The difference between simple and typical documents
Becky Cholewka: One of the things I hear all the time, probably about 3-4 times a week in my office is “Becky, you know what, I’m simple. I just need simple documents.” What I really think people are trying to tell me is that they are “typical”. Maybe they have a checking account, and a […]
A Few Words On Choosing a Successor Trustee
Becky Cholewka: If you choose to have a trust, one of the most important decisions that you are going to make is who is going to act for you as your successor trustee. They are the ones that are not only going to be able to manage and control and invest the monies that you […]
Why Choose An Estate Planning Attorney That Does Trust Funding
Becky Cholewka: One of the differences between using other law firms and coming here to Cholewka Law is that when we have clients who choose to do a trust‑based plan, we automatically include trust funding in that plan. When describing trust funding, I always like to give the analogy of a swimming pool. The first […]
About Those New Years Resolutions…
Becky Cholewka: Hello, Becky Cholewka at Cholewka Law again. I’m going to test you a little bit. I want you to think about what your New Year’s resolutions were last year, because this is what I’ve heard very often in the last couple months. “Oh you know what? I really wanted to start protecting my […]
The Truth About Trusts and Asset Protection
Becky Cholewka: There is another myth I want to share with everyone that I hear all the time in my office. I get people in here that say, “You know what Becky, I really want to have a revocable trust, because if I get in a car accident and get sued, I don’t want them […]
Who Gets Prince’s Little Red Corvette?
Oh Prince… can you please explain to me why you didn’t ever create your will? A man worth approximately $300 million, you should have at least given some thought to whom you wanted your money to go to. Did you want some go to charity? Or did you want it to be split amongst your […]
Probate in Arizona: Everything You Need to Know
A lot of angst seems to surround the word “probate,” due mainly to general unfamiliarity with its meaning. Simply put, probate is the legal process that takes place upon a person’s death, much of which is avoided if the decedent took proper steps during his or her estate planning. This process involves: Proving the validity […]
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 […]
Funding Your Trust
Do you have an “empty” Trust? A Revocable Living Trust is the single most effective estate and disability planning tool. About 20% of Americans have invested in creating this valuable planning document and yet many of those do not follow through with the next important step and “fund” their trust. A trust is like an […]