» Estate Planning

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

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

Trusts are an important estate planning tool that can achieve a wide range of goals. But before you decide to include one in your estate plan, you should talk with your estate planning lawyer about whether (and how) a trust can achieve your estate planning goals. As part of that discussion, your lawyer will explain how a trust works and what’s in… Read More

Your estate plan is a set of legal documents that accomplishes important goals during your life and after you pass away. If you do not have an estate plan, Arizona laws make critical decisions for you — and the statutes and courts can make decisions that are inconsistent with your wishes. While online services want you to think that you can creat… Read More

If you are a grandparent, protecting your family legacy for the benefit of your grandchildren is probably one of your most important estate planning goals. You have multiple options and tools to choose from in accomplishing this goal, some of which may be more beneficial for you and your grandchildren than others. Your estate planning attorney help… Read More

When you create an estate plan, you may encounter unfamiliar legal words and phrases that can make the process a little bewildering. While your lawyer will explain everything in detail, you can get a head start by understanding some basic estate planning terminology before you meet with your attorney. In this discussion, East Valley estate planning… Read More

Questions about taxes on estates are common during the estate planning process and during probate administration of an estate. While the State of Arizona does not impose an inheritance tax or an estate tax, an Arizona estate and the beneficiaries or heirs of an estate may still owe taxes in some circumstances. The complexity of an estate, as well a… Read More

The personal representative of an Arizona estate is the individual with responsibility for probate administration of a deceased person’s estate. State law imposes substantial fiduciary duties on a personal representative. This article explains why understanding those duties is important, as well as what the responsibilities entail. Importance of… Read More