If you have made it this far, you likely fall into the group of people who are considering setting up an estate plan, and you probably live in or near Chandler, Arizona. As Estate Planning Attorneys, we are often asked questions such as “Do I need an attorney?”, or “Why should I consult with a trust attorney?”. The answer to these questions is long but simple; you should consult with an attorney for a few reasons, but mainly because at the end of the day, you want to get it right, and a lawyer can provide you with the best options for your circumstances.

1. Every client is unique

Each and every person is in a unique and different position than other people are in. There is no one-size-fits-all type of estate plan. For some, a simple will-based estate plan is great, as we don’t want to make things too difficult. For others, their goals may be different, and a simple probate avoidance trust may be what they are looking for. Some may want to make sure that their next of kin is protected from the costs associated with divorce, lawsuits, and creditors. Some people have children with substance abuse issues, or they have children who are disabled and will need extra attention. Some elderly clients may need an estate plan that takes into consideration elder law.

For each circumstance, there are choices and options available, and you need to consult with an experienced trust attorney to make sure that you know all of your options.

2. Estate planning is complex, and combines many different areas of law

Estate Planning is the combination of several different areas of law. Our attorneys have combined experience in Arizona State Law, IRS Regulations and Tax Law, Medicaid Planning Law, Real Estate Law, Contract Law, and Probate Law. With this combined experience, our documents are specifically tailored to allow for flexibility should you need it in the future. While we are normally planning to avoid probate court when you pass away, we can also plan put flexible tax savings plans into your trust. No one has ever come into our office and told us that they would like to pay more in taxes than they have to. Perhaps you have a family history of needing long term care at end of life. We have options available to make sure that Medicaid is an option for you, so that you don’t have to spend every dollar you ever worked for on healthcare. We can protect some of your assets and still get you or your loved one the care you need. We assist our clients with funding their trusts by executing deeds in the State of Arizona.

3. We keep up on changes in the law, so you don’t have to

While we can’t speak for every attorney, the attorneys at our office offer years of experience in estate planning, taxation, and the law in general. We also provide legal representation for probate, so we have seen the estate plans that end up in court and are able to identify the problems with those estate plans. We can plan ahead to make sure that those problems don’t establish themselves in your estate. Having experienced legal representation in the drafting of your documents can put you in the best possible position to protect your estate from probate, to establish privacy, and to plan ahead for your next of kin.

As attorneys, we are able to make legal recommendations under the law. We are trained in reading the law and deciphering the legal ease. We also keep up to date on the changes and modifications of the law, through the Legislature, the courts, and the IRS. Our practice is designed around our attorney’s combined experience and our main goal is to honor your wishes and make sure that your estate plan does exactly what you want it to do. With that goal in mind, our attorneys may offer you a Revocable Living Trust, or a Last Will and Testament. We may propose that you step into an irrevocable trust to ensure that you are maximizing your tax savings. The estate and gift tax exemption from the IRS is currently quite large, but that law is set to expire in 2026. We can plan ahead for changes that we see coming, and we can ensure that you and your children are protected to the highest extent possible.

4. It isn’t about JUST a will or JUST a trust; We offer the whole package

We recommend and offer a full estate planning package to our clients. We know the importance of having you protected both during life, and after you pass away. We also stand behind each plan we create. We are there to answer questions down the road should you have any, and we are there to support you should you run into problems while funding your trust. We also offer a free consultation (click here to schedule) with your next of kin when you do pass away, or should they need to use your powers of attorney. This can be a daunting task, and we understand that a little bit of instruction at this crucial time can go a long way.

5. Other Estate Planning options don’t offer the expertise that an attorney does

The other options available for estate planning simply cannot rise to the same level as our attorneys. Non-attorneys often don’t make legal recommendations. They simply have a template form that they fill out with your information, and this form often doesn’t reflect your unique circumstances. These plans often fail at the principal’s death, and the estate can end up in probate court. If this is the case, then Arizona Intestacy law may apply, and your assets may not go to the people you want them to go to. Your next of kin may also be looking at a large lawyer bill at this point, especially if they are fighting in court.

In conclusion, the breadth of knowledge and practice area that goes into trust and estate planning in Arizona is gigantic. Knowing how things can go awry is of the utmost importance so that you can plan for every contingency. Our attorneys at Citadel Law Firm are experienced in can assist you in planning to protect your children and for other contingencies. While there are certainly less expensive options, consulting with a trust attorney in Chandler is the best option and can provide you with the greatest peace of mind that you are protected and that your wishes will be honored.

Call (480)565-8020 or click here to schedule a free consultation. A consult with a trust attorney in Chandler, Arizona will help you achieve peace of mind.