynes & Chu come in—providing expert guidance and peace of mind.
This guide will walk you through the basics of living wills, why they are essential, and how Hynes & Chu, with over 35 years of legal experience, can help families like yours in Mineola, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, NYC.

What Is a Living Will?
A living will is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment in situations where you're unable to communicate your decisions. This might include serious illnesses, end-of-life scenarios, or accidents requiring critical care.

Typically, a living will specifies instructions about:
  • Life-sustaining measures (e.g., artificial respiration or feeding tubes)
  • Organ donation preferences
  • Use of pain management or palliative care options
  • Resuscitation efforts, like CPR

While it might be unsettling to think about these scenarios, having clear instructions in place ensures your values and wishes are honored. It also lifts the burden off your loved ones, who might otherwise have to guess at what you'd want during stressful and emotional situations.

Why You Need a Living Will
Creating a living will is not just about preparing for the unthinkable—it's about ensuring you have control over your health and medical decisions even when you can’t speak for yourself. Here’s why a living will is an essential document for everyone to consider.

1. Peace of Mind for You and Your Family
A living will eliminates uncertainty and confusion. Without one, family members could be left making difficult decisions under pressure, sometimes leading to disputes. A living will ensures your loved ones can focus on caring for you instead of worrying about making the “right” decision.

2. Clearly Communicates Your Wishes
Your medical preferences are personal, and decisions like whether to pursue aggressive treatments or opt for comfort care deserve to be respected. A living will leaves no room for ambiguity—it spells out your choices in black and white.

3. Avoids Legal and Ethical Conflicts
Without a living will, medical professionals may be bound by default protocols that might not align with your wishes. By proactively setting your preferences, you can ensure medical ethics and the law work in harmony with your desires.

4. Complements Other Estate Planning Documents
A living will is just one aspect of a comprehensive estate plan. When paired with a durable power of attorney for healthcare (which designates a trusted individual to make medical decisions on your behalf), you create a powerful framework to protect your interests.


Crafting Your Living Will with Hynes & Chu
Creating a living will can feel overwhelming, but legal professionals like Thomas Hynes and Douglas Chu make the process seamless. Having served families in Mineola, Brooklyn, and Manhattan for over 35 years, their experience ensures that your document is both legally sound and tailored to your unique needs.

Why Choose Hynes & Chu?
1. Decades of Expertise
Hynes & Chu specialize in handling the nuances of estate planning, healthcare directives, and elder law. Their combined decades of experience mean they’ve seen it all and can offer solutions that work for you.

2. Compassionate Approach
Discussing end-of-life planning is deeply personal, and Hynes & Chu approach these conversations with sensitivity and care. Their goal is to empower you with the knowledge to make informed, thoughtful decisions.

3. Local Knowledge
With offices in Mineola, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, Hynes & Chu understand the specific legal landscape of NYC and the unique challenges families in these areas might face.

4. Comprehensive Solutions
From drafting living wills to creating durable powers of attorney and managing estate plans, Hynes & Chu offer a full suite of legal services to ensure all your bases are covered.

How the Process Works
Creating a living will doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a general outline of how Hynes & Chu will guide you through the process.

Step 1: Initial Consultation
During your first meeting, Hynes & Chu take the time to understand your concerns, preferences, and any specific medical scenarios you want addressed in your living will.

Step 2: Review Legal Requirements
Legal requirements for living wills vary by state. The team ensures your document complies with New York State laws, making it valid and enforceable.

Step 3: Drafting Your Living Will
The attorneys draft a clear and comprehensive living will that accurately reflects your wishes.

Step 4: Signing and Witnessing
To become a legally binding document, your living will must be signed in the presence of witnesses. Hynes & Chu assist with this process to properly handle every detail.

Step 5: Storing and Sharing Your Document
Once finalized, it’s important that your loved ones, doctors, and any appointed healthcare proxies know where to find your living will. Hynes & Chu can advise on the best ways to store and share your document.

What Clients Say About Hynes & Chu, LLP
"After my father was diagnosed with early dementia, we were overwhelmed with questions around care and finances. The team at Hynes & Chu provided guidance that was not just professional, but profoundly compassionate as well."
– Sarah M., Brooklyn

"Hands down the best experience with a law firm I’ve had. They made our estate planning process straightforward and helped us keep a substantial portion of our assets."
– Robert P., Mineola

Take Control of Your Future
Your health, values, and wishes are too important to leave to chance. By creating a living will with the guidance of Hynes & Chu, you can rest easy knowing your future is in good hands. Whether you’re in Mineola, Brooklyn, or Manhattan, their team is just a call away.
Get started today and take the first step toward peace of mind and clarity for yourself and your loved ones. Contact Hynes & Chu to schedule a consultation and ensure your voice is always heard.

Contact Hynes & Chu, LLP today to schedule an initial consultation—because the sooner you start planning, the greater the peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

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