Is Probate Always Required For an Arizona Estate?

If you’ve ever heard about probate, you might associate it with stress, delays, and high costs. While probate is a legal process that many estates in Arizona must go through, it’s not always a requirement. Sometimes, families can bypass probate altogether, saving time and money. So, how do you know if probate is necessary for…

Read More

Does an Arizona Estate Without a Will Require Probate?

When a loved one passes away without a will in Arizona, a question that immediately arises is whether probate is required. At PayneLess Law, we’ve guided many families through these situations, ensuring a smooth and informed process every step of the way. This guide breaks down when probate is required, how intestacy laws come into…

Read More

What Is Probate and Why Does It Matter for Your Family?

Losing a loved one is difficult, and handling legal matters shouldn’t add to the stress. Probate is a necessary process in Arizona to settle an estate and ensure assets are distributed properly. PayneLess Law™ can help you through this process with care and experience. What Is Probate? Probate is the court-supervised process that handles a…

Read More

Do IRAs Go Through Probate in Arizona?

IRA Probate

When a loved one passes, the whirlwind of emotions is often accompanied by financial and legal questions, especially around assets like IRAs. You might be wondering: Do IRAs go through probate in Arizona?  Let’s break down this process, making it as straightforward as possible so you can feel more prepared for what lies ahead. What…

Read More

Estate or Probate Litigation

What Is Estate Litigation? Estate litigation refers to any legal dispute over property bequeathed to family members and other beneficiaries in a deceased person’s will or trust. The litigators in these disputes may try to invalidate the decedent’s will for any of the following reasons: The will was never properly executed. Perhaps there were no…

Read More

Estate Administration & Probate

What is Probate? Probate officially refers to the process of establishing the validity of a will, but it also commonly refers to all the steps that need to be taken in a court supervised process to finalize a person’s affairs after death. During the probate process, the personal representative follows legal requirements to ensure that…

Read More

How to Set Up a Trust in Arizona: A Step-by-Step Guide

Estate planning might sound complicated, but it’s really about securing peace of mind. By setting up a trust, you can protect your assets, simplify the transfer of your property, and save your family from the headaches of probate. If you’re in Arizona and wondering where to start, we’re here to walk you through the process…

Read More

Arizona Laws on Inheritance When There’s No Will

No one likes to think about what happens after they’re gone, but planning ahead is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your family. In Arizona, if someone passes away without a will, the state decides how their assets are divided. This process, known as intestate succession, can leave your loved ones facing…

Read More

10 Common Estate Planning Myths Debunked

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or those nearing retirement—it’s a step every adult should consider. At PayneLess Law, we’ve seen how misconceptions about estate planning can lead to unnecessary stress, legal complications, and unmet wishes. That’s why we’re committed to helping Arizonans understand the truth behind estate planning so they can make informed…

Read More

Intestate Succession in Arizona: A Guide to Asset Distribution

When someone passes away without a will, their family is often left with more questions than answers. Who gets what? How will assets be divided? Without an estate plan, the law steps in to make those decisions, and the results aren’t always what you might expect. This is why understanding intestate succession laws in Arizona…

Read More

Executor Misconduct: When Guardians of Your Legacy Go Astray

Imagine this: you’ve taken the time to create a will, carefully choosing someone you trust to carry out your final wishes. The person you selected—an executor—holds a vital role. They’re tasked with distributing your assets, paying outstanding debts, and ensuring your legacy unfolds as you intended.  But what happens when that trusted individual fails to…

Read More

Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship in Arizona: How It Works

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or elderly. It’s an essential act of love and responsibility for anyone who wants to make life easier for their loved ones when the unexpected happens. At PayneLess Law, we’ve witnessed firsthand how preparing for the future can protect families from unnecessary stress. One important option in Arizona’s…

Read More

5 Critical Will Witness Requirements for a Valid Testament

Creating a will isn’t just about dividing assets—it’s about ensuring your voice is heard when you can no longer speak. Many people mistakenly believe estate planning is only for the wealthy or elderly, but the truth is, anyone who cares about their loved ones should have a plan in place. Arizona has specific requirements to…

Read More

Holographic Wills in Arizona: A Handwritten Legacy

a woman and a child holding a lemon

Life throws unexpected events our way time and time again, forcing estate planning to often (understandably) take a back seat. But after watching friends and clients forced to navigate the slow, time-consuming, probate process because of a lack of a Will for their loved ones that died (this is called dying intestate), it became clear…

Read More

Arizona Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts: Safeguarding Your Future

a woman sitting on a couch

Planning for the future involves more than just leaving something behind for your loved ones; you should also protect what you have while planning for your future. A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is one tool that can help families in Arizona protect assets while planning for long-term care. You don’t have to be elderly…

Read More

Video Resources

Beneficiary Deed: A Must-Know Estate Planning Tool Who Needs an Estate Plan? What is the Difference Between a Will and a Trust? What is a Revocable Trust? What is Probate?

Read More

Don’t Let Cost Keep You from Creating Your Will and Protecting Your Legacy

Will Cost in Arizona

Estate planning is an important part of securing your financial future and ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Many feel reluctant to begin the estate planning process, but wills (and other estate planning documents) secure the legacy a person leaves after they pass. Throughout the United States, more than half of…

Read More

Deeds Lawyer in Arizona

Types of Deeds in Arizona Arizona has several types of deeds, each serving a different purpose. Understanding these can help you make informed decisions about property transactions. Warranty Deed: A warranty deed offers the highest level of protection for the buyer. It guarantees that the seller holds a clear title to the property and has…

Read More

Essential Estate Planning Guide for Married Couples

Married Couple Holding Hand

Estate planning is essential for married couples, as it provides peace of mind and security for the future. Additionally, it can avoid potential conflicts and ensure all wishes are respected. During the estate planning process, we believe in an approach of open communication between spouses and the legal team involved as the foundation of a…

Read More

Probating A Will

What is Probate? While probate officially refers to the process of submitting a Will for the court to verify as valid and then to appoint a Personal Representive for the Estate, the term “probate”  often refers in a more general sense to describe all the legal requirements involved in settling a deceased person’s estate after…

Read More

Schedule Of Assets

What is a Schedule of Assets in Arizona? A schedule of assets, also commonly known as just “Schedule A,” identifies and lists your assets which will be a part of your estate plan.  It allows your estate planning lawyer to gain a full picture of your assets so that these assets can be included in…

Read More

Revocable Trusts

Personalized Assistance with Your Trust Trusts can be complex, and even a trust that is straightforward by legal standards can be confusing to someone who is not used to working with trusts on a regular basis. For that reason, PayneLess Law takes the time to explain all the attributes of your trust and how it…

Read More

Why Being In The 20% With An Estate Plan Matters

a woman sitting at a table with a man in a suit and glasses

Here’s why it matters. Estate Planning is About Your Health as Well as Your Money Although many people think they don’t need estate plans unless they have amassed a lot of valuable assets, they don’t realize that a comprehensive plan protects your health care needs, and for that reason, everyone needs to have certain estate…

Read More

How Trusts Can Protect Your Business Assets

a person holding a calculator and pen looking at a graph

When you own a business, your assets are at risk from a wide variety of threats. A lawsuit over an accident can lead to a huge judgment against you, even if you personally did nothing wrong. Or a problem with a business deal could lead to losses that drain business assets to the point where…

Read More

The True Cost Of Procrastinating On Your Estate Plan

a man and woman looking at a model house

We all procrastinate. It’s human nature to put off tasks we don’t find appealing, whether it’s hitting the gym, tackling the cluttered garage, or even writing a thank you note. Most of the time, the consequences are minor. A messy garage might cost you ten extra minutes searching for a hammer, but it won’t derail…

Read More

Pour-Over Will Lawyer in Arizona

What is a Pour Over Will? A pour-over will works in conjunction with a living revocable trust. Upon your passing, pour over will directs any assets left in your estate, meaning those assets that have not previously been transferred to your revocable trust, to be transferred into your trust. The key advantage here is seamless…

Read More

Trust Administration

Understanding Trusts Trusts are legal contracts that operate as a virtual container for holding property and a guideline for your desired handling of your assets and legacy. A trust might hold a combination of assets, including real estate, vehicles, cash accounts, and more. The property in the trust is managed by the trustee. That person…

Read More

Reviews

“Amazing attorney” Client “Excellent, straightforward legal Advice.” Client “Super efficient in setting up estate planning.” Client “Great lawyer he handles all of my Legal affairs. He’s honest precise and reliable.” Client “Payne Law office (Chris)was such a a great help to us answered a lot of the legal questions we had . Would not have…

Read More

Will Lawyer in Arizona

a person holding a pen over a piece of paper

What Does a Will Lawyer Do? A will lawyer assists you in creating a legal document that spells out your desires for how your assets should be distributed to your family and charities and, if necessary, how any minor children should be cared for after your passing. PayneLess Law take the time to develop a…

Read More

Home

A PayneLess Law™ Experience Designing your Legacy Phoenix Estate Planning, Business, and Trademark Law Schedule Your Consultation A Message from Christopher Payne Christopher Payne Profound personal loss deeply influenced my personal journey and my mission to provide thoughtful, comprehensive estate planning. My mother’s loss to Covid and the untimely death of my 20 year old…

Read More

Estate Planning

Phoenix Estate Planning Attorney A well-prepared estate plan protects your control of the distribution of your assets, your legacy, your assets, your loved ones, and ensures that your final wishes are carried out according to your desires. Without an estate plan, your loved ones may need to involve the courts (probate), an expensive and time-consuming…

Read More

Trusts

Crop protection encompasses: Pesti-cide-based approaches such as herbi-cides, insecticides and fungicides.

Read More