How to Avoid Probate in Arizona
Probate doesn't have to be inevitable. Learn how Arizona families can reduce or avoid probate through revocable living trusts, beneficiary designations, and other effective estate planning strategies.
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Estate PlanningArticles and practical guidance.
Read Arsenal Law articles on estate planning for Arizona families.
55 articles
Estate Planning
Do I Need a Trust If I Own a Home in Arizona?
Owning a home is one of the biggest reasons many Arizona families consider creating a revocable living trust. Learn how trusts work, when they make sense, and how they can help simplify the transfer of your home.
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What to Do After a Car Accident in Arizona (Step-by-Step Guide)
Not sure what to do after a car accident in Arizona? This step-by-step guide explains how to protect your health, gather evidence, deal with insurance companies, and preserve your legal rights.
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Common Estate Planning Mistakes Arizona Families Make
Many Arizona families unknowingly make estate planning mistakes that can create unnecessary stress, expense, and conflict. Learn the ten most common mistakes and how proper planning can help protect your loved ones.
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New Year's Resolutions: Updating Your Estate Plan in 2026
As Arizonans welcome 2026, many are focusing on New Year's resolutions like improving health, finances, or spending more time with family. One of the most meaningful—and often overlooked—resolutions is reviewing and updating your estate plan. Life evolves quickly: new grandchildren, home purchases, business growth, divorces, or health changes can render an old plan outdated, potentially […]
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Why Every Arizona Retiree Should Have a Revocable Living Trust
Retirement is the perfect time to enjoy the rewards of your hard work — traveling, spending time with family, and living life on your terms. But it’s also the time to make sure your affairs are in order, especially if you want to avoid court involvement, protect your legacy, and make things easier for your […]
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Estate Planning for Blended Families in Arizona
Blended families are now more common than ever in Arizona. Whether you’ve remarried, have stepchildren, or share children from previous relationships, your estate plan needs to reflect your unique family structure. Without careful planning, Arizona’s default inheritance laws can lead to confusion, unintended disinheritance, or even family conflict. Here’s how blended families in Arizona can […]
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Estate Planning for Young Families in Arizona: Why You Shouldn’t Wait
When you’re busy raising kids, saving for a home, or juggling careers, estate planning might feel like something you can put off until later. But if you have minor children or dependents, an estate plan is one of the most important protections you can have — even in your 20s, 30s, or early 40s. Here’s […]
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Estate Planning After Divorce in Arizona: What Needs to Change?
Divorce changes everything — including your estate plan. If you’ve recently divorced in Arizona (or are in the process), your estate planning documents may no longer reflect your wishes. Your former spouse may still be listed as a beneficiary, a trustee, or even someone who can make financial or medical decisions on your behalf. Here’s […]
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Estate Planning for Young Families in Arizona: Why You Shouldn’t Wait
If you are a young parent in Arizona, estate planning might feel like something you don’t need to think about yet. After all, you’re healthy, working hard, and focused on raising kids — not worrying about wills and trusts. But here’s the truth: estate planning isn’t just for retirees or the wealthy. It’s one of […]
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How to Protect Minor Children With an Arizona Estate Plan
If you’re a parent in Arizona, estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your children. It’s not just about money — it’s about making sure your kids are cared for by the right people, in the right way, if something happens to you. Here’s how to create an […]
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The 5 Essential Estate Planning Documents Every Arizonan Needs
When people hear “estate planning,” they often think it’s only for the wealthy. But the truth is, every adult in Arizona needs a basic estate plan, no matter their income or family structure. Why? Because it’s not just about what happens after you die — it’s also about who makes decisions for you if you […]
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How to Avoid Probate in Arizona
No one wants their loved ones to spend months in court, file legal forms, or pay attorney fees just to transfer their assets. That’s why many Arizona families ask: How can I avoid probate? The good news is that Arizona offers several legal tools to help you keep your estate out of probate — if […]
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Will vs. Trust in Arizona: Which One Is Right for You?
When it comes to estate planning in Arizona, one of the most common questions is: “Do I need a will or a trust?” The truth is, it depends on your situation. Both tools serve a purpose — and understanding the difference is key to protecting your family, your assets, and your wishes. What Is a […]
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What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Arizona?
If you pass away without a will in Arizona, you don’t just leave behind your belongings — you also leave behind a legal mess for your loved ones to sort out. When someone dies without a valid will, they are said to have died “intestate.” And in Arizona, that means the state decides who inherits […]
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Why a Trust Can Protect Your Children from Debt and Divorce
When parents create an estate plan, one of their primary goals is often to provide financial support and security for their children. But what happens if your children are struggling with debt or are in an unstable marriage? Without proper planning, the inheritance you leave behind could be vulnerable to creditors, lawsuits, or even an […]
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What Went Wrong With Prince’s Estate? A Cautionary Tale in Estate Planning
What Went Wrong With Prince’s Estate? A Cautionary Tale When music icon Prince passed away unexpectedly in 2016, the world mourned the loss of a legend. But behind the headlines, a legal and financial nightmare was unfolding — one that could have been prevented with a single document: a will. Despite a reported estate worth […]
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Updating Estate Planning After a Dementia Diagnosis
Planning early after a dementia diagnosis ensures that your medical and personal wishes are documented, which can ease future stress and maintain control over decisions as the disease progresses.
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How Young Families in Arizona Can Create an Effective Estate Plan
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or the elderly. For young families in Arizona, it’s a powerful tool to protect your children and secure your financial future. Without a proper plan in place, Arizona law—not you—will decide who cares for your children and how your assets are distributed. Here’s how to take control. Key […]
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Arizona Estate Planning Basics: Will vs. Trust — Which One Is Right for You?
If you own a home, have children, or simply want to make life easier for your loved ones, you need an estate plan. One of the most common questions we hear is: “Should I get a Will, a Trust, or both?” In this article, we break down the key differences between a Last Will and […]
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Is Your Estate Plan Ready for a Recession?
From a gift and estate tax planning perspective, economic downturns offer unique leverage, allowing clients to transfer wealth more efficiently, reduce estate tax exposure and position themselves for significant long-term advantage.
Read articleArizona Estate Planning Attorney | Practical Planning. Peace of Mind.
Protect Your Family, Your Future, and Everything You’ve Built. No matter your stage in life, creating a thoughtful estate plan is one of the most important gifts you can give your loved ones. Whether you need a basic will, a living trust, or help navigating probate, we make the process clear, affordable, and personal. Serving […]
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Understanding Your Right to Information After the Death of a Relative
After a relative's death, beneficiaries have rights to information about the estate, including accessing the will and understanding asset distribution. A probate lawyer can guide you through the process, protect your rights and resolve disputes to ensure that the estate is managed fairly and transparently.
Read articleEstate Planning for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: What You Need to Know
Explore legal options like guardianship and grandparent power of attorney to ensure the well-being of grandchildren you're raising.
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Seniors Cannot Be Careful Enough About Internet Scammers
Criminals on the internet are increasingly going after Americans over the age of 60 because they are viewed as having the largest piles of savings.
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Should I Add My Pet to Estate Plan?
When it comes to pets and estates, there are two main rules to understand.
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Do You Need a Will or Trusts or Both?
A traditional will could be the simplest but not necessarily the best way to pass on your legacy.
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Should You Have a Roth or Traditional 401(k)?
The 401(k) was built on a simple idea. Set aside money from each paycheck to save for tomorrow and get a tax break today. Many workers now have another option: Save the tax break for tomorrow, too.
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How to Include Digital Assets in Your Estate Plan
Cryptocurrency has changed the nature of what can be considered an asset, and that’s affected estate planning, too, the process of allocating your assets to your heirs on your death.
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Three More Reasons to Have an Estate Plan
Estate planning not only makes things easier for your loved ones if you become incapacitated or when you’re gone, but it also does these three important things.
Read articleWhat Should I Know About Estate Planning?
To ensure that your desires are respected and executed, you need estate planning.
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When Is Life Insurance Taxable?
While life insurance is typically not taxable, there are some notable exceptions that could play a role and are important to consider regarding any life insurance policy and benefit.
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How to Find Out If a Person has a Will
Estate planning is a crucial aspect of financial management, ensuring that an individual’s assets are distributed according to their wishes after their passing. One key document in estate planning is a “last will and testament,” commonly known as a will.
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Transferring Property to Heirs? Skip Top Five Mistakes
Death is inevitable, but dying without an estate plan is not. Estate planning is a must for property owners, no matter how uncomfortable the subject might make you.
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What Happened when Robin Williams’ Wife was Cut Out of Estate?
The unexpected death of comedy icon Robin Williams in 2014 set off an explosive battle over his $50 million estate.
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When Is a Trust a Good Idea?
Setting up a trust is one way to transfer wealth to a loved one and create financial stability for them.
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Why Can’t Rock Stars Retire?
With his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, Elton John confirmed his latest plans for retirement. The final show of the tour in July 2023 will be his last. However, deja vu suggests this might not be the last we see of Elton.
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What Should I Know About a Living Trust?
A living trust is a legal document which places ownership and control of property into a trust, managed by a trustee for your benefit. Living trusts are often used as part of estate planning and can be helpful in case of incapacity.
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What Happens When There’s No Will?
Dying intestate can have unintended consequences for pretty much every family type. However, it is especially painful if there are unmarried partners or stepchildren, who are left out under the law in almost every scenario.
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What to Do When a Spouse Dies
Unfortunately, during the grieving process surviving spouses also need to navigate the complex financial issues that arise after the death of their partner.
Read articleDo Heirs Have to Pay Debts from an Estate?
When heirs inherit from an estate, they must deal with the debts of the person who died. It is important for an estate plan to take those debts into consideration.
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What Are Estate Taxes?
Studies suggest that millennials will inherit an astounding $68 trillion in the coming years, making them the wealthiest generation in history. While this may be great news for some, it also comes with significant tax implications.
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Why Everyone Needs a Will and an Estate Plan
Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging for the management and disposal of a person's estate during the person's life in preparation for a person's future incapacity or death.
Read articleCan I Keep Stepchildren Out of Estate Plan?
Estate planning is nearly always worthwhile but can be extra important when you have stepchildren.
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Protect Your Elderly Parents from Scammers
Scam artists often target older adults, partly because they have amassed greater wealth.
Read articleProtecting Assets with a Trust vs. Limited Liability Company
To protect assets effectively, you have to store them in the right legal entity. However, that can depend on whether you’re looking to protect business assets, avoid estate taxes, or protect personal assets from legal liability while running a business.
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Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid
It is a common misconception that only the ‘uber rich’ need an estate plan, when in actuality, everyone should have a plan.
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Estate Planning Checklist
Estate plans are made up of many parts, including wills and trusts, as well as any additional documents or information that will help beneficiaries carry out the requests of the benefactor.
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How to Transfer Business to the Next Generation
Failing to properly plan for disability, death, or the ultimate transition of a family business can lead to disastrous financial consequences for both the business and the family.
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The Benefits of a Good Estate Plan
Estate planning helps you avoid many problems. While it may take a little time and money upfront, you can avoid far worse problems later on.
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What’s More Important: Estate Plan or Trust?
Trusts and estates are the two main legal structures for transferring assets to your heirs and beneficiaries. Each works in critically different ways.
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Communication is Key in Generational Estate Planning
For most families, the estate planning process is more involved than simply naming beneficiaries. While the primary goal of estate planning is transferring assets in an orderly and tax-efficient manner, it’s just as important to focus on preserving wealth across generations.
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Can You Believe Aging Parents Grow Stubborn and They Know It?
Aging parents grow stubborn, and researchers are uncovering the reasons why.
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Here’s Why You Need an Estate Plan
No matter what line of work you are in, estate planning has facets that apply to everyone, and it comes down to documenting wishes and avoiding probate and unnecessary taxes. Too many people put it off, but, in general, the sooner you do it, the better.
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Will I Live Longer, if I Babysit the Grandchildren?
Looking for an extra incentive to spend some quality time with your grandchildren? Try telling their parents that it could extend your life.
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