Free Electronic Advance Directive Storage
Thanks to the partnership between DecideYourCare.org and NYLAG, we are delighted to offer advance directive electronic storage free of charge to all New York City residents, a value of $125. The U.S. Living Will Registry® electronically stores advance directives, and makes them available to health care providers 24 hours/day via secure Internet or telephone -facsimile. APPLICATION DOWNLOAD

Starting the Conversation
This set of questions can help you talk to your family and friends about how important it is to prepare for a crisis, especially a crisis where one is unable to make decisions for oneself. Advance directives consist of four types.  Each enables you to convey your end-of-life wishes in the event that you are unable to communicate:

Glossary of Terms

1. A Health Care Proxy (also known as a health care power of attorney) allows you to appoint a person you trust as your health care agent, who is authorized to make medical decisions on your behalf.
    
2. A Living Will allows you to document your wishes concerning medical treatments at the end of life.
    
3. A Do Not Resuscitate Order (also known as a DNR) is a physician’s order that directs health care professionals and/or emergency medical personnel NOT to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if your heart or breathing stops.  A DNR is only completed when someone is chronically or seriously ill. 
    
4. An Organ Donor Designation allows you to document your wishes regarding donating your organs after your death.  Even if you have indicated that you would like to be an organ donor, your family or health care proxy/agent must give their permission in order for the donation to take place.

Advance directives are not legally valid from state to state. We recommend you complete a healthcare proxy for each state where you spend substantial amounts of time and file them electronically via our free program. You will receive a wallet card enabling healthcare workers to access your proxy anywhere, at any time.

Through our partner organizations, advance directives can be stored electronically free of charge for New York residents. Please visit New York Legal Assistance Group for NYC residents and AssuringYourWishes.org for other New York counties for more details.