Jeromy West 
No, Arizona does not require you to hire an attorney for probate. You can file and handle a probate case yourself—the courts call this acting “pro se,” meaning representing yourself. For a simple estate with a clear will, cooperative heirs, and no fighting over money, plenty of people get through it on their own. But … Read more
Yes, in most cases a will does go through probate. Having a will doesn’t keep your estate out of court—it just tells the court what you wanted. The will is the instruction sheet probate follows, not a way around probate. That catches a lot of Glendale and Phoenix families off guard. People spend money on … Read more
Short answer: no. If your bank account, retirement account, or life insurance policy has a valid beneficiary named on it, that money skips probate entirely. When you pass away, it goes straight to the person you named, usually within a few weeks of them submitting a death certificate and a claim form. No court. No … Read more
Short answer: yes, you can avoid probate in Arizona. And in most cases, it's not complicated or expensive to set up while you're alive. The catch is that you have to do the work before you pass away. Once you're gone, your family can't go back and fix it. If you own a home anywhere … Read more
Estate planning is not just for the wealthy or elderly—it is essential for families across every part of Glendale. Glendale is a diverse city with a wide range of income levels, from the higher-value homes in North Glendale and the Arrowhead area to more modest neighborhoods in downtown Glendale. The rapidly developing Westgate area also … Read more
Losing someone is hard enough on its own. Then, before you've even had time to breathe, someone mentions probate—and suddenly you're trying to figure out what that word even means while you're still grieving. If you're here because someone close to you just passed away and you've been told their estate needs to go through … Read more
If you’ve been in a car accident here in Phoenix, you’re probably dealing with a lot more than just shock and stress, and you might be facing injuries that haven’t shown up yet. Many people who get into even seemingly “minor” crashes think they can settle with the insurance company right away. What they’re unaware … Read more
If you’re considering getting an estate plan here in Arizona, you’ve most likely heard the terms “will” and “trust” used. A lot of people assume they’re the same thing, but they’re not. And choosing the wrong one can lead to legal issues, additional expenses, and property delays. Most people don’t really know what happens after … Read more
Right now, your mind is probably racing, and you’re feeling unsure about your future. Take a breath. A DUI charge isn’t good, but it’s not the end of the road. You have rights, you have options, and how you respond in the next 15 days matters more than you might think. First, in Arizona, you … Read more