Many people ask us here at Phelps LaClair about the difference between wills and trusts. To most, the revocable living trust looks a lot like a will. They wonder if a trust can replace a will, and whether they need to create a will if...
You can control how trust assets are distributed to your beneficiaries. Choosing the right trust distribution method will help protect your estate. It can be a complicated matter that’s best sorted out with the advice of an experienced lawyer. An estate planning attorney can help you...
Developing a family cabin succession plan requires long-range planning that involves the whole family. This may seem obvious, but cabin owners should confirm that each child or other prospective new owner has an interest in becoming a cabin owner. After it’s determined that there is cooperation...
“Till death do us part” is often quoted in marriage vows. And for good reason. Very few marriages start out with the intention of ending in divorce. However, divorce is a reality that affects about half of all marriages. Phelps LaClair estate planning law firm...
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...
James Phelps was interviewed on TV3’s Your Life Arizona this past week and answered some questions about estate planning. James is the managing partner at Phelps LaClair, with offices in Phoenix, Chandler, and Mesa. Phelps LaClair is approaching their 40th year in estate planning. During the...
A common question we are asked at Phelps LaClair is, “Do I need an estate plan?” As a second generation estate planning firm with 40 years of experience in serving the Phoenix Valley, we believe, no matter how large or modest the estate, everyone can...
Every April the Internal Revenue Service comes knocking on the door, looking for 1040s, 1099s, Schedule Cs, and a check for the bottom line. At Phelps LaClair, serving Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and the Phoenix Valley, we are sometimes asked by our clients if they will...
There are many kinds of trusts, and sorting through which one is right for your estate plan can feel a little like trying to figure out the best car to buy among the more than 240 models available in the United States. Fortunately, there are...
In Phoenix Arizona during the summertime, the temperatures can soar. The hottest temperature ever recorded in our fair city was on June 26, 1990. On that day, the thermometer peaked at a sweltering 122 degrees Fahrenheit! As a second generation, estate planning law firm in...