Estate Planning Lawyers for Surprise, Arizona
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Meet some of our Surprise Estate Planning Lawyers
Phocus L.
G'day, my name is Michele! I work with startups, entrepreneurs and small/medium-sized businesses across the country in a wide array of industries. I help them with all of their ongoing, daily legal needs. This includes entity formation, M&A, contract drafting and review, employment, asset sale & acquisition, and business sales or shareholder exits. I'm half-Australian, half-Italian, and I've lived the last 20+ years of my life in America. I've lived all over the USA, completing high school in the deep south, graduating cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis, and then cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center. After law school I worked for the Los Angeles office of Latham & Watkins, LLP. After four intense and rewarding years there, I left to become General Counsel and VP of an incredible, industry-changing start-up called Urban Mining Company (UMC) that manufactures rare earth permanent magnets. I now work for Phocus Law where I help run our practice focused on entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs. I love what I do, and I'd love to be of help! My focus is on providing stress-free, enjoyable, and high-quality legal service to all of my clients. Being a good lawyer isn't enough: the client experience should also be great. But work isn't everything, and I love my free time. I've been an avid traveler since my parents put me on a plane to Italy at 9-months old. I'm also a music nut, and am still looking for that perfect client that will engage me to explain why Dark Side Of The Moon is the greatest album of all time. Having grown up in a remote, and gorgeous corner of Australia, I feel a strong connection to nature, and love being in the elements.
Samuel R.
My career interests are to practice Transactional Corporate Law, including Business Start Up, as well as Real Estate Law, Estate Planning Law, and Intellectual Property Law. I am currently licensed in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Utah, after having moved to Phoenix from Philadelphia in September 2019. I currently serve as General Counsel for a bioengineering company. I handle everything from their Business Transactional Agreements, Private Placement Memorandums, and Corporate Structures to Intellectual Property Assignments, to Employment Law and Beach of Contract settlements. Responsibilities include writing and executing agreements, drafting court pleadings, court appearances, mergers and acquisitions, transactional documents, managing expert specialized legal counsel, legal research and anticipating unique legal issues that could impact the Company. Conducted an acquisition of an entire line of intellectual property from a competitor. In regards to other clients, I am primarily focused on transactional law for clients in a variety of industries including, but not limited to, real estate investment, property management, and e-commerce. Work is primarily centered around entity formation and corporate structure, corporate governance agreements, PPMs, opportunity zone tax incentives, and all kinds of business to business agreements. I have also recently gained experience with Estate Planning law, drafting numerous Estate Planning documents for people such as Wills, Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Directives, and Trusts. I was selected to the Super Lawyers Southwest Rising Stars list for 2024 - 2026. Each year no more than 2.5% of the attorneys in Arizona and New Mexico are selected to the Rising Stars. I am looking to further gain legal experience in these fields of law as well as expand my legal experience assisting business start ups, and also trademark registration and licensing.
"Everything went very quick, I am very satisfied with the results."
Amber M.
Amber Masters has 11 years of experience as a contracts attorney, helping small businesses with an array of agreements, such as purchase agreements, master service agreements, and employment contracts. She has an extensive background assisting health care providers through practice transitions including dentists, doctors, and other health care professionals. She is a highly rated and acclaimed estate planning attorney and personal finance expert, who has been featured on CNBC, NBC, and Yahoo Finance. She successfully launched and sold a fintech startup and can empathize with the issues small and mid-size businesses face. Licensed in Oklahoma and Arizona.
"Amber was great to work with. Clear scope delivery on schedule and budget. Very helpful and efficient. Would highly recommend her."
David U.
For the last 25 years I've focused on representing businesses and entrepreneurs in transactional law deals, including LLC creation, operation and sale of businesses; real estate sales and leasing; and general contract negotiation and drafting. While I've helped all manner of businesses work out a variety of contract and business matters, I am an expert at helping clients with buying and selling commercial properties including multi-family and office projects and buildings, subdivisions, and retail shopping centers. I am also a recognized expert negotiating leases for retail and office tenants and landlords. Over 25 years I've honed my skills a lawyer at one of the largest law firms in the world, an elite real estate boutique in Aspen, Colorado and a highly regarded firm based in Denver, Colorado, before starting my own practice in 2016. Since 2016 I've been helping my clients with real estate and business deals. I'm a commercial real estate and business expert with a passion for helping clients forge successful ventures in an efficient and understandable manner.
"David was very informative during our initial call, and helped me understand the scope of work that my project needed depending on how many legal avenues I wanted addressed and covered. The work he provided was detailed and completed by the deadline that he provided."
Elizabeth A.
I represent business and consumer clients to help them address the range of legal issues that concern them including business contractual disputes, debt litigation, and related matters.
"Elizabeth was very responsive. Even though the review took longer than expected and we faced some scheduling issues, she was quickly to follow-up and adjust her schedule to finish."
March 26, 2022
Pankaj R.
I advise clients in the areas of business, trademarks, real estate, employment, and finance. My overarching goals are to unite creative people and companies to assist them in making sound legal and business decisions. I have been fortunate enough to build a fast-growing, 21st-century law firm with an amazing staff by my side. Our focus is not just on providing invaluable legal insight but creating a better all-around client experience. We provide unique subscription pricing and flat-fee options for our clients, providing billing transparency and enhanced value to all of our wonderful clients. Focus areas: contract drafting, negotiations, research, trademarks international law, entertainment, business development, entity choice; business: manager, team builder, leader, motivator. Speaking Engagements: National Business Institute (NBI) - "Business Contracts 101"
September 22, 2022
James G.
I am a lawyer in Glendale, Arizona. I have practiced in contract work including buy/sell agreements, contracts for the purchase of goods and services and real estate. I also practice in bankruptcy law and sports and entertainment law.
July 19, 2023
Courtney A.
Hello! I am a transactional attorney enthusiastic about helping entrepreneurs launch and protect their businesses. Let me know how I can support you with drafting and negotiating contracts, setting up your LLC, copyrighting creative content, or trademarking your brand. I am experienced with drafting and negotiating business contracts, including service/vendor agreements, NDAs, marketing agreements, licensing agreements, terms & conditions, terms of use, and many more! I have helped companies develop strong template agreements and strategies for contract management. My goal is to deliver a simple, stress-free client experience!
September 5, 2023
Holly W.
I am a solo legal practitioner in Tucson, Arizona who focuses on Estate Planning, Probate, Business Formation and Mediation. I have expertise and experience in not only law but as a Registered Nurse and teacher. I use this background and knowledge to provide compassionate and individualized service for my clients.
September 8, 2023
Connie M.
Copyright, trademark, and intellectual property contracts and licenses. General Business contracts. Practical and comprehensive advice and contract drafting in an efficient, no-nonsense manner. She routinely represents clients needing copyright, trademark, and intellectual property contracts and licenses in the book publishing industry, music publishing, and all aspects of art and entertainment. She has represented both sides of the table - creators and authors and corporations and businesses. After 40 years of experience she has seen most business models and structures and has worked with many general contracts in different industries.
November 5, 2023
Darren W.
My main focus is estate planning and business transactions, but I have had many practice areas throughout my career, including criminal defense and prosecution, civil litigation from neighborhood squabbles to corporate contentions. I have also worked in bankruptcy, family law, collections, employment law, and personal injury. I stand ready to assist in any area to which I feel I can be of service, but will not try to fake it if I do not know the area of law I am being asked to serve in.
December 15, 2023
Brian S.
I am a corporate lawyer with over 15 years of experience in litigation and in advising companies on a variety of legal issues, including mergers and acquisitions, securities regulations, and contract negotiations. I have a deep understanding of the technology industry and have represented numerous tech companies in my career.
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Browse Lawyers NowEstate Planning Legal Questions and Answers
Estate Planning
Fee Agreement
California
Do I need to provide my personal and assets info to an estate planning attorney before signing a fee agreement so they can begin prepping a living trust
Looking for an estate planning attorney to prep a living trust and all other necessary docs
Jane C.
No. You do not need to provide any information until you agree to work with the attorney.
Estate Planning
Life Insurance Trust
Kentucky
If a life insurance policy owner dies and the insured is still alive and it is a life insurance policy with cash value that the policy owner had taken out a loan against with the policy so withdrew some of the cash value and were not legally liable to pay that debt to the policy back, does the executor have to pay that debt to the cash value off?
My mom had a life insurance policy on my younger adult sister. My mom was the policy owner and my adult sister is the insured. My mom passed in 2022. The life insurance policy she had on my sister had cash value on it and my mom had taken some of that out when she built her house about 20 years ago. As the executor, am I required to pay that back, since my mom wasn't actually required to put the money back in the cash value if she didn't want to? Is it considered a debt that I need to pay out of the estate? The estate has the funds to pay it but I wasn't sure if it was required to pay.
Randy M.
When a policy owner takes out a loan against a life insurance policy’s cash value, that loan is secured entirely by the policy itself. It’s not a personal liability of the policy owner, and it doesn’t become a debt of the estate. The insurer tracks the outstanding balance and deducts it from the policy’s value. In your situation, your mother was the owner of a policy insuring your sister’s life. She borrowed against its cash value years ago. Because she wasn’t legally required to repay the loan during her lifetime, the obligation doesn’t shift to her estate. As executor, you don’t treat that loan as a claim against estate assets. The only impact is on the policy itself: the loan plus interest reduces the cash value if surrendered, or the death benefit if your sister eventually dies while the policy is still in force. What Happens After the Owner Dies Since your mother has passed and the insured (your sister) is still alive, the policy itself becomes part of the estate unless a contingent owner was named. That means you may have temporary control as executor. At this point you have several options: 1. Maintain the policy by continuing premiums if required. The loan remains in place and will keep accruing interest, which reduces the policy’s value. 2. Transfer ownership to your sister or another beneficiary under the will or intestacy laws. The new owner takes the policy subject to the outstanding loan. 3. Surrender the policy for its remaining net cash value, which will already reflect a reduction for the loan balance. 4. Allow the policy to lapse by discontinuing premium payments, though that wastes any remaining value. The right choice depends on the estate’s circumstances, your sister’s wishes, and whether preserving coverage has practical value. Executor’s Responsibilities Your duty as executor is to collect estate assets, pay valid debts and expenses, and distribute the remainder under the will or state law. Since policy loans are not debts of the estate, you don’t repay them out of general funds. The insurance company enforces repayment internally by adjusting the policy value. The only estate-level question is whether to hold, transfer, or surrender the policy itself. Review the Policy Contract You should review the actual policy contract to confirm ownership and rights after your mother’s death, as terms can vary. If the estate inherited the policy, the insurer will require documentation before you can act. For guidance on transferring ownership and managing the policy, it’s best to consult an estate attorney in your jurisdiction. Contracts Counsel can connect you with experienced estate attorneys who can assist with this process.
Estate Planning
Prenuptial Agreement
Massachusetts
How does a prenuptial agreement affect estate planning?
I am getting married soon and I am interested in understanding how a prenuptial agreement would affect my estate planning. I would like to know what steps I should take to ensure that my assets are protected and that my wishes are carried out after I pass away. I am also curious as to how a prenuptial agreement might affect the distribution of my assets to my family members and other beneficiaries.
Briana C.
A prenuptial agreement does not create an estate plan. But it can do two things. First, a prenuptial agreement can create a contractual promise on the part of one or both spouses to do something in particular with their estate plan (such as promising to leave the marital home to the surviving spouse, or promising to leave everything they have to the surviving spouse, or promising to set up a trust, etc. etc.). If this contractual promise is broken, the surviving spouse has a contract claim against the estate of the dead spouse. Second, and almost the opposite, in a prenuptial agreement one or both spouses can waive the rights they would otherwise have by statute, thus freeing up the other spouse to do whatever he or she wants with her estate plan. Without a prenuptial agreement, a surviving spouse is entitled by statute to inherit a certain proportion of the estate of the dead spouse (the exact proportion depends on whether or not the dead spouse has a will, and/or has surviving children). The prenuptial agreement can override these statutory rights and provide that the surviving spouse is not entitled to inherit anything from the dead spouse, except for anything the dead spouse may choose to leave the surviving spouse in his or her will.
Estate Planning
Living Trust
Illinois
Need Will or Trust
Married must include both have children from previous marriage.
T. Phillip B.
Hi. I'm not sure I understand your question. Everyone should have a will regardless of whether you have a trust. The question is whether you need a trust. A lot of that has to do with avoiding probate or some other potential uses depending on the goals and needs. But a typical family would use a trust to better organize everything and control distribution while avoiding going through the court process called probate.
Estate Planning
Power of Attorney
Texas
Power of Attorney
Revoking power attorney
T. Phillip B.
Typically anything written which indicates you are revoking it should be sufficient. It should be delivered to your agent. I would also deliver it to any banks or other places where your agent may use the POA.
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