When planning your estate, people often focus on major assets like retirement accounts, bank accounts, life insurance, real estate, and other valuable items. However, personal possessions also hold significant value and need to be addressed. As you begin or continue your estate planning journey, consider these questions about your personal property. Assessing the Value…
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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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The passing of a loved one is never easy, especially when it comes to addressing the more technical side of things. We hope that we can make the process easier for you. How your accounts are owned makes a big difference in estate planning. The main objective is usually to ensure that no accounts and…
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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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What Is a Probate?* Probate is a superior court action that is filed when someone passes away. Although the probate court has other jurisdiction (for example, to handle guardianships and conservatorships), when most people think of probate think they think of the process of transferring assets out of the name of the deceased person and…
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We are often asked whether a Will or a Trust is most appropriate for a client’s particular situation. Our answer? It depends on how the client wants their assets passed to their beneficiaries, if they want to avoid probate, the value of their assets, and their desire to create a plan based on their wishes…
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An Arizona beneficiary deed: what is it and how do I acquire one? A Beneficiary Deed is an easy and inexpensive way to transfer title of real property. Since a person’s real property is usually one of their largest assets, it makes sense to ensure that it goes to the right person or place at…
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We are Arizona probate lawyers here to help you get you through this difficult time. We provide the following services for our clients: Terminate Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship Abigail will prepare the Affidavit Evidencing Termination of Joint Tenancy and file it with the county recorder. Learn more about terminating joint tenancy with right…
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What Happens if I Die Without a Will? Most people own some form of property when they die. Whether it is real property (real estate), personal property (jewelry, furniture, art, collectibles, etc.), securities or any other form of property, the property owned by the deceased must go to someone else. But what happens if they…
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You have recently divorced your spouse and the judge has signed the divorce decree. Now what? Although you may feel as though you have spent enough time and money on lawyers, there is one last attorney you need to talk to: an estate planning attorney. Estate planning after divorce is critical to ensure your wishes…
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