Estate Planning for Families with College-Age Kids: Why Move-In Season Is the Perfect Time to Update Your Plan

It’s that time of year again—Targets packed with dorm supplies, IKEA lines stretching around the block, and moving vans pulling into Tempe for ASU’s move-in weekend. For parents, this season is all about making sure your student is ready for independence—new bedding, laptops, and maybe a little advice about laundry.

But college move-in season is also the perfect reminder that your estate plan needs to keep pace with your family. Once your children turn 18, guardianship provisions in your will or trust are no longer necessary. Instead, planning shifts to protecting young adults financially while preparing them to handle the responsibility of inheritance.

Estate PlanningMelanie JorgensenAugust 26, 2025Estate Planning

Buying a Home or Condo in an HOA in Arizona: What Every Buyer Should Know

HOA Law, HOA rules and regulationsMelanie JorgensenAugust 20, 2025HOA Law

What Is a Vehicle Beneficiary Designation Form — and Why It Matters in Arizona

Estate PlanningMelanie JorgensenAugust 8, 2025Estate Planning

Injunction Against Harassment vs. Order of Protection: What’s the Difference in Arizona?

When you're facing threats, intimidation, or ongoing unwanted contact, knowing your legal options is critical. In Arizona, two of the most common protective orders are the Injunction Against Harassment (IAH) and the Order of Protection (OOP). While they both serve to prevent contact and protect individuals from harm, they are designed for different situations—and understanding the distinction can help you get the right legal protection quickly.

What Assets Go Through Probate in Arizona?

When someone passes away, not everything they owned necessarily goes through probate. In Arizona, probate is only required for certain types of property—specifically, assets that were titled in the decedent’s name alone and lacked a legally valid plan for transfer. Understanding which assets require probate and which do not is critical for both families settling an estate and individuals planning ahead.

Estate Planning, ProbateMelanie JorgensenJuly 29, 2025Estate Planning, Probate

Can a Sticky Note Saying “XO” Transfer an Estate? An Arizona Court Says No.

Can a handwritten “XO” count as a valid signature on a will in Arizona? Learn how the Bixby case clarifies holographic will requirements and what it means for your estate plan.

Estate PlanningMelanie JorgensenJuly 17, 2025Estate planning

“We’re Not Rich — Do We Still Need a Trust?”

A lot of Arizona families are hearing about the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” and thinking, “Well, that’s great news — the estate tax exemption is going up. We’re not millionaires, so I guess we don’t need to worry about estate planning.”

That reaction is understandable. If the federal exemption is increasing, and Arizona doesn’t have its own estate tax, it’s tempting to believe estate planning is only something the very wealthy need to worry about.

TrustsMelanie JorgensenJuly 11, 2025Trusts

Arizona Increases Small Estate Limits in Probate Law Update: What You Need to Know About A.R.S. § 14-3971

Arizona has enacted a significant change to its probate laws that will impact families settling small estates. Effective June 30, 2025, the revised A.R.S. § 14-3971 dramatically increases the value thresholds for using a Small Estate Affidavit, streamlining estate administration for many Arizona families.

estate planning, Will, ProbateMelanie JorgensenJune 27, 2025Estate Planning, Probate

Arizona Corporation Commission Launches New Policies to Prevent Business Filing Fraud

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) has adopted four new policies aimed at reducing fraudulent business filings and increasing protections for business owners. These reforms, approved unanimously on May 8, 2025, will roll out starting this summer, with additional implementation steps tied to the launch of the ACC’s new online filing portal later this year.

business law, ComplianceMelanie JorgensenJune 24, 2025Business Law, Compliance

What to Do If You Experience Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual harassment in the workplace is illegal under both federal and state laws. It can take many forms, including unwelcome comments, advances, or physical contact. If you feel uncomfortable or harassed, it is crucial to know your rights and the steps you can take to protect yourself.

Can Your Arizona HOA Ban Political Signs? Uncover the Law Behind Your Yard Rights

As election season approaches, political signs are popping up all around metro Phoenix. Street corners, front yards, and vacant lots are filled with messages trying to sway voters one way or another. But for those living in a homeowners association (HOA) or condominium owners association (COA), questions often arise about whether they can display political signs in their own yards—and what restrictions, if any, are in place.

HOA Law, Political LawsMelanie JorgensenOctober 4, 2024HOA Law

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: What You Need to Know About Your Rights

2024 is a transformative year for pregnant workers, thanks to the implementation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). This new law, effective June 18, 2024, expands the protections and accommodations available to pregnant employees, ensuring their rights to fair treatment in the workplace. Whether you're currently pregnant, recovering from childbirth, or dealing with related medical conditions, the PWFA is here to support you by requiring your employer to provide reasonable accommodations, so you can work in a healthy and safe environment.

Employment LawMelanie JorgensenSeptember 17, 2024employment law, Pregnancy, PWFA

Much ADU About Something

As the popularity of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) continues to rise, Arizona homeowners are increasingly exploring the potential of these versatile living spaces. Whether you see an ADU as a way to accommodate family members, generate rental income, or simply enhance the value of your property, it's essential to understand the local laws that impact your rights. Specifically, recent Arizona legislation supports homeowners' freedom to rent out their ADUs without interference from local government restrictions. However, Homeowner's Associations (HOAs) still retain significant power to impose their own restrictions. Our law firm is here to help you navigate these complexities and protect your interests.

HOA LawMelanie JorgensenJune 26, 2024Homeowners, HOA Law

Health Care Decision-Making in Arizona: Legal Frameworks and Procedures

In the context of health care decision-making in Arizona, especially for individuals who are incapacitated, the state utilizes a legal structure that includes health care powers of attorney and surrogate decision-making laws. Although Arizona has not fully implemented the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (UHCDA), its legal provisions aim to fulfill a similar objective: to ensure that the health care preferences of individuals are honored and implemented in situations where they are unable to communicate their wishes directly.

Arizona Introduces a New Supported Decision-Making Law

Disability LawMelanie JorgensenApril 9, 2024Disability, Disability Discrimination

Understanding Uncontested Probate: A Guide Through the Simpler Side of Estate Administration

estate planningMelanie JorgensenFebruary 27, 2024Probate, Real Estate

Navigating the New Terrain: Understanding the DOL's Final Rule on Independent Contractor Classification

In a significant development for labor law and worker classification in the United States, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule on Tuesday that revises the interpretation of the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) classification provision. This rule aims to provide clearer criteria for determining whether a worker may be considered an independent contractor.

Corporate Transparency Act

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), a landmark regulation in the United States, has ushered in a new era of corporate responsibility and transparency. This act requires businesses to disclose their beneficial owners, aiming to prevent and combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities. As business owners and entrepreneurs, it's crucial to understand the implications of this act and adhere to its requirements.

business lawMelanie JorgensenDecember 1, 2023business law, Corporations

Supreme Court Rules for Christian Mail Carrier who Refused to Work on Sundays

In a recent landmark ruling, the Supreme Court addressed a case that revolved around a Christian postal worker's refusal to work on Sundays due to religious beliefs.

DiscriminationMelanie JorgensenSeptember 5, 2023Religious Discrimination, Discrimination

Revival of Teacher's Religious Discrimination Case

On July 31, 2023, a groundbreaking decision was made by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, breathing new life into a Christian teacher's religious discrimination lawsuit. At its core, the case revolves around the refusal of the teacher to address transgender students by their chosen names and pronouns. It encapsulates the complexities surrounding the balance of religious freedoms and protections against LGBTQ+ discrimination in the constantly evolving legal framework.

DiscriminationMelanie JorgensenAugust 28, 2023Discrimination, LGTBQ