Probate can feel like a maze. For families in Arizona, especially in Maricopa County, the process is often confusing, time-sensitive, and full of technical rules that aren’t obvious from the outside. Families stumble into the same traps again and again. These mistakes don’t just delay closing an estate — they can lead to personal liability, extra court hearings, or even lawsuits.

Beneficiary designations seem simple: you add a child or loved one to your bank account, retirement plan, or life insurance policy, and you assume your planning is done. While these forms do play an important role in estate planning, relying on them alone can create unintended consequences, disputes, and even court involvement.

If you live in an Arizona homeowners association (HOA), voting season can feel overwhelming. Whether it is electing board members, approving budgets, or amending community rules, HOA votes affect everything from how much you pay in assessments to what you can do with your property. Understanding the process and your rights as a homeowner helps ensure your voice is heard.

When you’re a parent, the hardest “what if” question is: Who would take care of my children if something happened to me? Naming a guardian is one of the most important parts of estate planning for Arizona families. Without clear instructions, a court decides — and that may not be the person you would have chosen. Here’s what you need to know about naming a guardian for your children in Arizona.

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.

When you buy a home in a planned community or a condominium in Arizona, you are not just purchasing real estate. You are also entering into a binding relationship with the homeowners’ association, governed by a legal document known as the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). Arizona courts treat CC&Rs as contracts between the HOA and the homeowner, and that means the words on the page have real consequences when disputes arise.

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.

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.