As parents, watching your children grow up and prepare for college is both exciting and bittersweet. It’s a time of great change, not just for your children but also for you as parents. One aspect of this change that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late is the legal shift that occurs when your children…
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Introducing a payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) designation to an account facilitates the transfer of assets (including money and property) in that account to a specified beneficiary upon the passing of the original account holder. Similar to trusts, POD and TOD accounts circumvent probate procedures, offering a swift, uncomplicated, and often cost-free establishment process.…
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Being self-employed presents significant challenges. As both the proprietor and, sometimes, sole worker, you enjoy greater autonomy but bear immense responsibilities. Collaboratively, we can devise a thorough estate strategy to assist you in tackling three critical concerns you might encounter. Securing Your Financial Future As the sole proprietor of your own business, you bear…
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Losing a loved one presents challenges on various fronts. Alongside the emotional turmoil of grief, there’s the practical aspect of managing their affairs, including navigating through their accounts and addressing the cancellation or transfer of ownership. Typically, individuals are subscribed to numerous digital services alongside utilities, insurance policies, memberships, medical prescriptions, and other recurring payment…
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*Please see the last section for an important update on the CTA* Beginning January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) mandates certain business owners to file reports detailing ownership information with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This measure aims to combat various illegal activities such as money laundering,…
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Home theft is commonly linked with offenses such as burglary and home invasion, yet homeowners may overlook the risks associated with title theft. Fortunately for Arizona residents, Maricopa County released their own title fraud self-monitoring system – and it’s free. What is Title Fraud? Title fraud, also known as deed fraud or property fraud, occurs…
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Deciding on a comprehensive estate plan involves considering whether to disclose it to loved ones and how much to reveal. This decision hinges on personal relationships and family dynamics. Sharing your plan may risk privacy, especially concerning significant assets. Weighing pros and cons, you can opt to share selectively or provide a general overview to…
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Questions First Responders Must Consider to Best Protect Their Loved Ones Thank you for all that you do for us. We understand that being the first one on the scene can come with many different risks. We are dedicated to protecting you and your loved ones from the different types of emergencies that may…
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Create a Will and Other Estate Planning Documents Everybody should have an estate plan, yet over half of all Americans do not have one. Some people might think that since they are not millionaires that estate planning isn’t something they need. Others may know that they need one but just haven’t gotten around to doing…
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Personal representative’s duties are commonly considered, but often misunderstood. This guide will help you understand what a personal representative does and his or her duties (a personal representative is called an executor in some states). Acting as a personal representative can be a time consuming task. It’s a good idea to review this list before…
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I often get asked “how can I use a revocable living trust to avoid probate?” My answer: by properly funding your Revocable Living Trust. A large part of the probate process is transferring title to assets out of the name of the deceased person and into the name of the new owners (the heirs). You…
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How to Do a Will We are often asked how to create a Will. To start, you should look at your state’s requirements for creating a valid Last Will and Testament (otherwise known as a “Will”). While we always recommend working with an experienced estate planning attorney when you create a Will, here is an…
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