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Most people think of the story of Karen Ann Quinlan, the twenty-one year old who was put on life support systems. Her family had to petition the New Jersey Supreme Court to be permitted to allow her to "die with dignity". The Court did recognize that a person's right to privacy includes a right to determine whether or not to accept medical treatment.

Today, New Jersey and most other States have adopted "Living Will" statutes which embody these principles of a right to privacy and self-determination. A Living Will permits you to decide what, if any, forms of treatment you desire if you become seriously ill. These include suffering from an irreversible illness, life support systems, terminal illness, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the like.

A Living Will further enables you to select that person you desire to act on your behalf for other health care decisions. These include the hiring of physicians, nurses or other health care personnel, the placement in, or removal from a hospital or arrangements for your treatment at home.

It is important to remember that a Living Will is revocable, and it is only relied upon in cases where you are not capable of speaking on your own behalf.

For more information regarding estate planning, please stop in or call the Lakehurst office in the Colbye Commons Shopping Center, at 732-657-0600 for our free brochure.