Advance Directive Lawyer in Bergen County, NJ
An advance directive in New Jersey, governed by the New Jersey Advance Directives for Health Care Act (N.J.S.A. 26:2H-53 et seq.), allows you to appoint a health care representative and outline your medical wishes. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides clear guidance to ensure your directives are legally sound and respected by Bergen County medical facilities.
New Jersey Advance Directive Law
An advance directive is a legal document that communicates your health care preferences if you become unable to speak for yourself. In New Jersey, the law combines a proxy directive (appointing a health care representative) and an instruction directive (stating your treatment wishes) into a single document. The statute provides the framework for creating, witnessing, and revoking these directives to ensure they are followed by health care providers in Hackensack University Medical Center and other Bergen County facilities.
Last verified: March 2026 | Superior Court of NJ, Bergen Vicinage | New Jersey Legislature
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of the law, review the New Jersey Advance Directives for Health Care Act (N.J.S.A. 26:2H-53). For forms and additional guidance, the New Jersey Courts website on health care directives provides public resources.
Creating an Advance Directive in Bergen County
The process for creating a valid advance directive in Bergen County requires specific steps to ensure it is honored. You must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind. The document must be signed by you and witnessed by two adults, or notarized. It is important to provide copies to your designated health care representative, your primary physician, and any specialists you see at Englewood Health or Valley Hospital.
- Decide on your health care representative and alternate.
- Detail your specific wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment, pain management, and organ donation.
- Complete the New Jersey Advance Directive form, ensuring all sections are filled.
- Sign the document in the presence of two unrelated witnesses or a notary public.
- Distribute copies to your representative, doctor, and family, and keep the original in a secure but accessible place.
- Review and update the directive periodically, especially after major life or health changes.
Key Considerations for Your Directive
In Bergen County, a properly executed advance directive ensures your medical autonomy is protected and provides clear guidance to your family and doctors.
Firm Experience in Estate Planning
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. With over 120 years of combined attorney experience, our firm has assisted numerous clients in New Jersey with foundational estate planning documents, including advance directives. Our approach focuses on creating clear, enforceable plans that reflect your personal values and provide peace of mind for your loved ones in Paramus, Teaneck, and throughout Bergen County.
Planning for Your Future
An advance directive is a proactive step to control your medical future. While we do not have locality-specific case results for this non-adversarial planning document, our firm-wide experience across estate matters provides the foundation for careful, client-focused drafting. We ensure your document is case-specific to New Jersey law and your specific wishes.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
New Jersey Location — 44 Apple St, 1st Floor
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (732) 651-9900
By appointment only.
Our New Jersey location serves clients throughout Bergen County, including Hackensack, Fort Lee, Teaneck, Paramus, Englewood, Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, and Bergenfield. We are accessible via I-80, the NJ Turnpike, and Route 17. For an affordable advance directive lawyer Bergen County residents can trust, contact us for a 24/7 phone consultation. Meetings are by appointment only.
Advance Directive Lawyer Bergen County FAQ
What is included in a New Jersey advance directive?
Yes. A New Jersey advance directive includes two main parts: a proxy directive to name your health care representative and an instruction directive to state your wishes about treatments like resuscitation, ventilation, and tube feeding.
Do I need a lawyer to create an advance directive?
It depends. While you can use state-provided forms, an advance directive lawyer near me Bergen County can ensure your document is full, properly executed, and addresses medical scenarios specific to your health and values, preventing future disputes.
Who can witness my advance directive in NJ?
Two competent adults who are not your appointed health care representative or alternate, or a notary public. Witnesses cannot be related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption, and cannot be entitled to any part of your estate.
Can I revoke or change my advance directive?
Yes. You can revoke your directive at any time by physically destroying it, creating a new one, or verbally stating your intent to revoke in front of a witness. It is best to formally revoke the old document when creating a new one.
When does my advance directive take effect?
It takes effect only when your attending physician and a second physician determine you lack the capacity to make health care decisions. It does not give your representative authority while you are still able to communicate your own wishes.
For more information, see our New Jersey Estate Planning Lawyer hub. Residents may also consider a Trust & Estate Lawyer in Atlantic County or a Business Lawyer in Bergen County.
Last verified: March 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.
Your case in Bergen County, New Jersey
Immigration matters are federal: removal cases for New Jersey residents are heard at the Newark Immigration Court and applications are decided by USCIS. County criminal charges that can affect immigration status are heard in the Criminal Part of the Law Division. In Bergen County that is the Superior Court of NJ, Bergen Vicinage (2nd Vicinage), 10 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601, telephone (201) 527-2700, open Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM. Court procedures change; confirm the current schedule on the official vicinage website or with the clerk before you file or appear.
The governing law for this topic is the federal Immigration and Nationality Act. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles Bergen County matters from its New Jersey location at 44 Apple St 1st Floor, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724; meetings are by appointment. Request a New Jersey consultation at (888) 437-7747 or (609) 983-0003.
Related New Jersey pages: Bergen County NJ lawyers directory · Advance Directive Lawyer Hudson County, NJ · Advance Directive Lawyer Monmouth County, NJ.