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Probate law book with gavel on top. Legal and law concept

Does the Personal Representative of an Arizona Estate Receive Compensation?

The court-appointed personal representative of an Arizona estate has substantial legal and fiduciary duties under state law for administering and settling a decedent’s estate. The laws provide that an individual who serves in that position may receive payment for the work performed, but there are limitations on the amount of compensation a person… Read More
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Categories: Arizona Probate
Probate Application and Estate Assets

Why Is It a Good Idea to Avoid Probate?

Avoiding probate is an important estate planning goal for many individuals. But do you know why it is beneficial to avoid probate? In the discussion that follows, we explain the reasons to establish an estate plan that avoids the probate process — and how you can accomplish that goal. What Is Probate? The term probate (or probate administration)… Read More
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Will Probate

When (and How) Do You Start the Probate Process for a Loved One’s Estate?

When a loved one passes away, family members naturally go through a difficult and challenging time. Focusing on the grieving process and providing emotional support for each other is a top priority. At the same time, every Arizona estate must go through legal estate administration, which may include the state’s statutory probate process. Knowing… Read More
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Categories: Arizona Probate
Toy house, gavel and text PROBATE.

Can a Non-Resident Serve as the Personal Representative of an Arizona Estate?

A question often asked in estate planning and probate is whether a non-resident can serve as the personal representative of an Arizona estate. That is an excellent question, but it is one of many issues that affect selection and appointment of a personal representative. When you make a last will and testament or a family member passes away, legal i… Read More
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Close-up shot of hands holding and pointing with a pen at documents

What Should a Business Contract Include?

If you own a business, you work with business contracts on a daily basis. Agreements with customers and other businesses affect almost everything you do. Having a solid understanding of what a business contract should include can help you make certain that all your agreements are legally enforceable, complete, and protect you to the maximum extent… Read More
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Categories: Business Planning
Hand holding Probate Law book with gavel background. Law concept

Does the Personal Representative of an Estate Need a Lawyer?

The personal representative of an estate has significant legal duties in collecting and distributing property and assets of a deceased individual. While Arizona law does not require a personal representative to have a lawyer, there are important reasons for having a probate attorney assist with administration of the estate, including the potential… Read More
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Categories: Arizona Probate
Meeting with business partners

When Do You Need a Business Law Attorney?

Running your own business carries significant responsibility for making decisions and resolving problems. For any company, a business law attorney can sometimes help you navigate issues much more effectively and successfully. If you encounter one of these common legal issues that businesses face, talking with a knowledgeable lawyer can be very bene… Read More
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Categories: Business Planning
Probate Application and Estate Assets

Demystifying the Probate Terminology

When an Arizona resident passes away, state laws establish requirements for administration and distribution of the deceased person’s estate. In some (but not all) cases, probate of the estate is necessary. If you lose a loved one, the probate process and terminology can be very confusing. In this article, East Valley probate lawyer Shane Peterson… Read More
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Categories: Arizona Probate
Signing the will

Is It Time to Update Your Estate Plan?

Your estate plan is based on your financial and personal circumstances and goals at the time you create the plan. As your situation changes, reviewing your estate plan regularly to determine whether you should update it is just as important as establishing the plan. If you do not take into account changes in your life that impact your estate plan,… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning
Small business owner

3 Questions to Ask (and Answer) When You Start an Arizona Business

When you start an Arizona business, you have many issues to address in the process of getting your company off the ground. It’s easy to get caught up in the operational details, lose sight of the big picture, and fail to address longer-term concerns. There are three basic questions that can keep you on the right track as you establish and grow yo… Read More
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Categories: Business Planning