Estate planning is often associated with retirement, aging, or leaving an inheritance to children and grandchildren. Because of that association, younger adults may assume they can address estate planning later in life, after they have accumulated more wealth or reached retirement age. If you are healthy, have relatively few assets, or are just beginning [...]
Creating a will is one of the most important steps a person can take when planning for the future. A properly prepared will allows you to identify who should receive certain property after your death, nominate a personal representative to administer your estate, and express your wishes regarding the distribution of assets. For many [...]
Estate planning is often associated with wealthy individuals who own multiple properties, businesses, investment accounts, or other significant assets. This perception can make middle-class Arizona families believe that estate planning is unnecessary for them. However, estate planning is not simply about deciding what happens to substantial wealth after someone dies. It is also about [...]
If you’re in a blended family, estate planning is rarely simple—and in Arizona, it can become even more sensitive when stepchildren, new spouses, and biological children all have different expectations. Without a clear, updated plan, your assets may not pass the way you intend, and conflicts can surface at the worst possible time. In [...]
The most common probate disputes in Arizona involve disagreements over wills, claims of undue influence, questions about mental capacity, and disputes between heirs regarding property or money. You typically find trouble when a loved one's desires are ambiguous, or when relatives believe they have been excluded or mistreated. Paperwork mistakes, missing signatures, or out-of-date [...]
If you’re named in a will in Arizona, you deserve to understand your position and what actions might come next. The law provides you with an opportunity to be informed about the estate, obtain a copy of the will, and inquire. You might have to wait for the probate court to contact you or [...]
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 [...]
Key Takeaways You can legally revoke your will in Arizona by creating a new will, performing a revocatory act like destroying the original document, or through certain life events that trigger revocation by operation of law. If you intend to revoke a will, be sure you do it in a way that’s unambiguous and [...]
Key Takeaways You should update your will after major life events such as marriage, divorce, or the addition of new family members to ensure your intentions remain clear and current. Review your finances–asset values, new assets, etc.–so that your will reflects your current situation and your current wishes. Be aware of Arizona legal requirements [...]