What is the Purpose of an Arizona Will?

You probably know someone with an Arizona will or have heard about living wills before, but you may not completely understand their purpose. An Arizona will is a lot less complicated than it may sound and when one is instated, you can protect your medical requests, your final wishes, your dependents, and your estate. Learn about the role of an Arizona will when it comes to planning for the future.

Who Does an Arizona Will Protect?

Medical Requests in an Arizona Will

With a will, you can make medical plans that reflect your wishes. In a will you can cover your decisions on life support, feeding tubes, respirators, DNRs, and so on.

Final Wishes in an Arizona Will

Final wishes covered in a living will commonly include decisions about cremation, burial, and funeral arrangements. Many people pre-arrange their funerals via a will so their families won’t have to worry about planning it while they are grieving.

Dependents to Protect with an Arizona Will

When you have a dependent, you can prearrange for guardianship should you die before they reach legal age with a will.

Assets Protected in an Arizona Will

Any assets you have, including those with and without financial value, can be divided up how you wish by planning with an Arizona will.

What Happens When You Do Not Have an Arizona Will?

When you do not have an Arizona will, your estate may be in jeopardy, as will your dependents. In most cases, if there is not a clear heir, such as a current spouse you lived with at the time of your death, your estate will enter the probate court system. From then, it will be up to a judge to determine who is entitled to your estate. This process could drag on for a very long time and end up costing your family a lot of money and time. If there are dependents left behind without an appointed guardian or surviving parent, it will be up to a family court to decide who will get your children. Additionally, if you do not have a living will, your family may have to make some very tough choices after end of life care in your final days.

Do You Need More Than an Arizona Will? Such as a Trust?

There are circumstances where additional protection is needed, such as a trust. A trust is a way you can control how your assets are actually used and you can write in certain contingencies for your beneficiaries. Trust programs also protect your wealth from debt collection or settlements against you.

Need Help?

If you are not sure as to what legal document you currently have contact one of our professionals to help you with your estate planning. They will make sure you have all of your grounds covered and have the right legal documents that best suite your wants and needs.