Living Wills and Advance Directives in Arizona

An adult may write a living will to control the health care treatment decisions that can be made for them. It can be part of a health care power of attorney or stand alone. A stand-alone living will must be signed the same way as a health care power of attorney: dated and signed, and either notarized or witnessed by at least one adult who affirms the person signed and appeared of sound mind and free from duress. The notary or witness cannot be the named agent or anyone directly providing the person's health care, and a single witness cannot be a relative or heir. The statute offers a sample living will form, which is optional.

Arizona calls it a "health care power of attorney." An adult may name one or more adults to make health care decisions, and may also cover funeral and disposition arrangements. The document must clearly show the intent to create a health care power of attorney, be dated and signed (or marked), and be notarized or witnessed by at least one adult who was present at signing. The notary or witness cannot be the named agent or a person directly involved in the principal's health care; if only one witness is used, that witness cannot be related by blood, marriage or adoption or be an heir or will beneficiary. A fiduciary whose license was suspended or revoked generally cannot serve as agent. A sample form is in the statutes and is optional.