Arizona Estate Planning Attorney | Citadel Law Firm

Estate Planning

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Estate Planning is something that an individual does while they are alive and have capacity, so that they can be protected during life from times of incapacity, and so that their assets pass to the people they want to have them. The usual goal is to avoid the need for Probate Court when someone passes away, and Estate Planning can help you achieve that. We also plan for tax savings, and for other situations that may arise during life, such as long-term care planning, or Special Needs Planning. Talk to an Arizona estate planning attorney if you need help.

Estate Planning also involves several decisions and customizations that are unique to each individual person. There is not a one-size-fits-all option for Estate Planning. Below, find some options and more information regarding some of the documents and packages our attorneys can prepare for you.

Revocable Living Trust. - A trust that is amendable during the life of the TrustMaker and becomes Irrevocable after they pass away.

Last Will and Testament. - A contract signed during life that dictates who will receive assets after a person passes away.

General Durable Power of Attorney. - A document that allows the person signing (the Principal) to designate another person (the Agent) to make their financial decisions in the event of incapacity.

Health Care Power of Attorney. - A document that allows the person signing (the Principal) to designate another person (the Agent) to make their Medical decisions in the event of incapacity.

Living Will. - A document that outlines what care a person desires to receive in the event of Terminal Illness or a Persistent Vegetative State. Usually dictates that artificial measures to prolong life should cease in certain circumstances. Having a Living Will in Arizona is very important.

The documents above are all base-level estate planning documents and can be bolstered with other documents. For example, we might include a stand-alone HIPAA Waiver, or an assignment of business interest or personal property to a trust. Each situation is different and thus requires personalized attention.

Without the use of Estate Planning, upon death state law would control as to how assets are split and who gets what. We would likely be looking to Probate Court and a Judge to decide how things will go under the law. The law is written in such a way as to be fair to the most amount of people possible, but it makes several assumptions and provides only a base level of protections. By utilizing Estate Planning, we can opt out of the default setup the state provides and make sure that your wishes are honored and that you are protected during life.

In summary, Estate Planning can provide a high level of relief in that our clients often feel as though a weight has been lifted off of their shoulders. Estate Planning included the use of Trusts, Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Living Wills, among other documents. We use these documents to make sure that you are protected during life if you should face a time of incapacity, and we make sure that your wishes are honored after you pass away. We can also provide excellent liability protections for your loved ones, but each estate will be unique.

Please click here to schedule a Free Initial Consultation with one of our experienced estate planning attorneys or call (480) 565-8020. We will be pleased to help. Our attorneys in Phoenix have experience and they are affordable.

If you want to know how much it cost to create a Will in the state of Arizona click here.

Estate Planning

Estate Planning and Retirement Planning Services

Proper coordination of your estate planning, life insurance, investments, and long-term care is essential to minimizing risks to you, caring for your loved ones, and realizing your retirement dreams.  The professionals at the Citadel Law Firm ® work with you and your other advisors to define goals and create a coordinated strategy that builds security for you and protects your legacy as you transition through different stages of life.

We endeavor to understand your concerns when developing your estate plan.  Most clients desire a comprehensive approach to managing their affairs in case of death or disability.  This may include protecting and providing for a spouse, children, or even grandchildren.

We advise on strategies to defer, reduce, and sometimes even avoid estate taxes.  We can structure your plan to avoid probate in case of death or conservatorship in case of disability.

Minimizing the risks of will contests, challenges, or other fights over property upon death is always a concern.  Keeping your family together is as important to us as it is to you.

"Peace of mind comes from not wanting to change others."

(Gerald Jampolsky)

Estate Planning Considerations

Family related:

  • Providing for and protecting a spouse, child, and/or grandchild.
  • Protecting children’s inheritance from the possibility of failed marriages.
  • Desire to get affairs in order and create a comprehensive plan to manage affairs in case of death or disability.
  • Avoiding will contests, challenges, or other fights over property upon death.

Tax and efficiency:

  • Avoiding probate.
  • Avoiding a conservatorship (“living probate”) in case of a disability.
  • Reduce administration costs at time of your death.
  • Avoiding or reducing your estate taxes.

Business continuity:

  • Plan for the transfer and survival of a family business.
  • Protecting assets from lawsuits or creditors.
  • Preserving the privacy of affairs in case of disability or at time of death from business competitors, predators, dishonest persons, and curiosity seekers.

Special situations:

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Schedule a free consultation to talk about your Estate Planning needs.

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