Will.com / Healthcare directive / New York
NY · Health Care Proxy
Make your New York healthcare directive.
Tell doctors what care you want and name someone to speak for you if you can't. Legally valid in New York. Free to create, or add secure online document storage with the $29/year subscription.
New York healthcare directive requirements
How it works
- 1
Answer a few questions
About your care preferences and who you want making decisions.
- 2
Download your healthcare directive
A complete, personalized document, formatted for New York.
- 3
Sign and share
Sign in front of 2 adult witnesses. Give a copy to your healthcare agent and your doctor.
What governs a New York directive
New York's healthcare-directive statute is at N.Y. Pub. Health Law §2981 (within Article 29-C, §§2980-2994). The official form is the Health Care Proxy. Your directive is valid the moment it's signed under your state's witness and notary rules above; it only takes effect if your physician determines you can't make or communicate decisions yourself.
Who can witness your New York directive
N.Y. Pub. Health Law §2981(2)(a): the health care proxy must be signed and dated by the principal in the presence of two adult witnesses, who must also sign and must state that the principal appeared to execute the proxy willingly and free from duress. The person appointed as agent may not act as a witness. Under §2981(2)(b), for a principal residing in a mental hygiene facility operated or licensed by the Office of Mental Health, at least one witness must be an individual not affiliated with the facility, and where that facility is also a hospital as defined in Mental Hygiene Law §1.03(10), at least one witness must be a qualified psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Two tiers, both private
Free: nothing leaves your browser. No account, no storage. Clear your answers whenever.
Subscription ($29/year): zero-knowledge encrypted storage. We store the ciphertext; only you hold the key. Edit and update as life changes.
Ready to create your directive?
Whatever you decide today, your family won’t have to guess. Start free, or save it to your account for $29 a year.