A colleague of mine recently told me that having a strong estate plan is like insuring your family. I thought that was a great analogy. Most of us spend thousands of dollars a year on insurance: car insurance, house insurance, health insurance, and lif
Myth #26- Common Law Marriages are Legal
I want to debunk a myth I hear all the time: Arizona recognizes common law marriage. A lot of people think that, but Arizona does not recognize common law marriage. What does it mean if you live together for 10, 15 or even 20 years if you are not legal
What is Your Family History?
My husband and I recently flew home from a vacation in Kauai, Hawaii. We engaged in a meaningful conversation with a couple standing in line behind us. I do not know their names, but the husband had an Uncle named Murry. Why do I remember this? Uncle
Two Documents You Need If You Have Minors
Becky Cholewka: I wanted to share the importance of two documents that you need to really consider making if you haven't already done so. This is if you have minor children. The first document is a will. That's because a will in Arizona is the only pl
Luck Has Nothing to Do With It
My husband's family is Irish and I often feel luckier in March because of it. I feel in my bones that their Irish luck will rub off on me and I will somehow find my pot-of-gold. Or maybe just win a Final Four pool. Either way, those leprechauns got me thi
Will your child become Little Orphan Annie?
Be Prepared! Although I was never a Boy Scout, their motto rings true for all of us. I remember my early days of being a first-time mom and the effort and skill it took to pack the diaper bag. I never knew what to expect so I planned for every contingency
Even With the Best Planning – Families Disagree
We have families in our office all of the time who are worried about will or trust contests after their death. Our answer, although harsh but is the truth, there is no way to keep someone from contesting your will or trust. The best we can do is to make i
Be Careful About Estate Plans After Divorce
If you are newly divorced, you've likely got a lot on your mind. But don't forget to update the financial arrangements that take effect upon your death. View image | gettyimages.com If you don't, some assets could end up going to your former spous
