Estate planning is more than distributing your assets after you pass away. It is about ensuring your family is protected, minimizing potential conflicts, and making the transition as smooth as possible for your loved ones. At KEYTLaw in Scottsdale, Arizona, our team handles wills, trusts, and estate planning, providing our clients with personalized plans that give them peace of mind.
In this blog, we’ll explore why estate planning is important, how our process makes it easy, and the tools we use to ensure you have a plan that truly meets your needs.
The Importance of Estate Planning
If you have loved ones who depend on you, estate planning is crucial. It’s not just for those with large estates; anyone who owns property, has children, or wants to avoid putting their family through unnecessary legal proceedings needs an estate plan.
Q: What if I don’t have an estate plan?
Without an estate plan, your assets are distributed according to Arizona state law, which may not align with your wishes. Your loved ones could face unnecessary delays, expenses, and conflicts. Estate planning ensures your wishes are followed and your family is taken care of according to your preferences.
Beyond asset distribution, estate planning involves setting up healthcare directives, financial powers of attorney, and trusts to make sure you are covered in all aspects. It also means preparing for unforeseen situations, such as incapacity, by designating who will make decisions on your behalf.
A Family Team You Can Trust
Arizona estate planning attorney Richard Keyt and his son, Richard C. Keyt, lead KEYTLaw. With over four decades of experience, Richard has been serving Arizona families since 1980. Together with his son, who also has a background as a CPA, they bring a well-rounded perspective to estate planning—addressing both legal and financial aspects of your estate.
Richard often shares, “I’d probably be retired if I weren’t lucky enough to work with my son.” This family connection brings a personal touch to the services they provide, and that’s reflected in the hundreds of five-star reviews they have received from satisfied clients. With over 359 five-star reviews on Google, BirdEye, and Facebook, KEYTLaw is known for quality service and a compassionate approach to estate planning.
Our Simple Process
Estate planning can seem daunting, but at KEYTLaw, we have simplified the process to make it as easy as possible for our clients. Here’s what you can expect when you choose us for your estate planning needs:
- Book a Free Consultation
Your journey begins with a free consultation, which you can schedule through our website at keytlaw.com/calendar or by calling us at 480-907-3303. We offer in-person consultations at our Scottsdale office, as well as phone or Zoom consultations. During this meeting, we get to know you, understand your concerns, and answer your questions about wills, trusts, and estate planning. - Customized Document Preparation
Once we understand your needs, we prepare the necessary estate planning documents. All our documents are customized to your specific requirements using Wealth Counsel’s automatic document assembly software. Wealth Counsel is a trusted resource used by over 5,200 estate planning attorneys, ensuring your documents meet the highest standards.
Unlike firms where a single attorney drafts documents, our use of Wealth Counsel means your documents are reviewed and refined based on the input of thousands of estate planning attorneys. This collective knowledge ensures your estate planning documents are comprehensive, accurate, and legally sound.
- Sign and Secure Your Documents
Approximately one week after your consultation, you will come to our office to sign your documents. We then scan them and organize them in a red portfolio, with all documents neatly filed behind labeled tabs. Additionally, we provide you with a thumb drive that contains digital copies of all signed documents, ensuring you have both hard copies and electronic versions for easy access. - Post-Planning Support
Estate planning doesn’t end with signing your documents. One of the most important steps is properly funding your trust—transferring assets such as bank accounts and investment accounts into the trust. We support our clients throughout this process by sending follow-up emails with detailed instructions on how to transfer assets.
We also provide ongoing support by answering any questions you may have, free of charge. If you need clarification on any aspect of your estate plan, you can always call us at 480-907-3303, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Why Use Wealth Counsel?
Q: What makes KEYTLaw’s estate planning documents different?
We often get asked about the quality of our trust agreements and other estate planning documents. At KEYTLaw, we use Wealth Counsel’s automatic document assembly software, a system that was developed by estate planning attorneys to meet the unique needs of clients.
Wealth Counsel is used by over 5,200 estate planning attorneys nationwide, and over 100 lawyers in Arizona. Twice in the past 15 years, the Arizona Wealth Counsel group has come together to refine the ancillary documents used in estate planning, such as financial powers of attorney and healthcare directives. These revised documents are integrated into Wealth Counsel’s software, ensuring that our clients’ documents are as comprehensive and state-specific as possible.
By choosing KEYTLaw, you are choosing estate planning documents that have been reviewed by thousands of attorneys, rather than relying on the experience of a single lawyer. This approach ensures that your documents are reliable and reflect the best practices in estate planning.
Common Questions About Estate Planning
Q: How often should I update my estate plan?
Life changes—marriages, divorces, births, or changes in financial circumstances—can all affect your estate plan. We recommend reviewing your estate plan every three to five years, or anytime you experience a major life event. At KEYTLaw, we’re here to assist with any updates you may need to ensure your estate plan remains aligned with your wishes.
Q: What happens after I sign my estate plan?
After you sign your documents, we provide ongoing support to help you fund your trust and manage your assets. You will receive a series of emails reminding you of the steps to take, such as transferring bank accounts into your trust. This follow-up is crucial to ensure that your estate plan is fully effective.
Book Your Free Consultation Today
Estate planning is not just about documents; it’s about securing your legacy and providing for your loved ones. At KEYTLaw, we’re committed to making the process as simple and stress-free as possible. Whether you need a will, a trust, or help navigating probate, our team is here to help.
To start, book a free consultation with KEYTLaw by visiting keytlaw.com or calling 480-907-3303. Let’s create a plan that brings you peace of mind and protects the people you care about most.
