Fulfilling the duties of a trustee can feel overwhelming at times. There are many rules to follow and many tasks to carry out if you want to ensure the trust is administered successfully. It can often be difficult to know exactly where to start. We...
In our hectic world, so many things can change over a short period of time, especially matters concerning family dynamics, assets, and financial accounts. That is why at Phelps LaClair in Gilbert, Chandler, and Mesa, we encourage our clients to review their estate plans every...
At Phelps LaClair, we are often asked how long it takes for a trust to be distributed. In our experience as a second generation law firm, we know that the general rule is to have the trust distributed within a reasonable time. But what does...
In the world of estate planning, there are similar terms that define very different planning goals. For instance, at Phelps LaClair, we hear this question a lot: “What is the difference between a Living Will and a Living Trust?” As a 2nd generation law firm,...
Hopefully, you’ve already created an estate plan that benefits your spouse or partner as well as any children and grandchildren in your family. But there are some other important family members you may have forgotten to consider when estate planning—your pets. Planning ahead for your...
Nobody gets married planning to divorce down the road. But sadly, nearly half of all marriages do end in divorce. As estate planning lawyers with 40 years of experience, Phelps LaClair knows what happens to a trust in a divorce. Wills Wills and trusts are different, of...
There are definitely important things to include in all estate planning: making sure all of your assets are covered, naming beneficiaries, and reducing tax burdens are a few items among that crucial list. But you also want to be aware of what should not be...
Estate planning is a strategic step to setting your finances and assets in order prior to incapacitation or death. Life has many unexpected turns along the way, and when we plan for them in advance, it saves time, money, and unnecessary headaches. The estate planning...
DIY, or do-it-yourself, has become a common phrase in modern language. And while a DIY attitude may work well to foster creativity for daily life, when it comes to estate planning, DIY can cause devastating complications—which is the last thing you want your family to...
There’s one crucial step that many people skip after signing their trust document—actually funding the trust. If you forget to complete this step, your assets will remain subject to probate and be vulnerable to creditors after you’re gone. No matter how detailed the instructions you...