Articles from Our "Family Wealth Matters" Newsletter
Useful articles on estate planning, business, retirement planning, probate and trust administration, taxation, aging and disability, estate planning and marriage, and other topics.
Estate Planning - General
Your Estate Plan: Getting Started
Is It Time for an Estate Plan Review? You Be the Judge
Streamlining Your Trust: One Simple Step
New to Arizona? Our Community Property Laws May Conflict with Your Estate Plan
Who Needs Asset Protection? Maybe You
A 529 Plan Can Help Cover the Growing Costs of a Child or Grandchild's Education
Beneficiary Deeds: Simple and Inexpensive ... but Not Quite Perfect for All Situations
The Benefits of a Living Trust, Part 2: Protection from a Bad Marriage
Choose Wisely: Naming the Personal Representative of Your Estate
CLATs: Help a Charity, Keep a Deduction, and Transfer an Asset to the Kids
Could a Bank Refuse Your Power of Attorney?
Digital Assets: Your Estate in the Cloud
Disinheritance: Regardless of the Purpose, Proceed with Caution
Does Your 18-Year-Old Need a Will?
Dying Without a Will: A Look at Arizona's Laws of Intestacy
Funding Your Trust: A Crucial Step in Achieving the Benefits of a Sound Estate Plan
Gifting: As Simple as Writing a Check
“Adequate Disclosure” of Gifts that Exceed the Yearly Limit
IDGT: Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts
IRS: Assets Conveyed to an Irrevocable Grantor Trust Are Not Eligible for Step-Up in Basis
The Perils of Joint Tenancy with Your Adult Children
Personal Property Memorandum: A Valuable Exercise in Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning
Pet Trusts: Estate Planning for Your Large and Small Animals
Should You Name a Trust Protector?
Should Your Revocable Trust Own Your LLC?
We Have Lift-Off: A Mentoring Checklist for Parents of Adult Kids
Probate and Trust Administration
Reasonable Compensation for Arizona Trustees and Personal Representatives
For Personal Representatives, Collecting the Decedent's Assets Is a Critical Duty
Arizona’s “Slayer Statute” Tested in Court
Avoiding Personal Liability in Acting as a Trustee or Personal Representative
Eight Key Duties of a Successor Trustee
Equipping Your Successor Trustee or Personal Representative
Estate Controversy: Types and Causes
Falling Short: Harsh Consequences for Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Funding and Administering Your Trust
Guidelines for the Individual Trustee
Irrevocable Trusts in Arizona: Trustee Reporting, Notification Requirements
Personal Representative Handbook
Small Estate Affidavits: Avoiding Probate in Property Disposition
"That's Not What Mom Would Have Wanted": A Look at Will Contests in Arizona
Will Contests: Arizona's 8-Factor Test for Undue Influence
Will Contests: Challenges in Making a Case for Mental Incapacity
Videos:
"What Do I Do Now?" Key Steps in Serving as a Successor Trustee
Business
Corporate Transparency Act Places New Reporting Requirements on Most Business Entities
Asset Protection: Should a Holding Company Own Your Business?
Stress Test: Due Diligence in a Business Sale
Letters of Intent in a Business Sale: 7 Seller FAQs
Should Your LLC Be Taxed as a Subchapter S Corporation?
Estate Planning for Business Owners: A Will or Trust Is Just the Start of Your Ultimate Plan
Estate Planning for Business Owners: Should Your Revocable Trust Own Your LLC?
7 Key Legal Steps to Protect You and Your Business
Choosing an Arizona Business Entity
Retirement Planning
Beneficiary Designations Trump Wills and Trusts
SECURE Act Is a Win for IRA Owners - but Beware of New Restrictions on "Stretch" IRAs
Taxation
A Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT) Offers Many Benefits, Few Drawbacks
Achieving Estate Tax Savings and Asset Protection Through a QPRT
"Step-Up in Basis" Can Make Inheritance Better than a Gift
U.S. Supreme Court Blocks State from Taxing a Beneficiary for Non-Received Trust Income
Aging and Disability
Dementia: Responding to the Signals of Potential Incapacity
The Role of Conservators in Protecting Vulnerable Adults
Caregiver Compensation: Being Fair to Relatives Who Provide Care
Filial Support: Can You Be Billed for Your Parent’s Nursing Home Care?
Estate Planning and Marriage
New to Arizona? Our Community Property Laws May Conflict with Your Estate Plan
Parents: Include Guardianship Nominations in Your Estate Plan
Right to Occupy: After Your Death, Would Your Spouse Be Able to Stay in Your Home?
Remarriage and the Kids' Inheritance
Estate Planning and Unintended Consequences of Marital Separation
Should a Prenuptial Agreement Be Part of Your Estate Plan?
Tying the Knot in Retirement: Do You Need a Prenuptial Agreement?