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Protect Your Family’s Future with Comprehensive Estate Planning

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy—it’s for anyone who wants to protect their loved ones and ensure their wishes are honored. Let us help you create a plan that provides peace of mind.

Most people understand the importance of estate planning, yet many delay taking action. The reasons vary—it feels overwhelming, you’re not sure where to start, or you believe estate planning is only for people with significant wealth. The truth is that estate planning is essential for anyone who owns property, has minor children, or wants to ensure their healthcare wishes are followed if they become incapacitated.

At Willman Law Firm, we make estate planning straightforward and accessible. With over 30 years of experience, Paul Willman and Maitland Lonquist provide personalized guidance to help you protect your assets, minimize family disputes, and ensure your loved ones are cared for according to your wishes. Whether you need a simple will or a comprehensive trust-based plan, we’ll design a solution that fits your unique situation and goals.

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Practice Areas Overview

Wills (Last Will and Testament)

A will is essential to your estate plan. It specifies who receives your property after death, names guardians for minor children, and designates a personal representative (executor) to administer your estate. While wills typically must go through probate in Arizona, they remain a vital document even if you also have a trust.

Your will should address:
  • Distribution of personal property, real estate, and financial accounts, if you do not also have a trust
  • Guardianship nominations for minor children
  • Personal representative appointment
  • Specific bequests to individuals or organizations
  • Funeral and burial instructions

Revocable Living Trusts

A revocable living trust is one of the most effective tools for avoiding probate while maintaining flexibility during your lifetime. You maintain complete control over trust assets while you are alive and competent, and upon your death, assets pass directly to beneficiaries without court involvement.

Benefits of a living trust:
  • Avoids probate—saving time, money, and maintaining privacy
  • Remains private (unlike wills, which become public records)
  • Provides for management of your assets if you become incapacitated
  • Can include provisions for minors or financially irresponsible beneficiaries
  • Allows you to change or revoke the trust while you are alive

Living trusts are particularly valuable if want to ensure efficient asset transfer to your loved ones, you own real estate or a business, or have complex family situations.

Credit Shelter Trusts (A-B Trusts)

For married couples with significant estates, credit shelter trusts—also called A-B trusts or bypass trusts—can provide substantial estate tax savings and ensures that the wishes of the first spouse to die will be effectuated. While federal estate tax exemptions are currently high, they’re subject to change, and these trusts offer additional asset protection benefits.

These trusts split into two parts upon the first spouse’s death, maximizing estate tax exemptions for both spouses while ensuring the surviving spouse has access to assets during their lifetime, and also creates a trust that effectuates the wishes of the first spouse to die.

Powers of Attorney

Powers of attorney are among the most important—yet often overlooked—estate planning documents. They allow someone you trust to manage your affairs if you become unable to do so yourself due to illness, injury, or incapacity.

Financial Power of Attorney

Authorizes the person you choose to handle financial matters including banking, paying bills, managing investments, filing taxes, and handling real estate transactions. Without this document, your family may need to pursue a costly and time-consuming conservatorship through the courts.

Healthcare Power of Attorney

Designates someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to make or communicate your own decisions. This person can consult with doctors, access medical records, and make treatment decisions based on your instructions and wishes.

Mental Healthcare Power of Attorney

Specifically addresses mental health treatment decisions in the same way a healthcare power of attorney addresses healthcare decision-making.

These documents are essential for everyone over age 18, not just older adults. Accidents and unexpected illnesses can happen at any age.

Healthcare Directives (Living Wills)

Healthcare directives, sometimes called living wills, specify your wishes regarding end-of-life medical care. These documents guide your family and medical providers if you’re terminally ill or permanently unconscious.

You can indicate preferences regarding:
  • Life-sustaining treatment
  • Artificial nutrition and hydration
  • Resuscitation efforts
  • Organ donation
  • Pain management

Having these wishes documented prevents your family from having to make agonizing decisions during emotionally difficult times. If you would like, we can also assist you in preparing Do Not Resuscitate instructions.

Beneficiary Deeds

Arizona allows beneficiary deeds for real estate—a simple tool that transfers property to named beneficiary or beneficiaries upon your death without probate. The deed is recorded during your lifetime but doesn’t take effect until death, and you can revoke or change it anytime. You remain in complete control of the real estate and can sell it, lease it, or use it as collateral during your lifetime.

While beneficiary deeds can be useful, they should be coordinated with your overall estate plan to avoid unintended consequences.

Trust Administration

After creating a trust, proper administration ensures it functions as intended. We assist trustees with:

  • Understanding fiduciary responsibilities
  • Asset transfers into the trust
  • Trust amendments when circumstances change
  • Post-death trust administration
  • Beneficiary distributions
  • Trust accounting and tax filings

Why Choose Willman Law Firm
for Estate Planning

Three Decades of Experience

Paul Willman has practiced estate planning law since 1994, bringing extensive knowledge of Arizona estate law and estate planning strategies.

Personalized Service

We take time to understand your unique family situation and goals. Estate planning isn’t one-size-fits-all—your plan should reflect your values and priorities.

Stability

The firm has been providing exceptional service since 1998 and will continue to do so well into the future. As a family-oriented firm, we have recently added a second generation of attorneys to provide outstanding, ongoing representation for decades to come.

Practical Approach

We focus on creating plans that work in the real world, not just on paper. Our goal is to provide effective, cost-conscious solutions that provide you peace of mind.

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FAQs

Common Estate Planning Questions

Do I need an estate plan if I don’t have much money?

Yes. Estate planning addresses more than just asset transfer. It includes naming guardians for minor children, making healthcare decisions if you’re incapacitated, and ensuring your wishes are followed. Everyone with minor children or any assets should have at least a basic estate plan.

What’s the difference between a will and a trust?

A will takes effect at death and typically must go through probate court. A revocable living trust holds your assets during your lifetime and distributes them at your death without probate. Trusts offer more privacy, flexibility, and avoid probate costs and delays.

How much does estate planning cost?

Costs vary based on the complexity of your situation and the documents needed. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your needs and provide clear fee information. Estate planning is an investment that can save your family significant time, money, and stress later.

Can I use online estate planning services?

While online services may seem convenient, they produce generic documents that may not address Arizona-specific laws or your unique circumstances. Improper or incomplete estate planning can lead to costly problems—contested wills, unintended tax consequences, or invalid documents. Professional guidance ensures your plan is comprehensive, legally valid, and truly protective.

Take the First Step Today

Estate planning gives you control over your future and provides invaluable protection for your loved ones. Do not wait until it’s too late—contact Willman Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.

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Willman Law Firm serves clients throughout Tucson and Southern Arizona. Our office is conveniently located in East Tucson at 3430 E. Sunrise Dr., Suite 130.

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