Individual situations and people can change quickly and dramatically. You don’t want to disclude an irresponsible child from their inheritance—you want to protect their financial future so that when they’re ready, they can handle a large amount of money. Let’s go over how to leave an inheritance to an irresponsible child in a way that will be the most beneficial for all.  Funding a living trust and naming a trustee to manage it will take all the pressure off your beneficiaries. You can take all desired assets currently listed in your name, like real estate, cash and bonds, cars, or boats ..read more

A durable power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that gives someone you trust the right to make financial and/or medical decisions on your behalf. It’s a good safeguard to include in your estate plan, just in case a time comes when you are unable to make those decisions on your own.  For instance, if you suffer a stroke and are unable to speak or write, your POA agent will be able to make medical decisions on your behalf. Or, perhaps you were injured in an accident and the doctors had to induce a coma to save your life. In that case, your POA agent would be able to pay your bills for ..read more

Starting conversations about things like inheritance and end-of-life decisions can be very difficult. However, it’s important to discuss these topics with your parents sooner rather than later. The decisions they make now will significantly impact your life in the future. By making sure they have a solid estate plan in place, you can avoid both financial and emotional hardships down the road. Estate Planning Conversations You Need to Have with Your Parents Talking About Your Inheritance Can Help You Avoid Probate and Taxes If your parents die without a will or a trust, their estate will have t ..read more

Being named as successor trustee is a big responsibility that comes with legal and fiduciary duties. It means you’re in charge of managing someone’s trust after they pass away or become incapacitated. While it may seem straightforward at first, there are several dangerous mistakes that successor trustees can make if they’re not careful. In this post, we’ll explore these problems so you can avoid them and administer the trust smoothly.  Six Common Mistakes Made by Successor Trustees 1: Not Taking the Role Seriously One of the biggest mistakes a successor trustee can make is not fully under ..read more

Setting up a trust is often a crucial step in estate planning. Whether they are revocable or irrevocable, trusts are designed to ensure the smooth transfer of assets to their beneficiaries. But what happens when the trust instructions don’t seem to align with the grantor’s wishes? What if your grandfather made an amendment after a dementia diagnosis? What if your elderly aunt always promised you’d get everything, but then it all went to her caretaker without warning? Can the trust be contested? Yes, a Trust Can Be Contested in Arizona Arizona law does allow trusts to be challenged under certai ..read more

As Easter approaches, Arizona comes alive with vibrant celebrations. From egg hunts to spring festivals, the Phoenix Valley offers a diverse range of events to make your Easter weekend memorable and magical. Here are some of the best things to do for Easter in Phoenix this year.  Five Ways to Celebrate Easter in Phoenix 1: Easter Egg Hunts What would Easter be without a hunt for eggs? Searching for colorful eggs is a fun and memorable experience for all ages! Many local parks, community centers, and businesses around Phoenix will be organizing Easter egg hunts that are fun for the whole f ..read more

Have you discussed your medical preferences with your loved ones? It’s important to have those wishes in writing to ensure you get the best possible care just in case you can’t communicate them yourself. However, when it comes to getting their estate planning documents in order, many people confuse DNRs with advance directives.  A DNR is not the same as an advance directive. While both documents are crucial in planning for future healthcare emergencies, they each serve different purposes. In this post, we explain the difference between a DNR and an advance directive to help you make infor ..read more

When it comes to estate planning, millennials are well ahead of the game. Many have been assisting their parents with the estate planning process, and others have even started setting up their own estate plans. It’s never too late or too early to get started—life is uncertain, so before you get any older, here are the four most important steps to take. Four Essential Estate Planning Steps for Millennials Write a will and have it witnessed. Establish a trust to protect your assets or provide for your dependents. Set up a digital vault for your passwords, cloud storage, and other cyber assets ..read more

Spring is a magical time in Phoenix, as the temperatures begin to rise and the desert landscape transforms into a colorful masterpiece. Whether you’re looking for something to do over spring break or you want to set out on a new adventure, there are plenty of exciting activities waiting for you. From exhilarating hot air balloon rides to unique fairs and festivals, here’s a roundup of the fun things to do near Phoenix, Arizona this spring. Five Exciting Spring Activities in Phoenix and Beyond 1: Explore Zoos and Aquariums Around the Valley Phoenix and the surrounding metropolitan area is home ..read more

As a millennial, you’re in the prime of your life. Most millennials are now in their thirties and early forties, and they’re coming into inheritances, buying homes, starting families, and building wealth.  But before you get any older, it’s a good idea to have a solid estate plan in place. Life is uncertain, so you need to plan for the unexpected. If you want your partner to continue to live in your house after you die, or if you want to make sure your children and pets are cared for, you need to have an estate plan set up—just in case. Four Estate Planning Facts About Millennials 1: Mill ..read more