A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO CHOOSING A HEALTH CARE PROXY FOR PEACE OF MIND Your Health in Trusted Hands
Establishing a health care proxy is paramount to ensure your medical wishes are followed should you ever become unable to make those decisions yourself. The person whom you choose as your health care proxy will have the authority to oversee your medical care based on your designated preferences. This legal process is essential for everyone, so it’s time to learn how to thoughtfully select your proxy. Understand the role of a health care proxy. A health care proxy involves entrusting someone to make medical decisions on your behalf, guided by your specified directives. The process to establish this proxy involves selecting a person you trust, creating a legal document to formalize their authority, getting it notarized, and having two witnesses sign it. Choose the right person for the job. Choosing a proxy should not be taken lightly. It’s essential to consider not just who cares for you but who can respect and advocate for your health care wishes. For instance, if you have specified that you do not want extraordinary life-saving measures taken in certain situations, your proxy should be able to honor that wish against emotional pressures that might arise.
Ideally, your proxy should live near enough to be involved quickly if needed and can be present at critical times. Their ability to speak directly to doctors and confirm that your care aligns with your preferences is an invaluable part of their role. Provide clear written guidance. Putting your specific wishes into writing within the legal document is vital. This not only aids your proxy in making decisions that reflect your desires but also provides a clear guideline that can be legally upheld should disputes arise. The more thorough your instructions, the easier it will be for your proxy to navigate the complexities of your health care needs. Always consult with a professional. The process of choosing a health care proxy and drafting the necessary legal documents to empower them can be complex. At Merlino & Gonzalez, we specialize in helping people navigate these sensitive issues, ensuring they feel confident and secure in their decisions. Call 718-698-2200 today to schedule a consultation and ensure your medical wishes are respected, no matter what the future holds.
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GREEK CHICKEN AND RICE Michele’s Recipe Corner
Nobody is promised tomorrow, so we knew a big change was needed to live our lives to the fullest while we still can.
Meanwhile, transitioning to another state meant we needed to update our estate planning documents. Once again, we turned to Merlino & Gonzalez. Ken Gonzalez helped us organize our new estate plans, ensuring all our documents were up to date and compliant with New Jersey laws. Their responsiveness and attentiveness to our needs during this process were as outstanding as during our property purchase. If you need real estate and estate planning assistance, we can’t recommend Merlino & Gonzalez enough. The seamless experience they provided saved us from the usual stress associated with buying and selling property and allowed us to focus on enjoying our new chapter, especially when dealing with other personal matters like health issues. Now, this winter, we don’t have to worry about shoveling the snow on our driveway — that’s someone else’s job! Moving can be daunting, especially as you get older, but with the right support, it can lead to a thrilling new phase full of opportunities and growth. We’re grateful for the smooth transition and the new life we’ve begun here in New Jersey, thanks to our trusted legal team at Merlino & Gonzalez.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed • 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme • 2 cups chicken broth • 1 (14-oz) can diced tomatoes • 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice • Juice of 1 lemon • 1/2 cup feta cheese • Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until softened. 2. Add chicken, oregano, and thyme and cook until the chicken is no longer pink, about 3–4 minutes. 3. Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked through. 4. Stir in the lemon juice and feta cheese, then season with salt and pepper.
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