In estate planning, the two main tools we use are wills and trusts. One of the reasons why it is best to have your will prepared by competent counsel instead of using a form or online document service, is to prevent a will contest. Exactly what is a will contest, you ask? Good question. Contesting [...]
It cannot be denied that technology pervades our lives. In this era of modern technology, we are more connected than ever to each other—on a global scale — through our smartphones, and the internet. We live much of our lives online: networking with professional contacts, staying in touch with friends on social media, paying our [...]
Let’s say you understand how important it is to have an estate plan, and you made your New Year’s resolution to get one put in place. That’s wonderful! Now, what steps can you take to make sure that your estate plan will be successful? Here are three tips that may help you. Hire [...]
One of the saddest and most controversial cases touching upon the area of estates and trusts is the right-to-die case of Theresa Marie (“Terri”) Schiavo. The Terri Schiavo Right-to-Die Case As you may know, on February 25, 1990, Terri Schiavo, who lived in Florida with her husband, Michael, suffered a heart attack. Terri had never [...]
You may have heard of a Power of Attorney, but you may not really know what it is or why it is such a valuable estate planning tool. So let’s look at the power behind a Power of Attorney. What is a Power of Attorney? A power of attorney is a legal document that gives [...]
Maybe you can install your own adobe tile floors, make your own Mata Ortiz pots, teach yourself a foreign language, and improve your golf game on your own. But when it comes to preparing your estate planning documents, this is no do-it-yourself project. Save Yourself Money and Headaches: Hire Competent Estate Planning Counsel. The problem [...]
We’ve all heard the saying, “you get what you pay for.” That is so true when it comes to estate planning documents. More Than Just Forms. Estate planning requires a lot more than just filling out a form. Don’t get us wrong, the forms are important, but putting together a comprehensive plan requires careful thought, [...]
A lot of people think that estate planning is only for the wealthy. This just not the case. No matter what size estate you have, it is important that you have an estate plan for during and after your life. In fact, while the wealthy may have more property to protect, estate planning can be [...]
Here in beautiful Sedona, we have stunning sunsets, plenty of heat, gorgeous Red Rocks and amazing views. But in the land of estate planning, we’ve got wills and trusts. A will, as you know, is a legal document (“last will and testament”) that states your final wishes and gives instructions about how to divide up [...]
Ever wonder what documents you need to make an estate plan? While there are many different types of legal documents that can help you plan how your affairs will be handled in the future, there are 5 basic documents that any estate plan should include. At a minimum, every estate plan should include: 1. A [...]
