Estate planning is not one document. It is a small set of papers, each with one job. Some work while you are alive and unable to speak for yourself. Some work after. A good plan has all of them, kept current, in a place your family can find. Here is the full set, in plain language.
While you are living
- Durable financial power of attorney - names the person who can handle money, property, and bills if you cannot.
- Health care power of attorney - names the person who makes medical decisions when you cannot speak for yourself.
- Living will - your written wishes about end-of-life treatment, so nobody has to guess. Usually paired with the health care power of attorney.
- Mental health care power of attorney - an Arizona-specific document covering mental health treatment decisions; the standard health care POA does not fully cover this. All three together: the advance directive set.
After
- Will - says who receives what, and who is in charge of making it happen. A will alone still goes through probate. Arizona also honors the handwritten will, with real risks.
- Living trust - holds your assets, skips probate entirely, and keeps your affairs private. The route most Arizona homeowners end up choosing once they see the probate numbers.
- Beneficiary designations and deeds - the quiet workhorses. See every route around probate.
What happens with none of this in place
Arizona has court processes for people who never signed the documents: guardianship for personal and medical decisions, and conservatorship for money. They work, and families would rather never meet them - both are public, supervised, and expensive compared to a signature made in time.
The one everyone starts with
If you have none of these, start with the powers of attorney. They are the documents you need while alive, they are inexpensive, and Arizona publishes the requirements right in statute. The complete guide: power of attorney in Arizona.
Educational information only, not legal advice. Document preparation is legal work - Heirworth connects you with licensed professionals for that.