Thank you for visiting neallawaz.com to learn some basics about wills and probate. First, let’s define both wills and probate: A will is a document which states who should inherit a person’s property after passing, who should administer their estate during a probate matter (the “personal representative”), and who should serve as the guardian for…
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Question: What is a Living Will? Answer: a Living Will is a healthcare document that specifies your wishes in an end-of-life situation. Not to be confused with a Last Will and Testament which disposes of a person’s property after passing, a Living Will tells a person’s loved ones and medical professionals their wishes regarding medical…
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We are often asked by our clients: what is probate? Probate is the legal process by which a will is proved valid or invalid and the estate of a decedent is administered. In Arizona, the probate court has special jurisdiction over probate and estate matters. The Probate Court also handles matters involving guardianship, conservatorship, elder…
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While everyone, including myself, has caught Royal Baby Fever-itis just in time for the second Royal Baby, estate planner all over the United States are buzzing about the latest news regarding the reveal of Princess Diana’s will. 18 years after the young Princess’s untimely death, for the first time, her will has been revealed. Of…
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When a loved one passes a person may find out that they were named as the deceased individual’s Personal Representative. What does that mean? It mean the person was nominated by the deceased to administer his or her estate after passing. A Personal Representative (called an Executor in other states) has the following duties: Duties…
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I am 25, single, no kids, just finished law school—meaning I have little to zero assets of my own, and recently began working for Neal Law Firm. With all of this in mind, it would seem pointless to have an estate plan, right? Wrong. The absolute best scenario—and one that I pray for—is that I…
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Unlike some other celebrities, Robin Williams created a detailed estate plan so that his children and second wife, Susan Schneider Williams would avoid any bitter family disputes that tend to plague blended families. Sadly, the widow and adult children of Robin Williams will be battling in a San Francisco court over his estate. Susan Schneider…
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Dean Smith–University of North Carolina Basketball Coach for 34 Years—-Leaves $200 To Every Player He Coached The Trustee of the Dean E. Smith Revocable Trust sent out a letter to each per Dean Smith’s instructions left in his will. In the letter, the trustee spelled out Coach Dean Smith’s wishes per the will and the…
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Should I put my investment property into an LLC? Yes! An investment property is real estate that is not your primary residence and is purchased or used in order to generate income by appreciation, leasing, taking advantage of tax benefits or other uses. As corporate vehicles go, the LLC (limited liability company) protects its owner-members’…
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When planning for loved ones, don’t forget to include your furry friends. As our love for our pets reaches new heights, estate planning for pets has become popular. If an owner wants to ensure his or her best buddy is well cared for after he or she passes, it is essential to do some estate…
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Upon the death of a loved one, families face the burdensome task of distributing the property and debts of the deceased. That process—sadly—has the potential to strain familial relationships. With this in mind, Neal Law Firm provides estate planning, including the creation of wills and trusts, in order for individuals to plan ahead and potentially…
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Question: How is an Arizona Beneficiary Deed different from any other Arizona deed? Answer: When most people think of a deed, they think of the typical Warranty Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds or Quit Claim Deeds. As soon as a person signs and records one of these types of deeds (the “grantor”), the legal title of…
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