5 Benefits of a Health Care Proxy

As we age, our health becomes increasingly unpredictable. We never know when we might be struck with an illness or incapacitated due to an accident or injury.

In these situations, it helps to have a clear plan already “written in stone”.

In this article, we will explore the benefits of having a health care proxy in New York and how it can give you peace of mind and protection.

What is a Health Care Proxy?

A health care proxy, also known as a medical power of attorney or durable power of attorney for health care, is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. This person is called a health care agent or proxy, and they are authorized to make medical decisions that align with your wishes.

The Health Care Proxy form can be obtained from your health care provider or downloaded from the New York State Department of Health website.

The Benefits of Having a Health Care Proxy

There are many benefits to having a designated proxy for your healthcare, including:

1. Ensuring Your Wishes are Respected

When you appoint a health care agent, you can be confident that your wishes will be respected. Your agent will be authorized to make medical decisions that align with your wishes, even if you are unable to communicate them. This can give you peace of mind, knowing that vital medical decisions are in the hands of someone you trust.

2. Avoiding Family Conflicts

In the absence of a health care proxy, family members may disagree about what medical treatments to pursue. This can lead to conflict and tension at a time when everyone should be focused on your care. By appointing a health care agent, you can avoid these conflicts and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

3. Simplifying Decision-Making

Medical decision-making can be complex, especially if there are multiple treatment options available. When you appoint a health care agent, you simplify the decision-making process. Your agent will have access to your medical records and be able to consult with your doctors to make informed decisions on your behalf (including the decision to remove or provide life-sustaining treatment).

4. Avoiding Court Proceedings

In the absence of a health care proxy, family members may have to go to court to obtain guardianship or conservatorship over you. This can be time-consuming and expensive. By appointing a health care agent, you can avoid these court proceedings or greatly speed up the process.

5. Peace of Mind

Perhaps the most significant benefit is the peace of mind it provides. Knowing that someone you trust is authorized to make medical decisions on your behalf can be a great comfort, especially in times of uncertainty.

How to Create a Health Care Proxy

Creating your health care proxy is a straightforward process. Here are the steps you need to follow:

  1. Choose your health care agent: Choose someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf.
  2. Discuss your wishes with your agent: Have a conversation with your agent about your medical wishes, so they know how to make these decisions for you.
  3. Complete the necessary forms: Fill out the necessary forms to create your health care proxy. These forms are typically available through your state’s department of health.
  4. Sign the forms: Sign the forms in the presence of a notary public or witness, as required by your state.
  5. Distribute copies: Give copies of the proxy to your health care provider, your health care agent, and family members, so everyone is aware of your wishes.

Why You Should Notarize Your Health Care Proxy

Notarizing your health care proxy can provide an additional layer of protection and peace of mind.

Here are some reasons why you should consider notarizing your health care planning paperwork:

  • Added legal validity: A notary public verifies your identity and witnesses your signature. This provides additional legal validity to your document, making it more difficult to challenge in court.
  • Clarity of intent: Notarizing your health care proxy ensures that you clearly state your wishes and intentions for your healthcare. This can help avoid confusion or misunderstandings among your family members or healthcare providers.
  • Convenience: With a mobile notary service like Walkers Mobile Notary, you can have your proxy notarized at a location and time that is convenient for you. Whether you are at home, in the hospital, or at a nursing facility, our team can come to you and ensure that your documents are properly notarized.

Make an Appointment with Walkers Mobile Notary Service

If you are ready to take the important step of notarizing a NY health care proxy, Walkers Mobile Notary Service can help. We offer convenient and reliable mobile notary services to individuals and families throughout Westchester.

To schedule an appointment, simply contact us today. We look forward to helping you protect your wishes and prepare for the future with confidence.

Advanced Healthcare Directive Notary Service

Advanced healthcare directives are legal documents that allow you to express your healthcare preferences and appoint a healthcare agent who will make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.

A notary public can help you properly execute your advanced healthcare directive and ensure that it is legally binding.

In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about our advanced healthcare directive notary service.

What is an Advanced Healthcare Directive?

An advanced healthcare directive is a legal document that allows you to communicate your healthcare preferences and appoint a healthcare agent who will make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This document is also known as a living will or a medical power of attorney. It ensures that your healthcare wishes are respected and that your designated agent can make decisions on your behalf.

What are the benefits of having an Advanced Healthcare Directive?

Having an advanced healthcare directive has several benefits, including:

  • You can make your healthcare preferences known in advance.
  • You can appoint a trusted individual to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
  • You can ensure that your healthcare wishes are respected.
  • You can avoid family disputes and court intervention.

5 Types of Advance Directives in New York

In New York State, there are five types of advance directives that individuals can use to express their health care wishes.

1. Health Care Proxy

A Health Care Proxy allows individuals to appoint a healthcare agent, someone they trust to make health care decisions for them if they are unable to make decisions for themselves. This document can be especially helpful if an individual is incapacitated or unable to communicate their wishes.

2. Living Will

A Living Will, on the other hand, allows individuals to leave written instructions that explain their health care wishes, particularly with regard to end-of-life care. It is important to note that a Living Will cannot be used to name a health care agent; for that, a Health Care Proxy must be used.

3. Living Will + Health Care Proxy

By using a Living Will together with a Health Care Proxy, individuals can both state their health care wishes and name a health care agent to ensure those wishes are carried out.

4. Do Not Resuscitate Order

A Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR) allows individuals to express their wish to forgo cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which is an emergency treatment that restarts the heart and lungs if a person’s heartbeat or breathing stops. This document can be particularly useful for individuals with serious medical conditions or those who are nearing the end of their lives.

5. Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment

Finally, Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) is another way of documenting an individual’s treatment preferences with regard to life-sustaining treatment. MOLST is a medical order form that is completed by a healthcare professional in consultation with the patient or their healthcare agent, and it provides guidance for healthcare providers in emergency situations.

Each individual should carefully consider their options and consult with an attorney or healthcare professional to ensure that their advance directive accurately reflects their wishes and is legally valid.

What is a Notary Public?

A notary public is a public official who is authorized by the state government to witness the signing of legal documents and administer oaths. They are responsible for verifying the identity of the signers and ensuring that the documents are properly executed.

How Can a Notary Public Help with Advanced Healthcare Directives?

A notary public can help you properly execute your advanced healthcare directive and ensure that it is legally binding. They can:

  • Verify your identity and the identity of witnesses.
  • Ensure that you understand the contents of the document.
  • Witness the signing of the document.
  • Affix their official seal to the document.

Why is it Important to Use a Notary Public for Your Advanced Healthcare Directive?

Using a notary public for your advanced healthcare directive is important because it ensures that the document is legally binding and will be recognized by healthcare providers and courts. A notary public can also help prevent fraud and ensure that the document reflects your true intentions.

How to Get Your Advanced Healthcare Directive Notarized?

To get your advanced healthcare directive notarized, you should follow these steps:

  1. Create your advanced healthcare directive document.
  2. Find a notary public who is authorized to notarize legal documents in your state.
  3. Bring a valid form of identification and any witnesses required by your state to the notary public.
  4. Review the document with the notary public and ensure that you understand its contents.
  5. Sign the document in front of the notary public and any required witnesses.
  6. Have the notary public affix their official seal to the document.

What Should You Consider When Choosing a Notary Public?

When choosing a notary public to notarize your advanced healthcare directive, you should consider the following:

  • The notary public must be authorized to notarize legal documents in your state.
  • The notary public must be impartial and not have a financial interest in the document.
  • The notary public must be available at a convenient time and location for you.
  • The notary public must be experienced and knowledgeable about advanced healthcare directives.

Conclusion

An advanced healthcare directive is an essential legal document that allows you to communicate your healthcare preferences and appoint a trusted individual to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.

Notarizing your advanced healthcare directive is crucial to ensure that it is legally binding and will be recognized by healthcare providers and courts.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can properly execute your advanced healthcare directive with the help of a notary public.

FAQs

  1. Can I change my advanced healthcare directive after it has been notarized?

Yes, you can change your advanced healthcare directive at any time by creating a new document or amending your existing one. It is important to note that any changes must be properly executed and notarized to ensure their legal validity.

  1. Is a notarized advanced healthcare directive valid in all states?

Not necessarily. Each state has its own laws regarding advanced healthcare directives and notarization requirements. It is important to consult with an attorney or a notary public in your state to ensure that your advanced healthcare directive is properly executed and valid.

  1. Do I need a lawyer to create an advanced healthcare directive?

No, you do not need an attorney to create an advanced healthcare directive. However, it is recommended that you consult with an attorney or a healthcare professional to ensure that your document accurately reflects your wishes and is legally valid.

  1. How often should I review and update my advanced healthcare directive?

It is recommended that you review and update your advanced healthcare directive every few years or if there are any significant changes in your health status or personal circumstances.

  1. Can I appoint multiple healthcare agents in my advanced healthcare directive?

While you can only appoint 1 agent in New York, you can designate an alternative agent as a backup.

What Is A Notary Public?

what is a notary public? - Walkers Mobile Notary service

A notary public plays a vital role in society and it would be difficult to complete many major transactions without them.

Notaries have been around for centuries and have remained the same at the core — a person of impeccable integrity with a long tradition of trust.

The seal of a notary is as trustworthy and binding today as it was when first created.

What is a notary public?

A notary public is an official who is commissioned by state government to serve as an impartial witness of important documents that are being signed.

In some cases, notaries may also be required to administer oaths, where a signer declares under penalty of perjury that the contents of the document are true and accurate.

What is a notary signing agent?

A loan signing agent is a notary that specializes in loan documents. They are often used by mortgage companies and title companies to notarize loan documents for home buyers who are unable to appear in person at a closing.

A loan signing agent must first be a commissioned notary public and have completed a certification process that includes passing a background check. In some states, they may also be required to take continuing education courses on real estate and notary law.

What is a mobile notary?

A mobile notary service can send a traveling notary to your home/office to notarize your paperwork.

This is a wonderful service for people with busy schedules or anyone unable to travel. It also solves the issue with getting a professional notary at typical places like UPS, bank, or a library.

What does a notary do?

Notaries are often used to deter fraud and ensure accuracy in legal transactions.

They are responsible for screening each person signing the document’s identity, their willingness to sign without duress (no force or coercion), and their general awareness of the contents within the document.

The notarization process is simple

Before notarizing a document, notaries ask for photo identification from the participating parties. A notary can refuse to authenticate a document if they are uncertain about the identity of the signing parties or if there is evidence of fraud.

The document then receives the notary’s official signature and seal (usually a notary stamp) and now it is ready to be submitted.

Notaries are also responsible for keeping records of the documents they’ve notarized. This is yet another way we help to deter fraud and ensure accuracy in the event that a document needs to be verified at a later date.

Why are notaries needed?

The main purpose of a notary public is to deter fraud.

Recently, identity crime and attempted fraud jumped by 36% in just 1 year between 2020-2021. This makes the role of a notary increasingly vital in today’s world where scams are at an all time high.

Even with online notarizations which are done virtually, the notary still has the responsibility of screening the validity of the signers and their documents.

To be an effective agent against fraud, the notary public’s trust must be built on impartiality.

Notaries are under a legal duty not to act in cases where they have a personal stake or something to gain. The public holds faith that the notary’s screening process has not been tainted by self-interest.

This impartiality prevents a notary from refusing to assistance someone due to race, nationality, religion, politics, sexual orientation, or status as a non-customer.

When do you need a notary?

There are many scenarios where you might need a notary. These include:

  • If you’re buying or selling a house
  • If you’re transferring ownership of a car or property
  • If you want to complete a will, power of attorney, and other estate planning documents
  • If you’re renewing your passport
  • If you’re traveling with your children
  • If you need to sign an affidavit
  • If you’re moving to another country

History of Notaries

Notaries have been around for centuries, with the first recorded instances dating back to ancient Babylon. At that time, notaries were wise and respected members of society who oversaw transactions to ensure their fairness.

Over time, the role of notary has evolved into a professional service. However, its core purpose remains the same: to guarantee that all participants in a transaction are who they say they are, that they understand what they’re signing, and that they’re doing so of their own free will.

The integrity that this profession requires has not changed over time, which makes them an invaluable part in our society’s infrastructure.

Notable Figure: John Calvin Coolidge, Sr. was a notary who sworn in the 30th president of The United States of America. That president happens to be his son, Calvin Coolidge.

https://web.archive.org/web/20150906004309/https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/68413/notaryguide_2015.pdf

How to become a Notary Public

To become a notary public, you must first contact your state’s notary division to find out the specific requirements. Generally speaking, you must be at least 18 years old, have a clean criminal record, and pass a written exam.

Please share this article the next time you are asked what is a notary public!

New York UPS Notary Services Are Outdated!

UPS notary service better alternative - mobile notary in NY

Did you know that using a mobile notary service is actually the better alternative to using a UPS notary?

It’s true! You could potentially waste your time and money if you use a notary at the local UPS store near you.

There are a number of reasons why this is the case, and we’ll share some of them with you here. But first, let’s talk about what can go wrong with a UPS notarization.

Major Problems With a UPS notary

Most New Yorkers only have 1 or 2 UPS stores nearby – often requiring miles of travel to get there. Let us help you with the possible pitfalls of using the United Postal Service notary public so you don’t waste your time, gas, and energy.

UPS does NOT notarize all documents

Some complex but vital documents will get denied for notarization at UPS. This can include power of attorney, I-9 employment verification, and certain mortgage papers. Your valuable document is guaranteed to be accepted by a full-time notary company like ours.

You risk being denied for:

  • Wills
  • Power of Attorney
  • Large loan signing (such as a NY Cema refinance)

Limited UPS Store notary availability

Not every UPS location has notaries on staff. If one is available, they’re often only free for short windows during business hours. This can make it difficult or impossible to get your documents notarized if UPS timings are not reliable.

Bad appointment process

UPS uses a complicated and often error-prone online appointment system for all several thousand locations. This system doesn’t consider the mountain of work employees already have on their hands and could cause you to wait long past your set appointment time.

Learn more: What is a Notary Public?

UPS Notary Cost

I’m guessing the top question on your mind right now is how much does UPS charge?

The UPS store notary fees vary by location and can be anywhere between $2-$25 in New York and other states. You can expect to be charged for every signature but there is no way to know exactly how much UPS will charge until your appointment.

This lack of transparency led to UPS being sued for overcharging customers for notary services.

Walkers Mobile Notary Service only charges a flat fee for travel/convenience and all extra signatures are free. Before you book, we will give you an exact quote with zero surprises!

Mobile Notary Services – Better Alternative to UPS Store Notary

Save yourself the time & hassle with our convenient traveling notary services.

Get a professional mobile notary public sent to your home to notarize your paperwork — On your schedule!

You can expect to pay more for the convenience of a professional notary traveling to you. It is well worth the cost if you have legal documents, an upcoming deadline, or just prefer great service.

Convenience at your home or office

Imagine having to leave your home in the middle of winter or take time off work to get a document notarized. Only to be greeted by long lines. That’s the experience you get at your local UPS store near you.

You won’t need to leave the comfort of your home since our notaries travel to you!

Never forget documents again

We all know the pain of forgetting something and not realizing until you’re halfway to your destination. It is very annoying to travel to the UPS store twice in 1 day. Walkers mobile notary service eliminates this risk since our agents come to you. 

Flexibility to fit your schedule

We work around your busy day so you can get the notarization done at a time that’s convenient for you.

You can get a mobile notary whenever you need it most, wherever you’re located. Unlike the UPS store where you’re limited by their store hours and appointment availability.

Available Weekends & Holidays

When UPS offices are closed, our notary public services are available to help. We are available outside business hours, on weekends, and many holidays.

Full service Notary Company

Get a knowledgeable and well-trained notary who can ensure your document is properly notarized including attaching extra forms where necessary.

If you require witnesses, we got you covered!

We accept all payment methods including cash, card, Paypal, Zelle, & Cash App.

Online Notary Service Vs Local UPS Store Notaries

Our virtual notary service will be available this year and it will take convenience to a whole new level!

Get a certified notary public to meet over video chat (similar to Zoom) so you can get your legal documents notarized in the comfort of your own home – even in your pajamas!

Stay tuned for our online notary services announcement.

Free Notary Alternatives to The UPS Store

If you are hoping to notarize your document for free, there are a few options available.

Library: It Is common to have a notary on staff at larger public libraries. Be sure to check their website or call ahead to see availability.

Bank: Banks notoriously have a staff member become certified as a notary public to help their clients. This is becoming less common and bank employees tend to deny many requests.

Police or Government : Many police departments and town clerks have a notary public on staff and will often do this free of charge for local residents.