Question: I don’t have a Will but I want my spouse and kids to inherit everything. If my spouse and kids will inherit everything anyway, what’s the point of making a Will? Answer: That’s a good question. In certain circumstances, a person’s spouse and kids will inherit everything. However, that may or may not apply…
Details
Question: What is community property? I am married and live in Arizona. Does this affect me? Answer: Married individuals living in community property states own property their property as either community property or separate property. Community property is all property acquired during marriage, except property acquired by gift or inheritance, or property acquired after the…
Details
What is a Homestead? Generally, a homestead is a dwelling including the land and buildings on the land that is occupied by the owner. What is a Homestead Exemption? A homestead exemption is a law that states that a person’s homestead is exempted from seizure or sale for a debt in certain situations. This means…
Details
Life insurance is one of those financial products that can give people the heebie-jeebies. It can sound confusing and complicated, and it involves thinking about a very scary proposition: death. But life insurance really isn’t as frightening or complex as it seems. It’s actually a fantastically useful and flexible estate-planning tool that can provide income-tax-free…
Details
Steps of a probate – we’re here to help you understand! Probate can sound like a confusing topic – especially when we’re using terms like “intestate” or issuing “Letters” that aren’t really letters at all. In order to take some of the guesswork out of probate, here is a list of steps taken in a…
Details
By Abigail Neal, Arizona Wills Lawyer Question: Is a handwritten Will valid? Answer: Possibly. Under Arizona law, some Wills may be valid if they are handwritten. See A.R.S. § 14-2503. A handwritten Will is also called a “holographic” Will. A holographic Will is valid under the following circumstances: 1. The material provisions must be in…
Details
Estate planning is a complicated area of law. As a result, there are many myths about the law that can be harmful to you and your loved ones. Here are some common estate planning myths and facts: Myth: Probate is not required if I have a Will and my assets can be transferred immediately under…
Details