Ancillary administration in Arizona comes into play when someone passes away while their ownership of property in more than one state remains intact. This secondary probate procedure is necessary to properly distribute or transfer the deceased's assets in Arizona if...
trust & probate administration
Can I have more than one trustee in Arizona?
A trustee is a person responsible for managing and distributing the assets held in trust according to the terms laid down by the grantor. That means that the trustee plays a critical role in safeguarding the interests of the trust’s beneficiaries, as well as making...
Some things to consider when administering an estate
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...
Trustees and the fiduciary duty
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...
What is the ancillary probate process?
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...
The basics of estate execution and trust administration
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...
When should an individual revisit an estate plan?
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...
Tracking personal property during estate planning
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...
What to consider when choosing a health care proxy
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...
Modern families require modern estate planning approaches
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,...
