Author Archives: Jeffrey P. Hall
How to Bring Up Estate Planning With Your Parents
It’s an unfortunate truth that many people approaching their senior years have not turned their attention to planning for their old age or for transferring assets upon their deaths. If your parents are in that company, you can help put them on the right track. However, talking to your parents about estate planning can be […]
Preparing for the End of the Doubled Gift and Estate Tax Exemption
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), enacted in 2017, significantly increased the federal gift and estate tax lifetime exemption amount. As of 2024, the exemption stands at $13.61 million per individual (or $27.22 million for married couples), offering families an unprecedented opportunity to transfer substantial wealth without incurring […]
Handling Probate in Arizona from Out of State
If a relative or close friend dies in Arizona and you’ve been named as their personal representative, you will be faced with the challenging duty of settling their estate. But how will you do this if you live out of state? By engaging a capable Arizona probate attorney, you can accomplish the necessary tasks long […]
Estate Planning Goals That Everyone Should Focus On
Estate planning is not merely for the wealthy or elderly. It’s how all people can control how their assets will be managed and distributed late in life and after their death, thereby ensuring that their needs and intentions are met and that their loved ones are cared for. Whether you have modest or substantial income […]
How Community Property Is Distributed in Estate Probate
In Arizona, property acquired by either spouse during a marriage is presumed to belong to both spouses equally. This “community property” doctrine can affect not only how assets are divided during a divorce but also how they are distributed upon the death of one of the spouses. Assets that are considered separate property are not […]
How to Write a Will That’s Contest-Proof
The purpose of a will is to transfer your assets upon your death to the people or entities you want to receive them. But how effectively this is accomplished depends in large part on carefully expressing your intentions and instructions in these documents, as well as making sure they comply with applicable state law. In […]
A Checklist for Your First Meeting With an Arizona Estate Planning Attorney
You’ve decided to write a will and to take other steps to provide for future management and distribution of your assets. You also want to plan for your long-term health care, including the possibility of becoming permanently incapacitated. All of this is can be part of the discussion during your first consultation with the Arizona […]
How to Structure an Arizona Will to Prevent Lapses in Bequests
In drafting your will, it is important to guard against the possibility that the bequests you make might lapse due to unforeseen circumstances. A lapse occurs when a named beneficiary dies before you or when a beneficiary is unable or unwilling to accept the bequest. You’ll want to be sure to make provisions to prevent […]
Cautions to Observe in Using Powers of Attorney in Estate Planning
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows one person to authorize another to act in their behalf in specified circumstances. There are several different types of POAs and the scope of authority granted can vary. While a POA can be a fundamental part of a comprehensive estate plan one must be […]
Should You Have Both a Living Trust and a Will?
Two of the most common estate planning devices are the last will and testament and the living trust. Both documents are meant to ensure that the decedent’s wealth is distributed in accordance with his or her wishes. However, there are differences between the two, and they can in fact work together. The most notable characteristics […]
