FOUR PEAKS PLANNING INC. will help you understand how an estate plan is created using documents such as wills, living trusts and powers of attorney. If you are creating an estate plan for the first time, estate planning concepts are quite straightforward and the process may be less complex than anticipated.
The various planning strategies on this site will help you identify your core needs, both short-term and long-term. You'll find our services personable and affordable.
Guardians for Children. Without a Will appointing guardians, children will
be awarded to the state of Arizona, who will name their guardians.
Controlling Distributions. Avoid having young beneficiaries potentially receive a large sum of money (including life insurance payouts) at age 18 until a more mature age is reached.
Avoiding Probate. Families can protect themselves from the
tiring and costly probate process to transfer their estate to beneficiaries using Revocable Living Trusts.
Minimizing Taxes. Unless your estate is over the estate tax limit (currently $2 Million), your estate will likely have no estate taxes due.
Revocable Living Trusts - An investment in family protection
Affordable Arizona attorney-prepared estate plans that include revocable trusts offer many benefits to families such as:
The process of creating a living trust can be broken down into three basic steps:
Narrowing down choices for Trustees, Powers of Attorney, Guardians and Beneficiaries
Creating your Revocable Living Trust documents
Transferring your assets into your Revocable Living Trust
Start at home
Estate planning is a new experience for most people as are the concepts of a living trust.
Our FREE estate planning questions will help you identify potential appointees (guardians, powers of attorney, etc.) and breakdown how you wish to distribute your estate.
Before you meet with a planner, use our FREE guide to understand the difference between a revocable living trust vs will.
Creating and implementing your plan with us typically consists of two one-hour meetings. Because we want people comfortable during meetings, we'll visit your home or work at a time that works for you.
We provide estate plans for accountants, insurance agencies and financial planners throughout Arizona. Because we do a great job caring for their clients, these businesses are happy to allow us use of their meeting locations should you prefer an office setting.
Transfer your assets to the living trust
The step is essential for your estate to avoid probate. Probate is for your benefit to ensure the rules of your will are followed (if you die without a will, the state has one for you). Probate can take time (average 6 - 18 months) and cost money if attorneys are needed. Probate in Arizona affects estates with real estate valued over $75,000 or other assets totaling more than $50,000.
"At any given time, there are more than 25,000 pending probate cases of all kinds in the county. Although the term "probate" refers only to establishment of the validity of a will, the judges and court commissioners assigned to the Probate Court are responsible for a broad variety of matters in addition to decedents' estates. Most of the new probate cases filed involve decedents' estates. But the vast majority are resolved informally without the involvement of a judge or court commissioner. Only when there is a dispute does the judicial officer have to become involved." www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Assets are transferred by changing the title of assets from your name to your trust's name. If you appoint yourself Trustee of your revocable living trust, you control the assets you place in your living trust. Upon an incapacitation your appointed Successor Trustees act in a manner similar to a Financial Power of Attorney.
Your trust will out-live you
After the last Trustor passes, your Successor Trustees controlling distribution of your trust are legally bound to follow your instructions. Most living trusts include No Contest Clauses revoking inheritances of any beneficiaries contesting the trust.
Take advantage of our convenient planning. We offer at-home consultations or office consultations based on your preference and convenience. Evening and weekends appointments are available. Call to schedule an appointment.
Planning sessions are complimentary. Our meetings are opportunities for education, not sales presentations. Our focus is creating informed
decision-makers. We make recommendations upon your request.
Expect commitment.
Complimentary reviews of your plan are recommended every couple years or more frequently as needed to adjust for changes in your life. Several times a year we hold living trust review sessions when clients stop in for as long as they like to review their trust and ensure assets have been titled properly.
Living Trust costs in Arizona
Using our estate planner and attorneys the Revocable Living Trust packages, regardless of your estate's size, are $750. Our attorneys are Thomas H. Leavell and Kenneth J. Hill and may be viewed on the Arizona State Bar website.
Your Revocable Living Trust package will include the following documents:
Revocable Living Trust - (A, A-Disclaimer / Bypass Trust, A-B or A-B-C)
Durable Power of Attorney
HIPAA Releases for Powers of Attorney
Last Will and Testament
Living Will
Community Property Agreement
One deed to transfer an Arizona property into your trust
Are there additional costs or fees?
There are no additional costs or attorney fees from us for the above planning package. However, if you require additional Arizona deeds, we can prepare and record them for $14-$18 (depending on county). For non-Arizona deeds, we recommend you find someone in that state to prepare your deeds. Department of Motor Vehicle retitling fees are typically less than $15 per vehicle. Amendments for living trusts average $50-$100.
Contact us today to get your estate plan started by calling (480) 229-6220 or (623) 748-1711. Print our Arizona estate planning questions or print your answers to online estate planning questions. Don't forget to print our living trust and will chart.
Important:
Please consult with Four Peaks Planning, Inc. before undertaking any
actions. The
information in this website is provided with the understanding that the
publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, tax or investment
advice. While every attempt has been made to provide current and
accurate information, neither the author nor the publisher can be
held accountable for any errors or omissions. You agree not to hold
any employee of Four Peaks Planning, Inc. liable for action you
take from the information on www.fourpeaksplanning.com.
Our attorneys prepare living trusts for Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Phoenix, Ahwatukee, Glendale, Fountain Hills, Peoria, Sun City, Maricopa, Pima, Tucson, Flagstaff, Sun Lakes and other Arizona cities.
Found us on the web?
Choose Four Peaks Planning as your estate planner with confidence. We provide services for clients of many financial planners and insurance agents in Arizona. Feel free to contact any of the references below.
Reference - Read more
I am a State Farm agent. I have many customers that have a long over due need to put their estate in order. Estate Planning, including a living trust, is NOT just for the more affluent. Most of my customers have average incomes and certainly need to complete their estate plan.
To date I have directed all of my clients to Jamie Kahn of Four Peaks Planning. He is professional and keeps the entire process simple.
If you are wondering if you need an Estate plan... you do! Contact Jamie to find out how easy your plans can be put into action.
Roger Morsch Insurance agent Chandler, AZ (480) 855-4632 - Daytime www.EastValleyIns.com
Reference - Read more
Jamie and I have worked together for a number of years as he has helped my clients with their Estate Planning. I find Jamie to be very professional, patient, and positive. He delivers face-to-face service and cares about his clients and their individual needs.
I have worked with several Estate Planners and one thing that sets Jamie apart from everyone is his dedication to education and follow-up. When he completes a trust it is truly complete and he has ensured his clients have covered all the details to keep their estates secure. Jamie and Four Peaks Planning adds real value to my business. Thank-you, Jamie, for running an ethical, personal, and professional business.
Christine Lobdell Raney Financial Planner Chandler, AZ (480) 899-0106 - Daytime
Reference - Read more
I met Jamie, owner of Four Peaks Planning, at an estate planning seminar that Edward Jones was hosting and after hearing him talk about the importance of a trust and a will I knew I wanted to meet with him. I had a little trouble convincing my new husband and he was sort of set on just doing a will. I set up an appointment with Jamie and he was very accommodating to our hectic schedule.
When he showed up at our home he did a fantastic presentation on why we needed both the will and the trust. My husband was convinced and was impressed with how sharp Jamie was. He covered all of the issues with us, and even helped diffuse a possible argument regarding dividing our assets.
Jamie is very detailed, organized and did exactly what he said he was going to do. I feel so much better now knowing that we took the time and invested the small amount of money Jamie charges to have some security for our kids if the need were to arise. I recommend meeting with Jamie and protecting yourself and your family!
Julie Varland Comm. Telecomm. Qwest, Chandler, AZ (602) 745-5308 - Daytime
Success is a journey, not a destination. Happiness is to be found along the way, not at the end of the road, for then the journey is over and it is too late.
- Robert R. Updegraff
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Revocable living trust estate planning lawyers and attorneys in Arizona - Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Sun Lakes, Glendale, Sun City, Peoria, Payson, Flagstaff and Tucson. Revocable living trusts, wills, power of attorney, living will; avoid probate, guardians for children, estate taxes, attorney, lawyer - estate plan
Creating and implementing your plan with us typically consists of two one-hour meetings. Because we want people comfortable during meetings, we'll visit your home or work at a time that works for you.
We provide estate plans for accountants, insurance agencies and financial planners throughout Arizona. Because we do a great job caring for their clients, these businesses are happy to allow us use of their meeting locations should you prefer an office setting.
Living trusts are known for easily accommodating unique requests, such as 
