In Arizona special needs plans, a letter of intent is a written document that communicates a parent’s or guardian’s intentions and important information regarding the care of an individual with disabilities. It has no legal weight, but it helps direct future caregivers or legal teams by communicating daily needs, medical requirements, preferences, and long-term [...]
They usually stem from: 1) not establishing the appropriate legal tools, 2) missing critical government benefit rules, and 3)not keeping plans current. Trusts are skipped, or the wrong trust type is picked, which can put a child’s public aid at risk. Forgetting to name the right guardians or not telling family about the plan [...]
Selecting a trustee for a special needs trust in Arizona requires someone responsible, financially savvy, and well-versed in the guidelines of the trust. It can be a family member, a trusted friend, a professional fiduciary, or even a bank with trust services. The right decision depends on the needs of the person with disabilities, [...]
Special needs trusts work to protect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid eligibility in Arizona by setting up a legal way for funds to help a person with disabilities without raising countable assets above state limits. Under Arizona law, funds in these trusts do not count toward SSI or Medicaid’s asset limit, so the [...]
Most families utilize a life insurance policy to ensure their special loved one is provided for after they’re gone. A trust established in Arizona can own the life insurance or be the beneficiary. This way, the proceeds go directly to the trust. The proceeds then assist with covering care, therapy, and daily needs without [...]
There are two primary types of special needs trusts: first-party and third-party, which are designed to assist individuals with disabilities in preserving public benefits when there is additional money available. First-party SNTs utilize the beneficiary’s own assets, typically from a settlement or inheritance. Third-party special needs trusts hold money from somebody else, such as [...]
A special needs trust in Arizona is a legal instrument that allows people with disabilities to maintain their public benefits while maintaining additional wealth. The trust allows a third party, administrator, or trustee to hold and manage funds or property for the beneficiary with special needs. Because funds in the trust do not count [...]
Special needs planning in Arizona is about laying the groundwork for individuals with disabilities to navigate finances, care, and daily life with dignity and security. Families often rely on trusts, benefits planning, and knowledgeable legal guidance to protect assets while ensuring their loved one continues receiving essential government assistance. Arizona’s laws governing special needs [...]
Key Takeaways You should inventory all your digital assets—online accounts, digital currencies, social media, cloud storage, etc.—to incorporate them into your estate plan. Arizona’s Digital Assets Act dictates how fiduciaries can access and control your digital assets, so your will needs to be consistent with its standards for legal form and privacy. Give your [...]
Key Takeaways So yes, you can create a legally valid will in Arizona without an attorney, but you do need to follow the state’s requirements for writing, signing, and witnessing. Your will must be in writing and signed by you, in the presence of at least two non-beneficiary adult witnesses, to minimize the risk [...]