09 Dec Why You Need a Medical Power of Attorney
.If you’re ever injured in an accident and you’re lying unconscious in the hospital, is there anyone who is authorized to make decisions about your medical care? Do you trust your emergency contact to know what you would want?
If you have strong opinions regarding healthcare, or you have a dangerous job, a medical power of attorney is a good idea. It gives your chosen “agent” or “proxy” the ability to make medical decisions when you can’t. You can also use a medical POA to express your final wishes, such as whether you want your body to be cremated or buried, and whether or not you want a funeral.
Here’s a real-life example of why you need a medical power of attorney.
Dan’s story:
“My mom had a stroke, and she was unable to talk or communicate at all. It was devastating to see her that way, but it helped that I knew exactly what she would want me to do.”
“Because we knew something like this could happen, we were prepared. We had discussed her wishes for medical care in detail, and she also stated them in her power of attorney documents. As her proxy, I was able to learn the exact details of her medical condition and communicate with the doctors when she couldn’t.”
What can a medical power of attorney do?
In your power of attorney documents, you can specify your preferences for medical care, life support, and more. Your proxy is there to make sure your wishes are carried out. If you are ever incapacitated, they will be able to discuss your condition with the medical staff. They will also have access to your medical records, and be able to make decisions about treatment or end-of-life care.
However, a medical POA proxy’s responsibilities are limited to healthcare matters only. If you want them to deal with financial matters, like medical bills and insurance claims, you will need to draw up a financial power of attorney as well.
How to Get a Power of Attorney in Arizona
The first step is to choose someone you trust to act as your proxy, and then ask them if they are willing to take on that role. Make sure they know exactly what would be involved.
Next, download Arizona’s medical POA form so you can review it carefully. Consider each question carefully, and decide how you want to answer. Besides medical care, you can also state your preferences regarding autopsy, organ donation, and funeral, burial, or cremation.
These decisions are optional, and you may choose to leave them up to your proxy. However, if your proxy is a close family member, it’s probably best to make some arrangements ahead of time. Your loved ones will already be mourning your loss, and the additional burden of making those final decisions could weigh heavily on them.
Filling out the form and getting it notarized will make it legal. However, you might want to meet with your doctor or an attorney first, especially if you have any questions.
Your doctor can make sure you’ve covered all your bases as far as medical care. And your attorney will review the document to make sure it accurately represents your wishes. They can also explain exactly how a medical POA works and advise you on whether or not you might need additional documents, like a living will or an advance directive.
Looking for a Trusted Estate Planning Firm in the Phoenix Area?
Phelps LaClair has been practicing estate planning law for over 40 years, and we’ve earned our reputation as the most recommended firm in Arizona. We’re good at what we do, because we understand that estate planning is about people, not documents. The planning we do for you now will make all the difference for your loved ones when the time comes.
If you have any questions about setting up a medical power of attorney or the estate planning process, we can help. Your initial consultation is always free, so set your mind at ease. Schedule an appointment with one of our experts today.
Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash used with permission under the creative commons license for commercial use 12/9/25.