Deborah & Thomas Did Just About Everything Together During Their 42-Year Marriage They ran a successful real estate agency, purchased homes together, and furnished those homes, and bought or leased numerous automobiles. When Deborah passed away last year, Thomas had the job of settling her estate. First, he looked at their joint debts – mortgages,…
Arizona’s Probate System A state court system devotes time and energy into handling cases for its citizens. That includes probate cases. For example, Arizona’s probate system provides systems and forms for people to settle their estates. While the term “probate’ typically refers only to the administration of a Will, probate courts also handle other matters…
Estate Planning Is Important, No Matter Your Station In Life Only about 44% of Americans have signed a Will, the most fundamental and well-known estate planning document. Without a Will, your assets may not go where you want them. Settling your estate may take longer, also, since there’s nothing in writing showing what you want.…
Simple Estate Planning From A Distance Executors take on a lot of responsibility. Gathering assets, notifying heirs, and reviewing claims against the estate take time. It’s that much more difficult when the executor lives out of state and has to settle an estate from a distance. Difficult, but not impossible. Are You Qualified? If you’re…
Judge Wapner of the television show The People’s Court often told people, “Get it in writing.” That idea – get it in writing – is so true in many situations, even when dealing with someone you love and trust. Estate planning has its fair share of horror stories where vague promises lead to a prolonged…
Managing the probate process for an estate can be complicated, and even more so when the decedent lives in one state and owns property in another. If a member of your family dies while owning property in multiple states, an Arizona ancillary probate may be necessary. Arizona Probate & Ancillary Probate Explained Many people use…
After Someone Dies Their Estate Lives On – At Least Until The Probate Process Has Been Completed We’ve all heard about cases that drag on for years while heirs fight about who gets what, all the while depleting the funds they hoped to inherit. Or about people who find out their loved one’s estate was…
When someone dies, what happens to their stuff? Financial accounts or insurance proceeds, may pass to beneficiaries right away. Other assets will be distributed after a probate proceeding, which can take one to three years. What if some assets need attention after the person’s death and before the estate is settled? Who will care for…
Wouldn’t it be great if your family didn’t have to go to court to settle your estate? It’s possible to legally avoid putting your estate through probate or at least simplify the process. It Just Takes A Little Planning On Your Part & Some Help From A Qualified AZ Estate Planning Lawyer To Avoid Probate…
What Is A Legal Conservator? A conservator is a person who has been appointed by the courts in Arizona to conserve the assets of another person. A person who has become unable–either permanently or temporarily–to make his or her own financial decisions may have a conservator named to help them pay bills, manage finances and…