Free Arizona Medical Power of Attorney Forms
If you’re worried about the day when you (the principal) may no longer be capable of making healthcare-related decisions for yourself, a medical power of attorney is a good document to have. A medical power of attorney (POA) empowers someone you trust (an agent) to make those choices for you in the event that you become incapacitated or mentally incompetent.
Arizona Medical Power of Attorney Laws
This section outlines the conditions of the medical power of attorney in Arizona. It gives permission so your agent can make healthcare decisions on your behalf. According to the statute, if the agent’s license as a fiduciary is revoked or suspended, the authority granted is lost unless the individual is “related to the principal by blood, adoption, or marriage” (Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-3221-E).
Signing Requirements in Arizona
The principal must sign the form before a notary public or an adult witness who must confirm that the principal was of sound mind and not under duress when the POA was created and signed.
A qualified witness for the POA should not be related to the principal by blood, marriage, or adoption. In addition, they must “not be entitled to any part of the principal's estate by will or by operation of law at the time that the power of attorney is executed” (Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-3221-D).
How To Write a Medical POA in Arizona
When you’re drawing up a medical POA, you need to ensure that it will be honored by the state. There are four basic steps in executing a legally binding medical POA in Arizona:
1. Pick an agent
Your agent will be in charge of your healthcare treatments and decisions, so you must choose an agent you trust. You can choose multiple agents in case your primary agent is unavailable. Family members, including your spouse, child, or sibling, are eligible for the role.
2. Discuss the responsibilities and compensation of the agent
Discussing the responsibilities with the person you’ve chosen as your agent is important. In case of mental incompetence or incapacity, they will decide if certain medical procedures should be pursued. This person will also dictate if you, the principal, should be admitted to a healthcare facility for your own good. When the time comes, your agent may have to make difficult end-of-life decisions on your behalf.
As the principal, you can make your preferences and choices clear to your agent while still mentally able. This includes instructions regarding medical procedures and end-of-life scenarios.
Compensation must also be discussed. Agents are usually entitled to receive wages, which can be a flat monthly fee or an hourly fee. In addition, agents are also reimbursed for the expenses they shouldered during the performance of their responsibilities. This includes reimbursements for lodging, food, and transportation.
After discussing what the role entails and its compensation, they must agree to it. All of these details should be included in your medical POA.
3. Download the Arizona Medical Power of Attorney Template
Medical POAs have certain terminologies and formats. The easiest and cheapest way to get a standard Arizona medical POA is to download our printable template. However, you can also ask a lawyer for assistance. If you download a form, you can fill it out with your information and instructions so that it accurately and completely reflects your conditions.
4. Sign the Document
To make the document legally binding so your agent acts as a healthcare proxy, you must sign the document in front of a notary public or at least one adult witness. The witness must not be related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption.