In Arizona, many families try to keep estate planning simple. Instead of working with an attorney, they use shortcuts: adding children to the deed of the family home, putting kids on bank accounts, or gifting property during life. On the surface, these moves may look like an easy way to avoid probate or legal fees. In reality, they often create costly problems — from tax bills to lawsuits between siblings. Here’s why “do-it-yourself” fixes often backfire in Arizona and end up costing more in the long run.
Read MoreIt’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.
Read MoreWhen 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.
Read MoreCan 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.
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