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Blog Posts: Estate Planning

October 1, 2024
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...
July 5, 2022
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...
June 15, 2021
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...
April 26, 2021
Whether I’m working on a business transaction or assisting business owners with their estate planning, I always look at how the ownership of the LLC is structured. While many business owners have set up a revocable living trust in order to direct how their assets are managed and to avoid probate, it is common to find that their LLC interests have not been put i...
March 29, 2021
Adding an adult child as a joint owner of a parent’s bank account seems like a simple and straightforward solution that allows the child to help care for mom or dad without the expense or hassle of preparing powers of attorney or other legal documents. Naming a child as a joint owner also allows the account to avoid probate at the death of the parent. However, th...
March 22, 2021
One of the best things about working with someone or a couple on their estate plan is that a primary goal is usually to take care of their children, grandchildren, and other loved ones. I enjoy getting to know the families, hearing their stories, and helping them make sure future generations will be protected and cared for. Because their focus is on others, many c...
August 31, 2020
People generally don't go into business because they are good at running businesses. Many people go into business because they are passionate about something and they want to share that passion with the world. Whether it's food, fashion, music, technology, or something else, business owners are good at what they do. The mundane realities of running a business, howe...
May 7, 2020
If you’re like most people, there is a laundry list of things you’d rather do than think about your estate plan. While it can be a challenging area to discuss, your estate plan is essential to ensure you and your family are protected and cared for, and that your assets are distributed as you wish at your death. While estate planning is not one-size-fits-all, it...
April 16, 2020
Taking the time to complete your health care power of attorney and living will is a great step toward ensuring that your health care wishes will be followed if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. A health care power of attorney names an agent to make health care decisions if you are unable to do so yourself. A living will which is also called an advance ...
April 2, 2020
If you’re like many people, you have not put much thought into who will make your health care decisions if you are unable or what kinds of decisions might need to be made. However, you may find yourself thinking about health care issues more and more. If you or a loved one enters a hospital, one of the first questions you will be asked is if you have a Health...
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