Probate is a long and costly process that places an unnecessary burden on your loved ones. If you want to avoid probate in Arizona, you’ll need more than just a will in your estate plan. Wills are always subject to probate, and that is why...
Forming an LLC is a good way to protect your business assets in the event of a lawsuit or bankruptcy. However, if you’re considering creating an LLC, you may be wondering what happens to your ownership interest after you pass away. At Phelps LaClair, we’re...
Only nine states in the U.S. follow community property laws, and Arizona happens to be one of them. If you’re married and living here, this means that nearly everything you and your spouse acquire during your marriage is considered jointly owned. Your joint property can...
Owning multiple properties can be a dream come true. Maybe you bought a vacation home in California and a ski cabin in Colorado, or you own rental properties in Florida. Property ownership can be an exciting venture, especially while you’re enjoying the benefits of your...
Marriage changes a lot about your life, including what happens to your assets when you pass away. But if you already have a will, does getting married override it? And does your spouse automatically inherit everything? In Arizona, the answers depend on a few key factors:...
When someone dies, their mortgage debt becomes part of their estate. What happens next gets complicated…it’s going to depend on several different factors, like whether there’s a co-signer on the mortgage, and whether or not the deceased had a will. For example, if you are...
Many people believe that listing their assets and naming beneficiaries in a will is enough for their estate to avoid probate. However, wills are always required to go through probate, because the court needs to validate them. Probate is the legal process of distributing the assets...
If you are legally married, it’s important to know how your marital status will affect the distribution of your estate. For instance, whether or not your spouse inherits your property depends on which state you live in. Some states consider certain assets to be community...