Linda L. Kordes, Attorney at Law
NEWS
- Oct 1, 2010 - The article focuses on the need for a well-drafted and executed power of attorney to delegate authority on behalf of an elderly or disabled person, and where none exists, the need to then commence a guardianship proceeding to obtain that same authority. Guardianships are expensive, time consuming, and, in many cases, difficult to win. Two case studies present unique issues of law within the scope of the Mental Hygiene laws, the statutes that govern most aspects of the guardianship proceeding.
- July 25, 2008 - The New York State budget reflects a substantial increase in the Medicaid resource limits: from $4,350.00 to $13,050.00 for a single applicant.
- Sept 19, 2007 - We are pleased to announce that we now accept American Express for all payments and services. This will provide our clients with a larger variety of payment options.
- Aug 6, 2007 - Anyone who does not wish to be kept alive in the event of a persistent vegetative state resulting from illness or injury should prepare specific written directives.
Guardianship Concerns in New York State
Medicaid Resource Limit Increase
American Express Now Accepted for Payments
Health-Care Proxies
Health-Care Proxies
Author: Linda L. Kordes, Esq.
Many people followed the long, sad story of Terry Schiavo, the young Florida woman who, in a vegetative state, had left no written directives (a health care proxy or a living will) that stated her health-care wishes. Consequently, her parents and husband fought, for years over the removal of the feeding and hydration tubes that were keeping her alive.
Anyone who does not wish to be kept alive in the event of a persistent vegetative state resulting from illness or injury should prepare specific written directives. Speak to your attorney for advice. These health-care directives are inexpensive but invaluable; they put the world on notice as to what you do or do not want with respect to life-saving measures if you cannot speak for yourself. Without such a directive, as in the Schiavo case, doctors must keep you alive unless someone can prove your intent to the court with clear and convincing evidence. Such evidence can be difficult and expensive to provide, and the lack of clear evidence can also create acrimony, as it did in the Schiavo family.
Ordinarily, interest in this type of issue peaks when it appears in the news, but interest, decreases once the story is no longer a prominent news item. Many think that because the doctors disconnected Terry Schiavo's feeding and hydration tubes, the same would be done for us in a similar situation. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, a local judge recently ordered that tubes be reinserted in a Queens woman, despite the fact that she had a health-care proxy, because her proxy did not specifically address the Issue of feeding and hydration tubes. The only solution is to prepare and execute advance directives and he sure that you clearly state exactly what you intend.
Linda L. Kordes, Esq. is an attorney with law offices in Manhattan and City Island.