A living will has nothing to do with property. It is a short written statement about the medical care you do and do not want at the end of life - resuscitation, machines, comfort care. Its real gift is not legal. It is that the people you love never have to make those calls alone, wondering what you would have said.
Living will and health care power of attorney: a pair, not a choice
The health care power of attorney names the person who decides. The living will tells that person what you want. Arizona law lets the living will can stand alone or be part of a health care power of attorney; verified the same way as a health care POA. Most people sign the two together, on the same afternoon, and are done.
How to make one that counts
- You must be an adult, and the document should plainly state your treatment wishes.
- If it stands alone, it is verified the same way as a health care power of attorney: notarized OR witnessed by at least one qualifying adult.
- Arizona providers who follow an apparently genuine living will in good faith are protected by statute - which means the document is taken seriously, exactly as written.
Then make it findable
A living will locked in a drawer helps no one at 2 a.m. Arizona runs a free statewide registry, the Arizona Healthcare Directives Registry, where your directives are stored and available to hospitals when it matters. Registering takes minutes and costs nothing. Give copies to your agent and your doctor as well.
Sources
- A.R.S. § 36-3261 (living will; verification) (full text, checked 2026-08-09)
- A.R.S. § 36-3221 (health care power of attorney; requirements) (checked 2026-08-09)
- Arizona Healthcare Directives Registry (AzHDR) (checked 2026-08-09)
Educational information only, not legal advice. Have your documents reviewed by a licensed professional.