Blog
3 Common Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid
January 17th, 2024
A thoughtful estate plan provides significant peace of mind that the plan protects you and your loved ones for the future. Unfortunately, estate planning mistakes can completely undermine the legal protections that a solid estate plan provides. Read on to learn about the three most common estate planning mistakes to avoid. Mistake #1: Thinking that…
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Categories: Estate Planning
Does the Personal Representative of an Arizona Estate Receive Compensation?
December 19th, 2023
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…
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Categories: Arizona Probate
Why Is It a Good Idea to Avoid Probate?
November 17th, 2023
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)…
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When (and How) Do You Start the Probate Process for a Loved One’s Estate?
October 18th, 2023
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…
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Categories: Arizona Probate
Can a Non-Resident Serve as the Personal Representative of an Arizona Estate?
September 18th, 2023
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…
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What Should a Business Contract Include?
August 21st, 2023
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…
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Categories: Business Planning
Does the Personal Representative of an Estate Need a Lawyer?
July 17th, 2023
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…
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Categories: Arizona Probate
When Do You Need a Business Law Attorney?
June 15th, 2023
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…
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Categories: Business Planning
Demystifying the Probate Terminology
May 16th, 2023
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…
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Categories: Arizona Probate
Is It Time to Update Your Estate Plan?
April 17th, 2023
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,…
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Categories: Estate Planning
