Arizona Probate FAQ’s
Despite the wide availability information, the Arizona probate process continues to confuse many people. This may be due to there being a great deal of inaccurate information, much of it shared by well-meaning but misinformed family and friends. Probate has become synonymous with expensive and stressful. People don’t like the costs and time associated with […]
Why Having a Will Won’t Keep You Out of Probate
Becky Cholewka: We get a lot of myths around here. One of the myths we like to debunk is, I hear people tell me all the time, “I want to make sure I have a will because I want to avoid the probate process when I die.” Guess what? A will merely is instructions to […]
What is Probate
Probate is a court-managed process where your assets are managed, potentially liquidated, and distributed. The time it takes to settle this issue depends on the size and complexity of the estate along with other factors. The probate process can be costly, stressful, and time consuming. If you need assistance with a yours or your loved […]
Let’s Play Ball!
Springtime always reminds me of baseball. The local ball field was about a half-mile from my house where I grew up. Every Saturday morning in the spring and early summer I woke up to the sounds of the announcer over the PA system. I love baseball. I love the sights and the sounds of the […]
Advance Medical Directive
As with any other estate-planning document, advance medical directive guidelines vary by state. Having an advance medical directive is an especially important component of elder law, where it is vital you have a clear, legally binding plan in place that provides for your medical wishes. With an average life expectancy approaching 80 years, Arizonans are […]
5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t DIY Probate in Arizona
Arizona is one of 18 states that have adopted the Uniform Probate Code (UPC), meaning that probate could be a rather quick and informal process. Unfortunately, the settling of a will often comes with at least one bump in the road, whether it is a relative contesting what is in the will or an unexpected […]
Where There is a Will, There is a Way
One of the most common myths about estate planning is “I have a will so my assets won’t go through probate.” Wrong! A probate is determined by the types of assets a decedent has and how they are titled, regardless of whether the decedent has a will. Last Will and Testament If you have a […]
Estate Planning Can Save A Bundle
The expense of dying as well as the time leading up to it can be very costly. View image | gettyimages.com Preplanning for your death and the time leading up to it can save you thousands, says story on uppermichigansource.com. The initial step is to speak to an elder law attorney, the article says. Such […]
The ABC’s of RLT’s
A Revocable Living Trust (RLT) is an estate planning tool that A) distributes assets outside of probate, B) provides for incapacity planning for the trustmaker, and C) provides asset protection for beneficiaries. A RLT is created by a trustmaker (also called grantor). The trustmaker chooses a trustee and successor trustees to manage and distribute property […]
What You Should Know About A Living Trust
When passing on your estate to your heirs, a will or other estate planning tools can be used. A revocable living trust is one of best choices. A story on aarp.org says the revocable living trust is becoming very popular, particularly among baby boomers. This kind of a trust is a way to avoid probate […]