Blended families are increasingly common, but their estate planning needs are anything but simple. When spouses enter a marriage with children from prior relationships, joint assets, and independent financial obligations, the legal stakes rise sharply. At Stuart &...
As the new year begins, many of us reflect on the past and set intentions for the future. Common resolutions include getting healthier, saving money, or spending more time with loved ones. While these are all worthy goals, there’s one resolution that often gets...
Most Americans do not have a will or trust. But just because the majority of people in this country aren’t prepared for that eventuality doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be. Whether you need a will or a trust is a conversation for a different day. Why do you need any...
It seems easy to prepare a will especially if your wishes are simple. Even if you think you can do it yourself, we recommend you have a will and estate prepared by an attorney or other qualified professional. If it’s not, it can cause problems after your death. Assets...
Families often think to settle an estate in Arizona is simply closing a few accounts and dispersing money and other assets according to the wishes of the deceased. While that is true, the process can take longer than a few days or weeks. Often the executor is required...
In the midst of major life events such as marriage, divorce, or death of a loved one, it is important to not only take time to process your emotions, you must also be making financial decisions and changes. These changes include your estate plan, especially after...
While the number of Americans with medical directives such as Living Wills continues to rise, it is estimated that as many as 55% of Americans die without a will or estate plan. What happens if you die without an estate plan in Arizona? Dying without an estate plan or...
When assisting clients with estate planning, we are sometimes asked, “What is a Life Estate?” Simply stated, a life estate is created when property is granted to a person for their life as part of a will. Hence the term “life” estate. What is a will? A will is a legal...
While none of us wants to think about it, major accidents and medical emergencies happen every day in Arizona. How you want to be treated medically is up to your doctors and family unless you have a living will. What should you include in a living will? In our blog...
There are a variety of reasons you need to name a beneficiary of your estate. The most important is so that in the event of your death, your possessions and money go to the people that you wish to receive them. This is especially important if there is someone who...