An AZ living will is a document that stipulates your wishes should something happen to you medically that renders you incapable of making your own decisions. It allows you to maintain control over what happens to your level of care and the direction in which you take, even if you can’t verbally communicate this yourself. It is also known as an advanced directive and is different from other documents like it, such as a living trust or a traditional will.

An AZ living will is specific to your medical care, which is part of why it is an important part of long-term care planning. It is a document that you should have on file with your local medical facility and something you should talk over with your doctor and family members long before it needs to be pulled out and utilized. The requirements for this document vary by station, so it always helps to work with a legal professional when preparing it. They can tell you what steps you need to take to make it official, where you need to file it and answer questions specific to the validity of the document.

However, it should be noted that an AZ living will is valid in other states, provided it was properly prepared originally.

In most instances, when filing a living will, you want to provide documentation from your doctor if you are suffering from an illness that will render you incapable of making your own decisions. Additionally, the person that you appoint to make your healthcare decisions on your behalf should be informed ahead of time; discuss with that person your wishes and make it clear that you trust them to make those decisions not outlined in your AZ living will. This may also be covered in a healthcare power of attorney document, if you want to cover all of your bases to ensure that the person you appoint is hindered by the emotions of other family members and friends dealing with your illness.

When you are planning out your AZ living will, be sure to talk your final decisions over with family and friends, so that everyone is on the same page. Sometimes, during the grieving process, emotions run high and you want to ensure that your health care advocate as well as your loved ones understand the decisions you’ve made in your living will and don’t try to hinder the medical process should the document need to be utilized in your care.

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