Blog Posts: Estate Planning

In Arizona, spring is when the sun shines brightly, and the temperatures are perfect for enjoying outdoor activities. As much as we love the spring warmth, it is important to remember that with all that sunshine comes the need to protect your skin. Sunscreen shields and protects you from harmful UV rays, just as an estate plan protects your loved ones and assets. B...

When it comes to estate planning, ensuring your assets are well-protected should be a top priority. Insurance is a crucial component that many overlook, but it can be the key to securing your legacy. Here’s why sufficient insurance matters:Protects Your Wealth: Adequate insurance coverage shields your assets from unexpected events like accidents, lawsuits, ...

Blending families often introduce unique dynamics.  In addition to the day-to-day challenges and opportunities that blended families create, there is also careful planning to consider when creating or updating an estate plan.  There are five key factors to keep in mind when creating an estate plan for a mixed family.Clarify Beneficiaries: In a blended family...

A component of creating a trust, is naming trustees for the trust.  They are given powers which include managing the trust and its assets.  Trust can have a single trustee or co-trustees named.  Additionally, a successor trustee is usually named.  While the thought of having co-trustees may seem the fair and correct choice, there are important points to conside...

Divorce is an emotional and complex process, but one important aspect that often gets overlooked is your estate plan. If you don’t update it, your estranged spouse could still inherit your assets or make crucial financial and healthcare decisions on your behalf. In Arizona, unless you specify otherwise, your spouse remains a beneficiary until your divorce is fina...

As we enter 2025, it's important to stay informed about the current federal estate and gift tax laws, including annual exclusion limits and significant changes anticipated by the end of this year. Annual Exclusion Amount The annual exclusion amount for gifts in 2025 allows individuals to give up to $19,000 per recipient without incurring gift tax or needing to fi...

Many people create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, maintain privacy, and ensure smooth estate distribution. However, these benefits only apply if you properly "fund" your trust, meaning you must transfer assets into it. Establishing a trust without funding the trust is like installing a safe but never placing your valuables inside. What Is Funding a Tru...

Taking the step to schedule a meeting with an estate planning attorney can be difficult. Many people procrastinate taking this important first step which can create problems for loved ones who may be unexpectedly left behind.  To help lessen some hesitation, the following five actions will help taking the first step less intimidating. 1.  Find Important Document...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (7/5/2022) – Lauren L. Garner was selected by the Arizona State Bar Probate and Trust Section to receive the ELEANOR ter HORST Distinguished Service Award.  The award recognizes an attorney or judicial officer who has demonstrated superior knowledge of probate and trust law and the willingness to share her knowledge with - and otherwise serve- the...

Many people think that estate planning is just about what happens when someone dies. However, an equally-important part of estate planning is ensuring that you are cared for while you are still alive. If you become incapacitated, even for a short period of time, who will pay your bills or decide where you should live? Who will determine what doctors will care for y...