Powers of Attorney in Colorado, Arizona, and California
A power of attorney lets you choose someone you trust to handle your money or your medical care if you can’t. Colorado, Arizona, and California each have their own signing rules, and Arizona’s rules for financial powers are the strictest. Attorney Daniel R. Klein prepares financial and medical powers of attorney that work in your state.
In Colorado
A financial power of attorney is durable unless it says otherwise (C.R.S. 15-14-704).
In Arizona
A financial power of attorney must be signed, witnessed, and notarized.
- Reviewed by
- Daniel R. Klein, attorney
- Last reviewed
This page is general information about Colorado and Arizona law as of . It is not legal advice.
Who needs a power of attorney?
- You’re an adult and want someone you trust ready to help if you get sick or hurt.
- You have surgery, a new diagnosis, or a long trip coming up.
- A parent is starting to need help with bills or doctor visits.
- You have an old power of attorney, or one from another state.
- You’d like to spare your family a court case if you can’t decide for yourself.
What is a power of attorney?
A power of attorney is a signed document that gives another person the legal right to act for you. That person is your agent. Your agent must act in your interest, not their own. You can also name a successor agent, a backup who steps in if your first choice can’t serve.
There are two main kinds:
- Financial. This covers money and property, like paying bills, talking to the bank, and filing taxes.
- Medical. A medical power of attorney lets your agent talk to your doctors and make health care choices when you can’t.
A durable power of attorney is one that keeps working if you lose capacity, the ability to understand and make your own decisions. That is the whole point for most people.
What other documents go with it?
- A living will states your wishes about life support at the end of life.
- A HIPAA authorization lets doctors share your health information with the people you name.
How do we set up your powers of attorney?
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Choose your people
Daniel R. Klein helps you think through who should be your agent, and who should be the backup.
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Daniel drafts the documents
He prepares financial and medical documents that follow your state’s rules.
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You sign the right way
We make sure you sign with the witness or notary your state requires.
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Share copies
We explain who should get a copy, like your agent, your bank, and your doctor.
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Keep it current
It’s wise to review your documents after a move, a divorce, or a change in who you trust.
Most people sign these along with a will or a living trust.
Are powers of attorney different in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona’s signing rules are stricter.
If you move between states. Both states generally accept a financial power of attorney that was signed correctly elsewhere (C.R.S. 15-14-706; A.R.S. 14-5501). Both also honor health care documents from other states (C.R.S. 15-14-509; A.R.S. 36-3208). Arizona has a state registry where you can file health care directives (A.R.S. 36-3291). A quick review makes sure your documents fit where you live now.
In Colorado
A financial power of attorney is durable unless it says otherwise (C.R.S. 15-14-704). You must sign it. If you sign before a notary, your signature is presumed genuine (C.R.S. 15-14-705). For health care, Colorado uses a medical durable power of attorney (C.R.S. 15-14-506). A living will needs 2 witnesses or a notary (C.R.S. 15-18-106).
In Arizona
A financial power of attorney must be signed, witnessed, and notarized. The witness can’t be your agent, your agent’s spouse or child, or the notary (A.R.S. 14-5501). A health care power of attorney needs a notary or 1 adult witness. That person can’t be your agent or involved in your care. If only 1 witness signs, that person also can’t be related to you or inherit from you (A.R.S. 36-3221). Arizona also allows a mental health care power of attorney (A.R.S. 36-3281).
What should I bring?
- Names and phone numbers of the people you’d choose as agents, plus backups.
- Any powers of attorney or health care forms you’ve signed before, from any state.
- Your main doctor’s name and clinic.
- A few notes on your wishes for medical care, if you’ve thought about them.
You can also print our what to bring checklist.
Please don’t email private documents, like account statements or medical records. We’ll tell you how to share them safely.
What does it cost?
You’ll get a written quote before any work begins. See how our fees work.
Questions people ask
When does a power of attorney start working?
It depends on what the document says. Many start the day you sign, so your agent can help right away if needed. Others start only if you can no longer decide for yourself. In Colorado, a financial power of attorney keeps working after you lose capacity unless it says otherwise (C.R.S. 15-14-704).
My parent has dementia. Is it too late for a power of attorney?
Not always. If your parent still understands what the document does and who they are choosing, they may be able to sign. Someone with early memory loss may still be able to. If your parent can no longer understand it, a court process called guardianship or conservatorship may be needed. The sooner you ask, the more choices your family has.
Can I change my agent later?
Yes. While you can still make your own decisions, you can cancel a power of attorney and sign a new one. It’s wise to tell your old agent, and anyone who has a copy, like your bank or doctor. We can help you do this the right way.
Do I need both a financial and a medical power of attorney?
Usually, yes. They cover different decisions. The financial one covers money and property. The medical one covers health care. You can name the same person for both, or different people.
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