Large Personal Injury Settlements

As many of you know, we handle important personal injury cases that frequently have large settlements for the clients. Being an estate planning and estate administration firm helps those that receive these settlements in several ways. Let me briefly touch on a few matters faced by these clients upon receipt… Read More

Asset Protection Laws In Arizona

The need for asset protection planning arises when you have to achieve your goals and protect your family wealth and assets from the claims of creditors. The tools used for asset protection planning may be used alone or paired with some other tools and strategies in order to achieve the… Read More

Will My Heirs Have Hurt Feelings Over My Personal Items? Short Answer: Probably

“The biggest estate-planning mistake is that people think it’s only about the money,” said Marlene Stum, a professor at the University of Minnesota and author of the “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?” workbook and website. “When it comes to their personal possessions, they say, ‘It’s just stuff.’ ” In my… Read More

“Only Older People Need Estate Plans”

Français: Enterrement à (Photo credit: Wikipedia) It isn’t a surprise to anyone that those typically motivated to do estate planning are those that have their mortality staring back at them. Examples include clients preparing for travel, life-challenging illnesses or individuals in advancing years. I don’t need to remind anyone that… Read More

Estate Planning Mistaken Belief #2

IF I HAVE A WILL, MY FAMILY WILL AVOID PROBATE I am unsure how this mistaken belief ever came about since a Will is almost synonymous with probate. By way of background, using a Will as your primary estate planning document, your estate may be probated. Without a Will, your estate… Read More

Estate Planning Misunderstandings #1

Estate Planning Misunderstanding #1 Estate planning is only for the old. (This is the first in a series of estate planning misunderstandings.) The fact is, if you are an adult, you already have an estate plan. We all do. It was drafted on our behalf by the legislatures of the state… Read More

Question: Does Having a Will Mean You Avoid Probate?

Question: Does Having a Will Mean You Avoid Probate? Answer: No, almost by definition, a Last Will & Testament implies that a probate will be needed to administer the estate. The best way to avoid probate is using a revocable trust. Another way to avoid probate, but sometimes causing more… Read More