When people think about estate planning, they often focus on wills, trusts, and financial powers of attorney. But there’s another important document many Arizonans overlook: the Mental Health Power of Attorney. This tool plays a crucial role in protecting your wishes and ensuring you receive the care you want if you ever face a mental health crisis.
What Is a Mental Health Power of Attorney?
An Arizona Mental Health Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make mental health care decisions for you if you become unable to make them yourself.
This document is specific to mental health treatment, such as:
- Consent for psychiatric treatment.
- Admission to a behavioral health facility.
- Administration of medications related to mental health care.
Unlike a standard health care power of attorney, this document gives your chosen agent authority to act if you are deemed incapable of making informed decisions about your mental health treatment.
What Does It Do?
The Mental Health Power of Attorney ensures that:
- Your wishes are respected. You can clearly state in advance what treatments you do or do not want.
- You choose who decides for you. Rather than leaving decisions up to the courts or medical providers, you handpick a trusted person to act on your behalf.
- You avoid unnecessary delays. If a crisis arises, your designated agent can act quickly, without the need for court intervention.
Without this document, your loved ones may need to go through a stressful and time-consuming guardianship proceeding to make decisions for you.
Do I Need One
While no one likes to think about losing the ability to make their own decisions, planning ahead gives you peace of mind. You may especially want a Mental Health Power of Attorney if:
- You want to ensure you, not the courts, choose who makes decisions for you.
- You have a history of mental health challenges or want to prepare for any possibility in the future.
- You want to give your loved ones clarity and guidance during difficult times.
In short, if you value control over your medical care and want to make things easier for your family, having this document in place is a wise step.
The Bottom Line
An Arizona Mental Health Power of Attorney is an essential piece of a comprehensive estate plan. It ensures that your preferences are honored and that the right person is empowered to make decisions if you cannot.
Take Control of Your Future
At the Law Offices of Glenn Bishop, PLLC, we help Arizona families build estate plans that cover every aspect of life—including health care decisions.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how a Mental Health Power of Attorney can protect you and your loved ones.