Free Resources for Everyone

If you have been putting off your estate plan, you are not alone. A 2025 survey found that 55% of Americans don’t have an estate plan at all. We get it! Most people delay scheduling their first estate planning meeting because it feels like a massive, overwhelming homework assignment.

With the year 2026 poised to set new records for entrepreneurship, the number of small business owners in the United States is higher than ever. With this growth, one issue is becoming increasingly important: many small businesses operate without a clear succession or continuity plan.

Real-life disputes over estates are not limited to wealthy families. And they rarely begin with greed or bad intentions. Most conflicts arise from something far more common: confusion caused by unanswered questions, unclear instructions, or unverified assumptions.

When a loved one dies, they leave behind more than properties or memories. There may be unfinished business, unanswered questions, or long-standing family tensions that were never fully resolved.

Having parents diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, is one of the toughest challenges a child can face. It can be devastating to watch the people you look up to and once relied on begin to lose their ability to think clearly, reason through decisions, and remember important moments.

A living will is perhaps one of the most important yet commonly misunderstood legal documents. It plays an essential role in a well-rounded estate plan and deals with your medical wishes while you are still alive but unable to speak for yourself.

In an age of easy access to digitized legal forms, templates, instructions, and AI, you may wonder: Can I write my own will? The short answer is yes, but there are caveats. Arizona law does allow handwritten or DIY (do-it-yourself) wills, but only if certain conditions are met.

We are currently entering a significant era in demographic and financial history. As the Baby Boomer generation—historically the most populous and industrious generation—enters its later years, we are seeing the beginning of what is known as the “Great Wealth Transfer.” Over the coming decades, trillions of dollars in assets will pass from one generation to the next.

At the core of any effective estate plan is a well-executed trust, which, in turn, begins with the question: What kind of trust do I need? It comes in two foundational types: irrevocable and revocable trusts, each serving different purposes.

Unlike what most people imagine, you don’t have to choose between a will and a trust when planning for your estate. In fact, many effective estate plans include both documents working together. One essential type of will commonly used with a trust is called a pour-over will.

Most people assume that when someone inherits money or property, they simply accept it—after all, who says no to an inheritance?

But it does happen, and more often than you might think.

It’s called “disclaiming” an inheritance, and it’s a legal process that means the heir chooses not to accept all or part of what they’ve been left. When that happens, the inheritance automatically passes to the next person in line, following the will, trust, or state law.

Estate planning for blended families isn’t just about dividing money—it’s about protecting relationships. 

By combining clear communication with the right legal tools—trusts, updated documents, and defined beneficiary designations—you can ensure your wishes are honored and your family stays united.

Living online is now the norm. As you rely on the internet to do your banking, shopping, connecting with loved ones, doing your job, and even running your business, you build a vast collection of digital assets. Use this guide to protect your digital assets and secure your online legacy.

In uncertain times, estate planning can be one of the most valuable tools in protecting your family and your future. Yet many people still underestimate its importance or dismiss it entirely. 

A financial power of attorney (POA) is one of the most powerful estate planning tools, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. When you create a financial POA, you authorize someone else to make decisions and take actions regarding your finances. Without adequate knowledge and proper precautions, however, this power can be misused, putting your assets at risk.

Estate planning is a way to care for our loved ones after we pass away. And for many of us, those loved ones include the pets who offer us companionship, comfort, and unconditional love. It only makes sense that we include them in our estate plan.

For most people, estate planning means passing wealth after life, but what about during it? When planning your estate, it is easy to overlook the protection of your wishes in case you are still living but are unable to act on your own behalf. That is the power of healthcare directives in estate planning. 

Your estate, i.e., the money, properties, and other assets you own upon your death, is the fruit of your life’s hard work and sacrifices. While you cannot take these possessions with you to your grave, you can ensure they go to the people you love or the causes you support. While you are still capable and living, it is essential that you proactively plan for the future of your estate, including protecting your estate from creditors.

If you’re like most millennials—anyone in their late 20s to early 40s—you probably agree that estate planning is important. Despite this awareness, only a small percentage of millennials have a plan in place. Why? Many believe they don’t have enough assets yet, aren’t sure where to start, or assume estate planning is something to deal with “later.”

Of all the estate planning tools out there, these two are the most popular: Living Trust and Last Will. It’s no wonder that one of the most common questions people ask us is: "Should I create a living trust or a last will?"

Dealing with bank processes is a struggle, and more so if the account is for a trust, estate, or LLC (Limited Liability Company). These accounts, unlike regular bank accounts for individuals, have added challenges related to documentation, banking policies, and legal requirements.

Estate planning is all about securing your assets and ensuring they go to the loved ones you intend, without unnecessary delays or expenses. One of the most critical steps in achieving this is avoiding probate.

When it comes to estate planning, ensuring your wealth is preserved for generations requires more than just a basic trust. That’s where dynasty sub-trusts come in—a strategic tool that protects assets, minimizes taxes, and provides long-term financial security for your family. But what exactly is a dynasty sub-trust, and how does it fit into a larger estate plan?

The executor, a pivotal figure in the management of your estate, holds the key to ensuring your wishes and intentions are faithfully carried out. A well-chosen executor can streamline the process, while a poor choice can lead to delays, disputes, higher costs, and added stress for your grieving loved ones.

As of January 2025, business owners are not required to file reports under the CTA. However, the act’s future remains uncertain as legal challenges continue. This blog breaks down the key arguments against the CTA, what these legal shifts mean for business, and how to navigate estate planning amid the uncertainty.

If you have ever been involved with settling a deceased person’s estate, then you’ve heard of the term probate. Often, going through probate is seen as an added burden to the bereaved family.

With the rise of divorce and remarriage cases in the US, blended families are becoming increasingly common. The complex and often uniquely interesting dynamics in these types of families can make estate planning a delicate process.

Sending your child to college is an exciting and significant milestone for any parent. When you’re done helping them with packing dorm essentials or setting their course schedules, we suggest you look into their most crucial legal document - the Power of Attorney (POA).

Identity thieves can steal your deceased loved one’s personal information and use it to open credit accounts, make purchases, and commit fraud. This is a growing concern as it has been reported that 2.5 million deceased Americans’ identities are used improperly each year. 

Carrying on with our blog series on sub-trusts, we now shine the spotlight on the special needs trust (SNT). When used as a sub-trust, the SNT becomes a valuable tool, offering financial support without jeopardizing the beneficiary's eligibility for essential public benefits.