trust & probate administration

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is challenging to say the least. Many individuals find the emotional turmoil overwhelming without even having to deal with other issues. Unfortunately, many people have to deal with their lost loved one's estate, which can...

Serving as the administrator of a trust, also known as a trustee, can be a great honor. In many instances, an individual has named another person in his or her will to serve as the administrator of a trust because he or she trusted the sound judgment of the named...

The way in which estate plans are created and estate assets are distributed are dictated by state laws. Therefore, those who are familiar with their state's laws can usually craft an estate plan that suits their needs. In some instances, though, these matters can be...

Serving as the executor of an estate or the administrator of a trust carries significant responsibilities. When those responsibilities are improperly handled, legal action can be taken against an executor or administrator. Therefore, before agreeing to serve in this...

Sadly, many Arizonans view estate planning as a burdensome, depressing endeavor that is better left for later. However, estate planning has considerable significance. After all, the terms laid out in an estate plan, or the lack of an estate plan, will dictate how...

Estate planning can be an enormously complex endeavor. This is especially true when an individual identifies a number of heirs and beneficiaries and there are significant assets with which to deal. However, while passing down retirement accounts and homes can be...

While a lot of estate planning focuses on the nuts and bolts of leaving assets to loved ones, it can also include matters related to end of life care. This is why it is important to give due considerations to legal documents like health care directives. A health care...

The definition of family has certainly broaden over the last 50 years. Back then, most families were comprised of married men and women who had children and who stayed in their marriages until death. In the modern world, though, there is no "normal" family. In fact,...

If you've been a reader of this blog, then you know that estate planning has many elements. Most people realize that wills and trusts make up a significant portion of an estate plan, but they are not by any means the documents that are needed in order to ensure that a...

Recently on the blog we discussed how to handle hard assets such as heirlooms during the estate planning process. This can be a tricky subject to address, as it can involve multiple parties, each with their own interests. Many people who engage in estate planning try...