HagEstad Law Group, PLLC logo

MT

Montana

(406) 203-9303

AZ

Arizona

(623) 999-1728

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Trusted Phoenix Estate Planning Lawyers

When life moves forward at Phoenix's rapid pace, safeguarding what you've built often takes a back seat to daily demands. Our estate planning attorneys at HagEstad Law Group, PLLC, recognize this reality and work to make protecting your family's interests accessible. We help Arizona families translate their hopes into legally sound plans that stand the test of time.

30+

Years of Combined Experience

1000+

Clients Served

Millions

of dollars saved for our clients

β€œ

From the moment we entered the office, Mindy was very attentive and friendly and made us feel at home. David was very professional and no nonsense and got to the point. Very informative. All the staff is outstanding. We have recommended him to several people. Great Job,

Judy Penman

5

β€œ

If you want quality and honest attorney help David HagEstad is the one for you. He makes sure his clients get the best quality representation and advocacy. I will be referring all of my friends and family to HagEstad Law Group, PLLC

Raymond Grim

5

β€œ

We highly recommend HagEstad Law Group. They are professional, responsive, extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. It was a pleasure to work with them to update our trust.

Patty A

5

Trust the Surprise, Arizona Estates, Trusts and Wills Attorneys

Why You Need Estate Planning in Phoenix, Arizona

The Valley of the Sun presents particular challenges that make estate planning more than a checkbox on your financial to-do list. Between Arizona's specific property laws and the way our desert community continues to evolve, having the right legal framework in place can mean the difference between smooth transitions and costly complications.

Consider what Phoenix families face today:

  • Complex property ownership patterns: From family compounds in Paradise Valley to investment properties scattered across the metro area, real estate holdings need careful documentation to prevent title disputes.
  • Blended family dynamics: Second marriages, stepchildren, and multi-generational households require thoughtful planning to honor all relationships while preventing conflict.
  • Business interests tied to personal wealth: Many Phoenix residents have built companies or professional practices that intertwine with personal assets in ways that demand strategic separation.
  • Cross-border considerations: With proximity to Mexico and many residents maintaining ties to other states, assets often span jurisdictions.
  • Retirement account complexities: Arizona's large retiree population means significant wealth sits in IRAs and 401(k)s that bypass standard estate documents without proper coordination.

The absence of proper planning leaves your loved ones navigating Arizona's court system during their grief, potentially losing months to legal proceedings and thousands to unnecessary fees.

Elements of a Comprehensive Estate Plan

Building an effective estate plan requires more than downloading forms from the internet. Our law firm crafts individualized strategies using various legal tools, each serving specific purposes in your overall protection scheme.

Revocable Living Trusts

These adaptable instruments serve as the cornerstone for many Arizona estate plans. By transferring property ownership to your trust while maintaining complete control during your lifetime, you create a mechanism that continues functioning seamlessly if illness strikes or when death comes.

Our attorneys structure these trusts to accommodate life's inevitable changes, like new grandchildren, shifting asset values, and evolving tax laws.

Pour-Over Wills

Even the most diligent person occasionally acquires property outside their trust. Pour-over wills act as a safety net, catching these stray assets and directing them into your trust's distribution plan. We draft these documents to work harmoniously with your broader estate structure.

Financial Power of Attorney

Incapacity planning often gets overlooked until a health crisis makes it urgent. This document empowers someone you trust to handle everything from paying bills to selling property if you cannot act yourself. Our team crafts powers that balance broad authority with specific limitations based on your comfort level.

Healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will

Medical decisions require different considerations from financial ones. These documents ensure your healthcare wishes get followed when you cannot speak for yourself, while appointing someone who shares your values to make unforeseen choices. We help clients think through scenarios they might not have considered.

Asset Protection Trusts

For those with substantial wealth or liability exposure, specialized trusts can shield assets while maintaining beneficial enjoyment. These require careful structuring to achieve protection without running afoul of creditor laws or creating tax problems.

Business Planning Integration

Phoenix entrepreneurs often find their biggest asset is a closely held company. We coordinate business succession planning with personal estate documents, ensuring operations continue smoothly while ownership transitions according to your wishes.

The Cost of Probate in Arizona

The complexity of your needs influences the cost of creating an estate plan, particularly if you have specialized assets and a high-net-worth estate. However, the costs of not creating an estate plan can dwarf those of creating wills, trusts, and other protections.

By creating an estate plan, you can avoid letting your estate pay for:

  • Executor and attorney costs
  • Filing fees
  • Probate bonds
  • Creditor notice fees

Estate planning protects your assets and simplifies their distribution without the need for expensive and time-consuming probate proceedings.

How Arizona Distributes Estates Without Planning

State law takes over when someone dies without estate documents, following rigid formulas that rarely match personal wishes. This statutory scheme creates numerous problems for surviving family members.

Arizona's intestate succession delivers results like:

  • Partial inheritance for surviving spouses: Your spouse might receive less than half of the estate if you have children from a previous relationship.
  • Court-controlled funds for minors: Children's inheritances get locked in supervised accounts with limited access for necessities.
  • Nothing for unmarried partners: Long-term companions receive no recognition under state law.
  • Exclusion of chosen family: Close friends who feel like family have no inheritance rights.
  • Forced property sales: Real estate may need liquidation when heirs cannot agree on management.
  • Business dissolution: Operating companies might close rather than continue under new ownership.

These default outcomes highlight why taking control through proper planning matters so much.

HaGestad Law Group, PLLC

Reach Out to Us Today

Don’t wait on your estate! Contact us today to speak with a seasoned attorney.

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Schedule Your Free Consultation Today!

Our attorneys can answer your questions and provide the legal advice you need to make informed decisions for your family’s future.

Our Legal Process for Estate Planning

We've refined our approach over years of practice to deliver comprehensive results while respecting your time and comfort level. Each phase builds toward documents that truly reflect your intentions.

Our Estate & Probate Law Legal Process

Discovery Session

This initial meeting goes beyond gathering financial data. We explore your family dynamics, learn about relationships that matter most, and uncover concerns keeping you awake at night. Our attorneys create a comfortable environment for sharing sensitive information.

Strategic Design Phase

After analyzing your complete picture, we develop customized recommendations addressing immediate needs and long-term goals. This isn't about selling products but finding optimal solutions for your specific situation.

Document Creation and Refinement

We translate strategies into clear, legally sound documents. Rather than overwhelming you with legalese, we explain each provision's purpose and practical effect. Your feedback shapes the final product.

Implementation Support

Signing documents marks the beginning, not the end. We guide asset transfers, beneficiary updates, and trust funding to ensure your plan actually works when needed.

Ongoing Partnership

Situations change β€” tax laws shift, families grow, assets fluctuate. We maintain ongoing relationships, suggesting updates when circumstances warrant and remaining available for questions.

Why Put Your Trust In Us?

Why Choose HagEstad Law Group, PLLC for Estate Planning in Phoenix?

Our approach combines legal precision with genuine care for the people behind each estate plan, recognizing that true value comes from understanding both the law and the lives it protects.

Experienced

Personalized Strategies

Cookie-cutter documents fail when life gets complicated. We analyze how each piece of your financial life interconnects, uncovering planning opportunities others miss. This comprehensive thinking prevents gaps that could undermine your family's security.

Approachable

Responsive Guidance

Your estate plan should evolve as you do. We track legal developments affecting our clients and reach out proactively when updates make sense. This ongoing attention means your documents remain relevant years after creation.

Affordable

Connected Legal Network

Estate planning intersects with numerous other disciplines. We maintain strong relationships with accountants, financial advisors, and insurance professionals throughout Phoenix, facilitating coordinated strategies that amplify benefits while avoiding conflicts.

Background
G. Patrick HagEstad

G. Patrick HagEstad

G. Patrick HagEstad

  • Licensed in Arizona and Montana
  • AV Preeminent Rated in Litigation, Insurance, and Professional liability by Martindale-Hubbell
David J. HagEstad

David J. HagEstad

David J. HagEstad

  • Licensed in Arizona, Montana, and Texas.
  • President of Surprise Professional Center Office Condo Association
David J. HagEstad

Brien B. Birge

Brien B. Birge

  • Licensed in Arizona and Montana
  • Specialized in Estate Planning & Insurance Litigation
David J. HagEstad

Patricia N. Morse

Patricia N. Morse

  • Licensed in Montana
  • Specialized in Estate Planning Matters & Insurance Defense Litigation
David J. HagEstad

Michael P. HagEstad

Michael P. HagEstad

  • Licensed in Montana
  • Specialized in Practice on Insurance Defense Litigation

Meet Our Estate Planning Attorneys

We bring both legal skill and personal understanding to every client interaction. Our team stays current through continuous education while maintaining the human touch that makes legal services approachable. Each lawyer here views estate planning not as document production but as relationship building for your family's benefit.

Saved Millions

of client's money

Extensive Track Record

of Achieving Client Goals

1000+

Clients Served

30+

Years of Combined Experience

Take Action to Protect Your Family's Future

Work with our estate planning attorneys who help Phoenix families create lasting security through thoughtful legal strategies.

Contact HagEstad Law Group, PLLC Today

Start the path to safeguarding your assets for your and your loved ones’ futures. We’ll guide you through every step and ensure your wishes are secured in the documentation your plan requires.

* Communication through our website does not establish an attorney-client relationship between you and HagEstad Law Group, PLLC

FAQ

FAQ

What is the difference between an estate lawyer and an estate planner?

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Estate lawyers hold Arizona bar licenses, allowing them to draft binding legal documents, represent clients in court, and provide specific legal counsel. They've completed law school and passed rigorous examinations.

Estate planners might include financial professionals, insurance agents, or others who assist with wealth strategies but cannot create legal documents or give legal advice. Our attorneys function as both β€” we handle all legal aspects while understanding broader financial implications. This dual capability means you get comprehensive solutions without coordinating multiple professionals.

What is the difference between will and estate planning?

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A will simply states who receives your property after death. Full estate planning creates a web of protections addressing numerous scenarios β€” incapacity, tax minimization, creditor protection, healthcare decisions, and efficient wealth transfer.

Think of a will as one tool in a complete toolkit. Our Phoenix law firm develops integrated plans where wills work alongside trusts, powers of attorney, and other instruments. This comprehensive approach prevents your family from facing gaps that a will alone would leave.

At what net worth do you need estate planning?

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The question isn't really about net worth β€” it's about what matters to you. Parents with young children need guardianship plans regardless of wealth. Anyone owning Arizona real estate should avoid probate complications. Those with specific healthcare wishes require advance directives. Even modest estates benefit from organized plans that spare families from court involvement.

Higher net worth does trigger additional strategies for tax efficiency and asset protection, but the foundation of good planning applies to everyone who wants control over their legacy.