Modifying trusts used to be very complicated. But in recent years, the law of trusts has changed — in Arizona and in many other U.S. jurisdictions.
Of course some trusts are fully revocable and amendable. But not all. Many trusts
Continue Reading Modifying Trusts – Some Observations
If only we had a crystal ball. That would make estate planning so much easier. But none of us can see into the future. So we try to address the unknown by asking, “What if?” As in, “What if the
Continue Reading Know the Future? No? Consider a Contingency Plan
As the this extraordinary year winds down, we all start thinking about 2021 year end planning. In the tax and estate planning world, that might mean quite a lot of potential concerns.
Many news sources have inundated you with information
Continue Reading 2021 Year End Planning
Last week in this space we wrote about Arizona’s beneficiary deed option. The Arizona law allows you to set up an automatic transfer on death for real estate. No probate, no complications. There are things to look out for, of
Continue Reading Garn-St Germain and Your Estate Planning
You know that you can name a beneficiary on your life insurance account, your bank and other financial accounts — even your car. Wouldn’t it be great if you could create an automatic transfer on death for your home? Oh,
Continue Reading Automatic Transfer on Death: Arizona’s Beneficiary Deed
Say you need to get authority over your father’s finances because you don’t think he can manage them himself any longer. You know you need a power of attorney (POA). Can’t you just go online, download a financial POA form,
Continue Reading Financial POA Form
If you look around, there are a number of places you can download an online health care power of attorney. Some will assure you that they are valid in Arizona. A few are Arizona-specific.
For example, the Arizona Attorney General’s
Continue Reading Online Health Care Power of Attorney Form
October is around the corner, which means it’s time for the September review of elder law news and developments. Of utmost concern: Potential changes to the estate tax. We’ll devote most of our review to the current proposal, even though
Continue Reading September Review: Estate Tax Changes Around the Corner?
A will (or trust) often leaves specific items — like stock — to named individuals. But what happens when that specific item no longer exists at the death of the owner? Well, let’s review the concept of “ademption.”
What
Continue Reading Ademption: Sale of Stock Defeats Inheritance
A month ago, a podcast listener asked us a series of detailed questions about self-settled SNTs (special needs trusts). We tackle the questions in this episode.
Actually, the listener’s questions didn’t specify whether their questions were about self-settled special needs
Continue Reading Listener’s Questions About Self-Settled SNTs
