Arizona Mobile Notary Services
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Servicing The Greater Phoenix Area
and All of Maricopa County
602-492-1336
What is an Advanced Healthcare Directive?
An Advanced Healthcare Directive (AHD) is a legal document that allows individuals to outline their preferences for medical care in the event they are unable to communicate those wishes themselves. This vital document typically includes two components: a Living Will, which specifies the types of medical treatments a person does or does not want, and a Healthcare Power of Attorney, which designates someone to make medical decisions on their behalf.
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​In Phoenix, Arizona, every adult has the right to create an Advanced Healthcare Directive—and it's free to do so through the Arizona Attorney General’s office. These directives play a crucial role in ensuring your personal values and healthcare preferences are honored, even during unforeseen emergencies.
Advanced Healthcare Directives are especially important for families, aging individuals, and those managing chronic or terminal illnesses. Having a legally notarized document gives both medical professionals and loved ones clear guidance, reducing the stress and uncertainty that can arise during a medical crisis.
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At Arizona Mobile Notary Services, we help make the process easier by offering professional mobile notarization of your Healthcare Directive and Power of Attorney documents. We come to your home, hospital room, or care facility anywhere in the Phoenix area to ensure your forms are signed, witnessed, and notarized properly.
Who Benefits from Advanced Healthcare Directives?
1. You, the Person Creating the Directive (The Principal)
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Your Voice, Even When You Can't Speak: Your AHD ensures that your healthcare decisions are followed, even if you're unable to communicate them yourself.
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Peace of Mind: Knowing that your wishes are clearly documented gives you comfort and removes any worries about your healthcare choices being misunderstood.
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2. Your Healthcare Providers
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Clear Guidance for Your Care: Doctors and nurses will know exactly what treatments or interventions you want (or don’t want) in case of an emergency, ensuring the care you receive is what you desire.
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Legal Protection: Following your AHD protects healthcare providers from uncertainty, ensuring they’re making decisions based on your wishes.
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3. Your Family Members and Loved Ones
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Less Stress During Tough Times: Your loved ones don’t have to guess what you want, which can ease their stress during difficult situations.
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Fewer Conflicts: When your preferences are clear, there’s less chance for family disagreements about your care.
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4. Your Healthcare Agents (Surrogates or Designated Decision-Makers)
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Confidence in Their Role: If you choose someone to make decisions for you, an AHD gives them clear guidance so they can act with confidence and ensure your wishes are respected.
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5. Your Attorneys and Legal Professionals
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Simple and Straightforward: If you have legal help, having an AHD makes things simpler, reducing the need for complicated legal processes if something happens to you like guardianship or court intervention.
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6. Insurance Companies
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Fewer Disputes: Insurance companies benefit because they have a clear understanding of what treatments are covered, and there are fewer chances for disagreements about your care.​
When Should I Prepare My Advanced Healthcare Directives?
An Advance Healthcare Directive (AHD) is something you should prepare before you need it. Here’s when it’s a good idea to get started:
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1. When You’re Healthy and Thinking Clearly
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It’s best to create your AHD when you’re in good health and able to make decisions clearly. This way, you can take your time and think carefully about what you want for your healthcare.
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2. When You’re Going Through Big Life Changes
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Major life events—like starting a family, getting married, or retiring—are great moments to set up your AHD. It’s a way of planning ahead and making sure your loved ones know your wishes.
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An 18-year-old should get an Advance Healthcare Directive to ensure their healthcare wishes are known and respected in case of an emergency, as once they turn 18, parents no longer have legal access to their medical information or decisions without proper documentation.
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3. Before Any Major Health Concerns
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If you’ve been diagnosed with a serious illness, or you just want to be proactive, it’s the perfect time to create an AHD. It ensures that you’re ready if a health emergency ever arises.
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4. When You’re Thinking About Your Future
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If you’re just thinking about what you want for your future and want to be sure your healthcare wishes are respected no matter what, this is a great time to prepare your AHD.
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5. Anytime You Want to Be Prepared
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There’s no “wrong” time to prepare your AHD! Whether you’re young and healthy or older and want to be prepared, having a plan in place is always a good idea. It gives you and your loved one's peace of mind.
Accessing Arizona's FREE
Advanced Healthcare Directives
We suggest these two websites that you can easily access a free Advance Healthcare Directive form to get started on documenting your healthcare wishes. They provide a simple, downloadable form that you can fill out at your own pace.
Visit the Arizona Secretary of State’s Website​
Visit the CaringInfo Website​
How to Complete Arizona's Advanced Healthcare Directives & What You Need to Know
Here’s how you can access it:
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Choose which site you would like to access
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Download the Form
Once on the site, you can download the form and print it at home. It’s easy to fill out, and you can complete it at a time that works best for you. -
Fill It Out
The form includes clear instructions on how to complete it. Carefully read each form and fill in your personal information and healthcare preferences. You’ll need to specify your healthcare preferences and choose a healthcare agent (someone who can make decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself). -
Sign and Notarize or Witness the Documents
Arizona requires that your AHD forms be either notarized or signed by a witness
Notarization: A notary public can verify your identity and witness your signature.
Witnessing: If you choose witnesses, they must be
At least 18 years old.
Not related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption.
Not entitled to any part of your estate.
Not your healthcare provider
As a certified notary public in Arizona, I can assist you with this step to ensure your documents are properly executed.
Service Locations
Banner University Medical Center
1111 E McDowell Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602) 839-2000
St. Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center
350 W Thomas Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 406-3000