What We Create We Can Protect

I started thinking of my estate planning and I want to write my Last Will. My pondering thoughts and questions are piling on:

Does it matter what I leave behind? Does it matter who gets what I own?

I am not rich, why would I bother leaving the Will. I really don’t care what happens after I die.

What happens during the probate?

How can I avoid a probate ?

I have too many creditors.

I am depressed:

Thinking of dying is very depressive. The older we get, the more depressive this subject becomes. Even with those in their young age, especially if they already built some assets and had children, accidents happen.

Human life is fragile. Our physical beings are limited in durations, our deeds survive us. But what happens with our assets, or the things we left behind.

When you die without a will, it means you have died “intestate.” When this happens, the intestacy laws of the state where you reside will determine how your property is distributed upon your death. This includes any bank accounts, securities, real estate, and other assets you own at the time of death.

Who Inherits My Assets When I Die Without A Will?

Single With No Children

Parents
Siblings (including half siblings) if both parents died
Surviving parent and siblings
If no siblings, nieces or nephews, relatives on both parents side in equal shares
Single With Children:
Children in equal shares
Surviving children’s grandchildren

Married With No Children

In community property states with the right of survivorship, all assets will go to the surviving spouse
When assets are held separately, they will be divided between the surviving spouse, siblings and parents

Married With Children

In community property states with the right of survivorship, all assets will go to the surviving spouse
If assets are held separately, your surviving spouse will receive up to one-half of the estate, with the remaining portion passing to your surviving children from another spouse or partner.

Unmarried Couples

Potentially devastating situation for the couples who are living together but are not married. Intestacy laws only recognize relatives, unmarried couples do not inherit the property of the other partner when one partner dies without a will. Unless there is a will which clearly states a person’s intentions when they die, the decedent’s property will be divided among relatives, depending on their relation to the decedent.

Domestic Partners

In states that recognize domestic partnership, your domestic partner inherits the same as a surviving spouse, depending on how you owned the property.

Debbie Sinno | Arizona Legal Document Preparation | anthemparalegal.com — Debbie Sinno, Certified AZLDP Legal Document Preparer Certified & Licensed by the State of Arizona [Arizona Codes of Judicial Administration §7-208 and §7-201]

Knowing specific Arizona Law takes years of education & study to follow the correct and accurate Statutes of Law when preparing legal documents in Arizona. I follow Arizona Statutes of Law by maintaining required business licensing & continuing education for legal document preparation.

I am Certified & Licensed with the Arizona Supreme Court to prepare legal documents in the State of Arizona. I have an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies from the Accredited American Institute of Paralegal Studies with an emphasis on Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

I stand by my quality and professionalism in the preparation of your legal documents. You can be assured that your information will be kept confidential and your paperwork will be accurate & complete. I am also a State of Arizona Notary, making frequent trips to the Courts for filing, so your legal docs will be done quickly & efficiently.

If you have any questions, just call!

~ Debbie Sinno