Can You Change Your Advance Directive in Arizona?

If you’re concerned about what might happen if you become incapacitated and unable to communicate decisions regarding your medical care, creating an Arizona advance health care directive gives you a way to inform your loved ones and healthcare providers regarding your wishes or preferences. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that your advance directive may need updating if your personal circumstances change.

What Is an Advance Directive for Healthcare?

An advance directive for healthcare lets you document your wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care, ensuring that family members and healthcare providers understand your preferences. It often works in conjunction with a health care power of attorney (POA), which enables you to appoint a health care agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Other documents, such as a mental health care power of attorney, fall into the broader category of an advance healthcare directive.

A living will is not the same as an advance healthcare directive. A living will states your treatment preferences in a medical crisis, while an advance directive also lets you appoint someone to make healthcare decisions if you become incapacitated. 

Can Advance Directives Be Changed or Revoked in Arizona?

You can change or revoke your advance directives at any time, provided you have the legal capacity to manage your affairs. People often choose to make changes in their advance directives when they become terminally ill or if their values or belief systems change. Innovations in medical treatment may also encourage a person to adapt their advance directives if they believe new healthcare options can extend their quality of life.

Steps to Modify Advance Directives in Arizona

Modifying an advance directive in Arizona involves several steps. First, review your existing directive documents to determine which changes you want to make. You should also consult with your doctors regarding anticipated medical needs, issues, and treatment options, as well as speak with family members or close friends regarding your health care decisions and wishes.

An experienced attorney can help you amend your advance directive and register it with the Arizona Healthcare Directives Registry (AZHDR). If you have previously registered your advance directive with the state of Arizona, you must register updated advance directive documents. You should also store the original copies in a safe place and give copies to family members so that they have the most recent copy of your healthcare wishes.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Make Changes to My Advance Directives?

Although state law does not require you to hire an attorney to change your advance directive form in Arizona, having legal assistance when updating advance directive forms can help you avoid pitfalls or mistakes that could create legal disputes and heartache for your family later.

An attorney can guide you through the factors to consider when updating your advance directive, including specific treatment scenarios where you may want to leave detailed instructions to help healthcare providers follow your wishes. Drafting an advance directive with guidance from a lawyer can also help you think about situations you may not have anticipated on your own, such as life-threatening emergencies, organ donation, or long-term care choices.

Get in Touch with Our Estate Planning Attorneys

When your priorities, wishes, or personal circumstances regarding your healthcare change, you may need to update your Arizona advance directive to ensure the documents continue to reflect your preferences. The experienced Arizona estate planning attorneys at Pennington Law, PLLC can help. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.