Most Arizona families ask the same first question: how long will this take? In a straightforward, uncontested Arizona probate, the realistic answer is usually at least six to twelve months from the day the application is filed until the estate is ready to close. One of the biggest drivers of that timeline is Arizona law,…
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Many Arizona families want to spare their loved ones from going to court and avoid the time, cost and public nature of probate. The good news is that Arizona gives you several practical tools. 1. Funded Revocable Living Trust (Most Comprehensive) A revocable living trust avoids probate for assets that are properly titled in the…
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If you share your life with a dog, cat, bird, horse or other animal, you’ve probably thought about who would take care of them if you could not. While many people think about it, fewer people actually put that plan in writing. In Arizona, pets are legally personal property. That means they cannot inherit money…
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The Going Off to College Plan: Why Most Families Should Consider Powers of Attorney Before Their Child Turns 18 As a parent, you’ve been the go-to person for every doctor appointment, school matter, and unexpected situation for 18 years. Then your child turns 18 and heads off to college sometimes clear across the country and…
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March 2025 – Major Regulatory Shift In a landmark regulatory update, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued an interim final rule that removes the requirement for U.S. companies and U.S. persons to report beneficial ownership information (BOI). This decision follows the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s March 2, 2025, announcement and marks a…
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Here’s How Gene Hackman’s Children Could Still Claim His $80M Legacy Despite Being Omitted from His Will Reports emerged recently revealing that Gene Hackman, the celebrated Oscar recipient, had excluded his three estranged children from his will before his passing. Now, various legal specialists are now outlining ways these children might still secure a share…
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Small businesses are not currently required to file ownership reports under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing the government to enforce the law. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) clarified that a separate court order is still blocking enforcement of the rule. The CTA, an anti-money laundering law,…
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Many people believe that if their estate isn’t subject to taxes, they don’t need an estate plan. However, this misconception overlooks the many advantages of planning your estate. Although minimizing taxes is a common motivation, an estate plan does far more. It empowers you to maintain control of your assets, protect your privacy, and ensure…
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Congratulations on your new home! Whether it’s your first purchase or a move to better suit your needs, owning a home is a major milestone. With this exciting life change comes important responsibilities to prepare for the future. Here are three essential steps to take now that you’ve got the keys. 1. Update Your Address…
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After a home, a car is often the second most valuable asset a person owns. Leasing is quite common, considering about 15–20% of new vehicles are leased rather than purchased outright. Leasing is an alternative because it often allows the lessee (the person leasing the vehicle) to drive a more expensive car for a lower…
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Nearly two-thirds of Americans pass without a will, a situation known as passing intestate. While the reasons for not having a will vary, the outcome is the same: you lose the ability to decide who will inherit your property. Assets are instead distributed according to state intestacy law, a legal process called intestate succession. This…
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Many married couples share nearly everything, including their finances, which is often reflected in their estate plan through a joint living trust rather than two separate ones. While separate trusts offer more flexibility, a joint trust can be structured so that, upon one spouse’s passing, the trust splits into two subtrusts: a survivor’s trust and…
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