Legally Avoid Probate with Advanced Planning

Wouldn’t it be great if your family didn’t have to go to court to settle your estate? It’s possible to legally avoid putting your estate through probate or at least simplify the process. It just takes a little advanced planning on your part and some help from a qualified Arizona estate planning lawyer. Here are […]

What IS a Conservator? What you need to know…

A conservator is a person who has been appointed by the courts in Arizona to conserve the assets of another person. A person who has become unable–either permanently or temporarily–to make his or her own financial decisions may have a conservator named to help them pay bills, manage finances and assure they are not taken […]

Probate Cost is HOW MUCH?

When practicing probate for more than 10 years, changes in the rules about probate cost become more about “when” they will happen and not “if”. Now in 2017, the courts are guided by some very general rules. To sum it up, there’s no limit to Probate cost or fees. Arizona goes by a “reasonable fee” […]

Here is some new help for Financial Caregivers

Are you now or do you expect to help an elderly parent or relative manage his or her finances? Have you been giving a power of attorney? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have both legal and ethical obligations in your role as a fiduciary. What are they? As a fiduciary, […]

Save Money and Heartache – Avoid a Guardianship This Way

What is a guardianship? It is no surprise that the older we get, the greater our chances of becoming mentally or physically incapacitated. Yikes. Not a happy subject. A guardianship can be the result of becoming incapacitated. They can be extremely expensive as well as heartbreaking for your family, especially when your affairs are a […]

Estate Plan: What’s in YOUR Wallet?

Got a plan? According to a estate plan study commissioned by the Boston College Center on Wealth and Philanthropy, more than $59 trillion in wealth is underway to pass to heirs, charities and Uncle Sam between today and 2061. That’s a LOT of cash…The majority of this is expected to be passed directly to heirs. […]

What is the Difference Between a Will-based plan and a Trust-based plan?

What is the Difference Between a Will-based plan and a Trust-based plan? This question arises frequently: what IS the difference between a Will-based plan and a Trust-based plan so you can make an educated decision for the family about what is best for all. A Will-based plan is an estate plan that does not include […]

Arizona Probate law and blended families

Blended families have grown over the years and there are more and more families choosing to prepare estate plans that will address their STEP-grandchildren or STEP-children exactly the same as their natural-born children. The question of whether stepchildren are considered descendants with regards for trust provisions is a question that arises often. To explain Arizona […]

Keystone Law Firm Team 100: AZ’s largest sundial is a prize of local resting grounds

We at Keystone Law Firm love to introduce our audience to businesses in the community that we know, like and trust. While most of us do not have a “relationship” with a cemetery, it is good to know that someday, when it is needed, you know a little about the providers nearby. Ron Schuler of […]

Robin Williams made the time for his estate plan. Will you?

One of most notable, memorable and prolific performers in our day was the late Robin Williams. This month marks one year since the world lost this striking talent. Williams did take the time and energy to create a specific plan for his very generous estate carefully arranging for his wife and his grown children. Like […]