Wills Lawyer

​A will is a legal document that provides specific instructions on how your assets should be distributed and how your affairs should be handled after your death. Without one, the state determines who inherits your property, which may not align with your wishes.

​To write a will, you must list your assets, designate beneficiaries, name an Executor (called a Personal Representative in Arizona), and appoint guardians for any minor children. While you can draft a simple document yourself, it must meet specific Arizona legal requirements to be valid and enforceable in court.

​A wills lawyer ensures your document is legally binding, minimizes administrative costs, and clearly articulates your wishes to prevent confusion. They help you navigate complex family dynamics and structure your estate plan to avoid “unintended consequences” that generic forms often overlook.

​A will only goes into effect after death and typically requires a public probate process to validate. A trust is effective immediately, can be used to manage assets while you are alive, and generally allows your estate to bypass probate, offering more privacy and speed.

​While not legally required, hiring a lawyer is highly recommended if you have minor children, own real estate, own a business, or have a blended family. A professional ensures your plan actually works when it matters, preventing expensive legal battles for your family later.

​Your checklist should include a full inventory of assets (real estate, accounts, investments), a list of beneficiaries, a chosen Executor (called a Personal Representative in Arizona), and a guardian for minor children. You should also consider including specific instructions for digital assets, pets, and funeral arrangements.

​The cost varies depending on the complexity of your estate and whether you need additional planning documents like trusts or powers of attorney. Copper State Planning offers competitive pricing for comprehensive plans designed to save your family money in the long run.

​You can update your will by creating a “codicil” (a legal amendment) or by revoking the old will and writing a new one. You should never simply cross out or write over the original document, as this can invalidate the entire will or lead to court disputes.

​You can name almost any competent adult to be your Executor (called a Personal Representative in Arizona), including a spouse, adult child, close friend, or a professional fiduciary. It is best to choose someone who is organized, trustworthy, and capable of handling administrative tasks during a stressful time.

​To avoid disputes, use a wills lawyer to draft clear, unambiguous terms and document your mental capacity at the time of signing. Discussing your decisions with family members beforehand and avoiding “DIY” wills significantly reduces the grounds upon which a will can be contested.

​If you die without a will in Arizona, you are considered “intestate,” and the state’s default laws dictate who inherits your property. This often means assets are split between a spouse and children in ways you might not have intended, and the court will choose guardians for your minors.

​Yes, you can use your will to designate a caretaker for your pets and set aside funds for their care. Since pets are considered property under the law, they cannot inherit money directly, so a specific provision or a pet trust is necessary to ensure their well-being.

​A Pour-Over Will is a specific type of will used in conjunction with a Revocable Living Trust. It acts as a safety net, ensuring that any assets you neglected to transfer into your trust while alive are “poured over” into the trust through the probate process upon your death.

​Arizona recognizes handwritten (holographic) wills if the signature and material provisions are in the testator’s handwriting. However, these are frequently challenged in court due to vague language or lack of witnesses, making a formal attorney-drafted will a much safer option.

​You should review your will every three to five years or whenever you experience a major life event. Significant changes such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the acquisition of new assets are immediate triggers to contact your wills lawyer for an update.