Simple Wills

A lot of people think that they do not need a will.  This is simply not true.  A simple will is the most common way for people to state their preferences about how their estates should be handled after their deaths.  A will is the best way to transfer guardianship of minors.  You can set forth who is to receive your assets and who will be handling the representation of your estate.  You can also designate whether the personal representative will need to be bonded.  Without a will these question are left up to the state.

Wills and advanced directives provide many benefits.  Unfortunately, many estimates figure that at least seventy percent of Americans do not have valid wills.

Dying without a Legal Will in Arizona

A person that has not created a will prior to death is said to be intestate. In Arizona, if a person dies without a will the law disposes all of the property based upon Arizona law and may face complicated, time-consuming, and expensive legal process. Dying without a will can also delay the disposal of property because a legal proceeding might be required to establish who the heirs are and a personal representative may need to be assigned. The personal representative may also be required to post a bond to ensure the duties are appropriately performed.  Intestacy may mean that people who would never have been chosen to receive property of be the guardian of your children may be entitled under Arizona law.  State law does not recognize friends as heirs.  You may want a friend or a favored charity to be your heir.  Under state law, your estate will go to the state if no relatives are found.

The Advantages of Having an Arizona Legal Will

Having a will is all about having control of how your property and family are handled after your death. A will is a legal document that outlines the wishes of the person writing it with regards to distributing their property and who will raise their children after their death. Having a valid will helps eliminate the problems of dying without a will. A well-written will eases the transition for survivors by transferring property quickly and avoiding many tax burdens.  The testator can name the recipients of their property and designate the individual that will manage their property and care for their minor children.
Many people choose to disinherit people who might usually be expected to receive property. For all these examples, the testator must follow the legal rules for wills in order to make the document effective.
Choosing a Guardian
Testators who have minor or dependent children may use a will to name a guardian to care for their children if there is no surviving parent to do so. If a will does not name a guardian, a court may appoint someone who is not necessarily the person whom the testator would have chosen. Again, a testator usually chooses a family member or friend to perform this function, and often names an alternate. Potential guardians should know they have been chosen, and should fully understand what may be required of them. The choice of guardian often affects other will provisions, because the testator may want to provide financial support to the guardian in raising surviving children.

SETTING UP YOUR WILL AND ADVANCED DIRECTIVES IS IMPORTANT.

Set up an appointment today.  Do not let this sit on your to-do list any longer.  Fowler Law Office is committed to helping people get their affairs in order and providing personal service for at a great value.

I typically charge $399 for a simple will with a durable power of attorney and living will.  The exact fee will depend on the size of your estate and the complexity of your case.  We can determine the flat fee for your case at the free consultation.  602-492-2214