Estate planning for families

For most Arizona families, the point of an estate plan is not taxes. It is the knowledge that if something happens, the people you love are cared for by the people you trust, in the way you would have chosen.

Guardianship designations

Naming a guardian for your kids is the first thing most parents think about, and often the last thing they actually put in writing. A properly drafted guardianship designation tells an Arizona court who you want raising your children, and who the backup is if your first choice cannot serve.

Multi-generational asset protection

A revocable trust with the right provisions lets you pass assets to your children in a way that protects what they receive from creditors, divorces, and their own poor decisions at 19.

Special needs planning

If you have a child with disabilities, a special needs trust protects their eligibility for SSI and Medicaid while still giving them the benefit of what you leave behind.

Powers of attorney

Healthcare and financial powers of attorney let someone you trust step in if you are ever incapacitated. Without them, your family may have to go to court to make decisions on your behalf.

Blended family considerations

If your family is blended, the default rules almost never produce what you would actually want. See our blended families life stage page for more on how we handle this.

Why Arizona community property rules matter

Arizona is a community property state. That affects how your home, retirement accounts, and other assets are titled and what happens to them at death. A plan built for a California or Texas family may not hold up here.