Blast from the Past Meets my Future
I was very athletic growing up and loved running track. I even got a track scholarship in college. I ran sprints: 100 meters, 100 meter hurdles, 200 meters, and the 4×100 relay. My absolute favorite was the 200 meters. I was great running the turns. Except on days when the Cottonwood trees were blooming. I […]
Are My Estate Planning Documents from Another State Valid in Arizona
Becky Cholewka: One of my questions that I get most when I go out and do public speaking is, “Becky, I’ve moved from another state, and is my document from that state going to be valid here?” When we’re talking about legal documents, your document can be a valid legal document if it was executed […]
47 Years, 4 Days
On February 23rd this year I will be celebrating my 47th Birthday. I’ve been dreading this one for a while. Not dread really, but anxious about the overwhelming emotions I know I will experience. Four days after my birthday, I will have lived as long as my dad. Breathe. I have thought of this day […]
Resolve to make a Resolute Resolution!
Many of us make New Year’s Resolutions at the beginning of each year. Some we stick to, some we don’t. Some last a few days, others may take several months for us to complete. To resolve to do something is to make up one’s mind or decide firmly. Resolute is being determined, steadfast, unwavering, purposeful. […]
Putting Your Funeral Wishes in Writing
Becky Cholewka: One of the things that estate planning can do is also help plan for your funeral. In a will, or trust, or power of attorney, we can put in your wishes as far as whether you’d like to buried or cremated. You could also have additional documents that are not legal documents. They’re just […]
What Happens When a Loved One Dies Without an Estate Plan in Place?
There is one question I often hear after a parent died without any estate planning documents in place. It is: “What now?” The answer to this question varies according to the types of assets the decedent had. In this post, we look at the different types of assets and who gets what when there is […]
Complexities of Estate Planning When You Have Blended Families
Becky Cholewka: Some of the most complex planning we do is for blended families. Blended families is what I call the Brady Bunch. They’re children from a different relationship, whether both husband and wife have children from another relationship or just one of them do. The reason why this type of complaining is so complex […]
3 Biggest Misconceptions About Estate Planning
Becky Cholewka: Today, I want to go over the three biggest misconceptions about estate planning. Misconception number one, estate planning is only for rich people. That is not true. Everyone has an estate. More importantly, most people have friends or family that they love and they want to ensure that they are taken care of, […]
How Often Should You Review Your Estate Documents
Becky Cholewka: One of my most frequently asked questions is, how often do I actually need to review my documents? I always tell people a couple of different things. Number one. There’s something that you should do each year to your estate planning documents. Pull out your binder, your folder, or wherever you keep them, […]
Why Estate Planning is Vital for Unmarried Couples
Becky Cholewka: Some of the saddest phone calls I have are when I am talking to someone and their partner has recently passed away, and they’re not married. We have a common law marriage. Unfortunately, in Arizona, there is no such thing. In fact, no states do not have or own a common law marriage. […]