Deciding on someone to hold power of attorney is an important step of estate planning. However, you do need to make sure that person fits the role. Not everyone is a good fit for the position. Some people may not live close enough to you. Others may not have time to...
Family Law And Estate Lawyers Serving You
Why does probate take so long?
If you expect the probate process with an estate to go quickly, you need to readjust your expectations -- now. Most estates pass rather slowly through probate, despite the best intentions of everyone involved. Naturally, if there’s a dispute among the heirs, the whole...
Do family members have to pay a deceased relative’s debts?
Many debt collectors in Arizona would have you believe that you must pay your loved one's debts after they pass away. In fact, family members aren't obligated to pay mortgages, student loans, credit card debts or any other form of debt. However, there are some...
Protecting your children when estate planning
If you plan on leaving assets to your children, you need to protect your estate to ensure that it serves its intended purpose after you pass away. A professional may advise you to distribute your wealth to your children when they attain the right age. However, there...
Do you have any personal risk as an executor of an estate?
There can be a lot of work involved in handling someone's estate. There are often months of hard work required that can range from settling accounts to cleaning out a house. You may have to go to probate court several times and wait months before you can sell or...
Why should you revise your will after you get divorced?
When you finalize your divorce in Arizona, your former spouse is effectively written out of your will. Even if you die before revising your estate plans, the state will ignore any mentions of your former spouse in your will. However, you should still update your...
What to do if you’re left out of a will
If you believe that you're entitled to a portion of a deceased person's estate, it may be possible to contest the terms of that individual's will. However, there is no guarantee that an Arizona judge will agree to hear your objections or that a legal challenge will...
Estate plans are about the family as well as the individual
Everyone in Arizona needs an estate plan of some type even if it is just a simple last will and testament. Those who die intestate, or without a will, run the risk of state intervention and potential claims from creditors or other outliers. Chief among these entities...
How an attorney may help in estate planning
Some people in Arizona who are considering creating an estate plan might wonder whether they need to consult an attorney if they can download the documents online. However, there is more value to working with a professional on an estate plan than simply having the...
Why people should update their wills after they get remarried
When people in Arizona get remarried later in life, they should take certain precautions to make sure their spouse is taken care of in the case of death or incapacitation. Here's the steps that remarried individuals should take to ensure a fair distribution of their...