Estate Planning

Arizona Estate Planning

Estate planning covers a wide range of topics and can be simple or very complex. Each person is unique and the details of how everything should be organized in an estate are specific to your individual wants and needs. Our dedicated Phoenix estate planning attorneys are here to help you make the difficult choices now so that your family and loved ones won’t have to make them later. We will work with you, paying close attention to make sure details are not overlooked and you have what you need in to meet your goals.

Wills

A Last Will and Testament is the most known legal document in estate planning. A Will gives instructions as to how the deceased individual wants to handle things such as who will care for their minor children and how their property should be distributed. Without a Will to direct how your affairs will be handled, an Arizona Court will step in to appoint someone, called a Personal Representative, to assist with the distribution of property. Your property and assets will have to go through probate court, taking time and legal fees to sort out details. This can cause arguments amongst family members and lead to lengthy court proceedings.

Many people make mistaken assumptions about what will happen if they do not have a Will. For example, married couples often times think that their spouse will receive everything. But in reality, other family members might have a claim on certain property. Or what if something happens to you and your spouse at the same time? What happens then? A Will can address these situations and give clear and concise direction as to your wishes for what will happen.

If you already have a Will but a significant amount of time has passed since its creation or you have undergone major life changes, it is important to update it. An estate planning attorney in either our Tucson or Phoenix offices can help review your existing will and suggest updates to make sure it is in line with your wishes.

Living Wills

A Living Will is a document that outlines your philosophy and what medical decisions you would want to be made should you be unable to make them. If you are incapacitated and unable to express your wishes, a Living Will is an advance directive telling others what you would want. It is an important part of an estate plan and, along with a medical power of attorney, will guide healthcare decisions made on your behalf.

Medical Power of Attorney

A durable power of attorney for healthcare decisions is a document where an individual gives another the ability to make healthcare decisions for them, but only if that person is unable to communicate or make their own decisions. This happens most times when an individual is in a coma or a vegetative state. The designated person who holds the power or attorney will be able to review the Living Will and then make the informed decision and communicate that to the healthcare provider.

It is important to remember that estate planning is not a one-size-fits-all approach. At Desert View Law, you can speak with an attorney who is committed to providing compassionate and detailed guidance on these estate planning matters. Call our Phoenix or Tucson office for your free 30-minute consultation.