Morris Hall, PLLC

Estate Planning Attorneys

MakePayment with multiple options
CALL NOW: 1 (888) 222-1328
  • Home
  • Our Firm
    • About Morris Hall
    • Attorneys
    • Our Team
    • Morris Hall Core Values
    • Communities We Serve
      • Carefree
      • Chandler
      • Flagstaff
      • Mesa
      • Oro Valley
      • Phoenix
      • Prescott
      • Scottsdale
      • Sedona
      • Tucson
    • Career Opportunities
  • Estate Planning Services
    • Advanced Estate Planning
    • Asset Protection
    • Power of Attorney
    • Trust Administration and Probate
    • Wills and Trusts
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Do I Need an Estate Plan?
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Elder Law Resources
      • Phoenix Elder Law
      • Tucson Elder Law
    • Estate Planning Problems
    • FAQs
    • Probate Resources
      • Probate
      • Flagstaff Probate
      • Phoenix Probate
      • Sedona Probate
      • Tucson Probate
    • Published Books
      • Don’t Go Broke in a Nursing home
      • Tax Free Money for Long-Term Care!
    • Recent Law Changes and Improvements Affecting Arizona
      • Update My Living Trust
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • What to Do When Death Occurs
      • What Not To Do When Someone Dies
      • Who To Contact After A Loved Ones Death
  • Reviews
    • Testimonials
    • Review Us
  • Locations
  • Events
    • Seminars / Webinars
    • Past Webinar Recordings
  • Contact
    • Consultation Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Discounts

How To Select An Estate Attorney

estate-planning-attorney-wiselyWhen former NFL quarterback, Steve McNair, died without a Will, his family members were left to fight over his expansive estate. Immediately after his death, although news reports indicated the NFL-star had provided instructions to his family and that his wife wasn’t trying to exclude his mother from inheriting, things quickly deteriorated.

Two years later, on the anniversary of McNair’s death, his mother was sued by his widow, Mechelle, over property taken from a 45-acre ranch in Mississippi. His mother said the ranch had been a no-string attached gift from her son, but she was evicted from the ranch by Mechelle’s lawyers and asked to return $54,363 to McNair’s estate after she reportedly took items, she had purchased, from the home upon leaving.

The Importance Of Knowing How To Select An Estate Attorney

That’s why its important to know how to select an Estate Attorney. To avoid similar problems, many celebrities create a Will. A Will alone, however, is no guarantee that things will go smoother after death. The case of child-star Gary Coleman shows what can happen when estate planning is not done professionally.

Coleman signed a Will in 2005 naming his friend and the former head of his corporation as the executor and beneficiary of his estate. However, after getting married in 2007, he signed a handwritten amendment to the Will leaving his assets to his wife. The couple divorced in 2008 but continued to live together. When Coleman died in 2010, his ex-wife claimed she should inherit all of his assets. The dispute, like so many others that arise when a Will is unclear, ended up in court as Coleman’s ex-wife and his friend battled over his home, his pension, and the intellectual rights to his works.

Coleman made the mistake of failing to update his Will properly. However, there are lots of other mistakes that can be made when it comes to estate planning. For example:

  • A Will can be created without following legal requirements, including having the Will witnessed properly.
  • A new Will can be created without destroying or revoking the old one, leaving beneficiaries confused about which document should control distribution.
  • A Will could be created that leaves property to a beneficiary despite the fact that the deceased doesn’t actually have the right to do that. For example, a property held in joint tenancy will pass automatically to a co-owner after death, despite what a Will may say.
  • A Will could be created leaving assets to someone even though a beneficiary is designated elsewhere. For example, if you leave an IRA or a life insurance policy to someone in a Will, the Will won’t control the distribution of funds. Instead, the money will be paid out to whomever was named as the beneficiary of the policy or account.

These are just a few examples of the many pitfalls that can occur when you try to handle estate planning without advanced knowledge of the law. Don’t make this mistake – get help from a qualified and experienced estate planning attorney. Your beneficiaries will be grateful that you planned and spared them disputes and heartache that may occur after you are gone.

This article should be used for informational purposes only.  It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice.  If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.
MH logo

Main Office

7600 N 16th St, Ste 105

Phoenix, AZ 85020

Phone: 602-249-1328

Fax: 602-248-2887

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

For a sample Click Here

Offices

Our law firm proudly serves many areas in Arizona. See all of our locations here.

Our law firm proudly serves the state of Arizona.  See all of our locations here.

Toll Free: 888-222-1328

Mon-Thur: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Fri: 8:00am – 4:00pm

  • Linkedin
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram

Need an Estate Planning Lawyer in Arizona?

Looking for an estate planning attorney near you? We have office locations in Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, West Valley, Carefree, Prescott, Sedona, Flagstaff, Tucson, and Oro Valley in Arizona so please visit us at the location that is closest to you.

  • © 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc All rights reserved.
  • Disclaimer