This is about your future, your family, and your legacy. You need to get it right. You need an experienced lawyer from The Law Firm of Brown & Jensen. We proudly serve clients in Mesa, Tucson, Scottsdale, Chandler, Peoria, Goodyear, Payson, and Show Low.
Answers you can trust from a Mesa Estate Lawyer
We understand how difficult it can be to come up with an estate plan, and we’re ready to help. At The Law Firm of Brown & Jensen, our lawyers have extensive experience helping families move through this process, and we’d like to share what we know with you. If you see your specific question listed here, we’d still like to speak with you directly. You can contact us today for a free consultation.
Why do I need an estate plan?
Everyone has an estate. Whether your assets are extensive or limited, whether you have children or not, you need a plan to determine what will happen to your money and property after you are gone. If you don’t have a plan, your estate could be tied up in probate court for a long time. There could be serious arguments and even legal battles between members of your family – which not only could deplete the assets in your estate, but also contribute to divisions and permanently damage relationships. Creating an estate plan is your opportunity to stop a needless crisis before it begins.
What is a power of attorney?
A power of attorney is a legal document that empowers another person to make decisions on your behalf. With respect to estate planning, a power of attorney is designated to someone to make decisions if you are incapacitated due to illness, in a vegetative state or in an irreversible coma. There are two basic types of power of attorney: a general power of attorney to manage your finances, and a health care power of attorney to manage your medical decisions. You don’t need to name the same person for each.
What is a last will and testament?
The foundation of your estate plan, your last will and testament determines what will happen to your money and property after you are gone. You will designate a personal representative, also known as an executor, to manage your affairs and distribute your assets to your heirs. Your last will and testament can be used to establish a trust, and can also appoint a guardian for surviving minor children, if any.
What is a trust?
A trust is a financial entity that safeguards some of your assets for the benefit of particular people, known as beneficiaries. You can establish a trust during your life or upon your death with your last will and testament. A trust is managed by a trustee, a person who is entrusted with the responsibility to steward the trust assets in accordance with the trust documents.
What is a living will?
A living will is a document that establishes your wishes for medical treatment if you are permanently incapacitated or in a vegetative state. If you have a health care power of attorney in addition to a living will, your living will acts as a guide for your power of attorney’s decisions.
Experienced lawyers who can help you take charge
Estate planning is a broad, complex area of law that touches every aspect of your life, from your relationships with family and friends to your finances and your career. Attorneys Scott T. Jensen and Shad M. Brown handle a full range of estate planning matters, including:
Estate Planning Documents
Planning ahead will save a great deal of time, money, and most importantly, conflict among your heirs when you near or reach the end of your life. A well-prepared estate plan is essential. Our attorneys can help you prepare all of the following documents:
Trusts
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to establish a trust to manage your resources now or after your passing. In either case, our legal team can help. Our Mesa, AZ estate attorneys know how to find the right solution for your situation, establish the trust you need, and guide it forward.
We also help Arizona families with the challenges that emerge near the end of life with comprehensive end-of-life planning services.
Our attorneys have decades of experience practicing estate law in locations throughout Arizona, including Mesa, Tucson, Scottsdale, Chandler, Peoria, Goodyear, and Show Low. Visit our Estate Planning FAQ page for more information, or hear it directly from our attorneys by watching our Estate Planning Videos.
Secure your future with help from Brown & Jensen
Our estate planning practice emphasizes personal attention and personalized solutions. You won't be delegated to a paralegal or assistant, and you won't get a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, you'll work directly with an experienced attorney from our legal team to create a unique, custom estate plan that serves your unique needs.
Creating your estate plan is one of the most important actions you'll ever take. Trust our Mesa, AZ estate planning lawyers to help you get the job done right. Contact us today for a free consultation.
