MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE
Minimize costs and confusion at the time of your incapacity or death.
Leave no doubt about your wishes and preserve more of your assets for your heirs.
OUR ESTATE PLANNING PROCESS
STEP ONE
Review our Estate Planning Legal Fees to ensure you are comfortable with my pricing as fees are due at your initial estate planning session.
STEP TWO
Once you have decided that Nicole is the right attorney for you, schedule your virtual 45min Estate Planning Session. Upon scheduling, you will receive a link to an intake worksheet to be completed prior to your meeting. Then, at your scheduled time, you will meet privately with Nicole, via video, or by phone.
STEP THREE
Complete your client intake worksheet. This worksheet will guide you in gathering family information and basic asset information as well as explain the documents Nicole will prepare for you. This will serve as the agenda for your session and is the only thing you'll need for the meeting.
STEP FOUR
After your Estate Planning Session Nicole will have all of the details necessary to prepare your Estate Plan. Within two weeks of your session, Nicole will send you draft documents as well as a personalized explanatory video, from her, educating you on your estate plan and providing an overview of each of your documents.
STEP FIVE
Document Signing: When it comes time to sign your final documents, you will schedule a signing appointment at our Phoenix office. Our staff will act as your notary and two witnesses. Upon completion of signing, you will take possession of the original documents and our office will keep a digital copy.
ESTATE PLANNING LEGAL FEES
Free 15 minute consultations
Fees listed below are due at your initial estate planning session
PACKAGE PRICING
Wills (only)
$550 Single $715 Couples
A Last Will and Testament is a written document with instructions for disposing of assets after death. A will can only be enforced through the probate court.
Will Packages
$1100 Single $1375 Couples
Packages include Last Will and Testament, Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, Living Will, HIPAA Waiver and Beneficiary Deed.
Trust Packages
$2200 Single $2750 Couples
Packages include everything in Will Package (minus the Beneficiary Deed) plus Revocable Living Trust, Certification of Trust and Warranty Deeds to transfer residence and one additional Arizona property to the Trust. (Deeds for any additional Arizona properties will be $200 each)
A LA CART PRICING
Financial Power of Attorney
$300 Single $350 Couples
Health Care Power of Attorney, Living Will & HIPAA
$350 Single $450 Couples
Trust (ONLY-would not include powers of attorney)
$1375 Single $1650 Couples
Amendment to Existing Trust (ONLY)
$500 Single $600 Couples
Fees for an amendment can vary and would be based on the extent of the amendments. This would not include any amendments to powers of attorney. Typically estate plans that are more than 10 years old and/or from out of state, the fees for the above Will or Trust Packages will apply.
Deeds
$300
Discounted for multiple.
ESTATE PLANNING SERVICES
ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Last Will and Testament: A written document with instructions for disposing of assets after death. LEARN MORE
Durable Power of Attorney: A legal document that gives another person full or limited legal authority to sign your name on your behalf in your absence. Valid through incapacity. Ends at death. LEARN MORE
Health Care Power of Attorney: A legal document that lets you give someone else the authority to make health care decisions for you in the event you are unable to make them for yourself. Also called a health care proxy or medical power of attorney. LEARN MORE
Living Will: A legal document that states you do not wish to be kept alive by artificial means when the illness or injury is terminal.
HIPAA Waiver: This document allows your health care providers to discuss any aspect of your medical information with those individuals you give such authority.
Revocable Trust: A trust in which the person setting it up retains the power to change (revoke) or cancel the trust during his/her lifetime. It holds assets for the benefit of certain other persons or entities. LEARN MORE
Certification of Trust: A shortened version of a trust that verifies the trust’s existence, explains the powers given to the trustee, and identifies the successor trustee(s). Does not reveal any information about the trust assets, beneficiaries, or their inheritances.
Deed: Document that allows you to transfer title to real estate. With a warranty deed, the person guarantees that the title being transferred is clear (free of any encumbrances).
WHICH DOCUMENTS DO YOU NEED?
YOU NEED A WILL IF:
- You have minor children for whom you want to name a guardian.
- You want to ensure that when you pass away, your assets go to your spouse and not your children from a prior marriage.
YOU NEED A DURABLE GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY IF:
- You want to avoid a guardianship proceeding if you are incapacitated.
- You want to give your loved ones control of your finances if you are incapacitated.
- You have a college-age child and you want to be able to legally handle their finances now that they have reached adulthood.
YOU NEED A HEALTHCARE POWER OF ATTORNEY IF:
- You want to disclose your choice to be buried or cremated, as well as any special wishes regarding your final disposition.
- You want to clarify your wishes and intentions regarding organ donation.
YOU NEED A LIVING WILL IF:
- You want to make your wishes clear so your family doesn’t have to decide if they should take you off life support if you’re terminal.
YOU NEED A TRUST IF:
- You want to ensure your beneficiaries don’t receive their inheritance in one lump sum.
- You want to avoid probate for your loved ones.
- You want to prevent your spouse from changing the plan you created together.
- You have real property in multiple states.
A FEW FACTS FOR MARRIED COUPLES TO KEEP IN MIND
- All spouses need a power of attorney to avoid issues handling financial accounts and assets on behalf of their spouse.
- All spouses who have children from a prior marriage need a will to ensure their spouse inherits everything.
- All married couples need a living will to prevent family members arguing over whether to “pull the plug.”
- All married couples could have a probate in another state if assets are not titled in a trust.
- All married couples with minor children need a will to designate guardians, otherwise a judge will make the decision.
Also, while I have served the LGBT community before the legalization of same-sex marriage in Arizona in 2014 and nationally in 2015, since that time I’ve seen a steep decline in same-sex couples seeking estate planning services. Same-sex couples, do not assume marriage affords you rights that render an estate plan unnecessary. Unfortunately, this assumption is false and makes same-sex couples more vulnerable now than ever before.
ESTATE PLANNING IS AN IMPORTANT STRATEGY
FOR EVERYONE, NO MATTER AGE OR WEALTH.
If you leave unanswered questions about how to settle our affairs, life for those we love could be even more difficult.
That’s why answering questions now—and formalizing them in an estate plan—is an important step that shouldn’t wait.
If you don't make a plan while you're alive and able, state law will decide for you after you're gone.
Take your first step toward peace of mind for your loved ones today.
CLIENT REVIEWS
Nicole Pavlik is an outstanding Phoenix estate planning attorney. Yes, I have had more than one experience with estate planning attorneys. I am so glad we found Nicole to assist my son and I with our estate planning.
Nicole is Professional but not stuffy, responsive, and provides everything you need to get it done right the first time. Her office staff is simply amazing!
I highly recommend contacting Nicole to see how she can help you!
- Vicki Hilb
We had an excellent experience working with Nicole's firm on our wills and estate planning.
We were able to provide all our information online, and have conference calls to review details and discuss options. Once we had documents to sign, we were able to safely go to Nicole's offices to do that. All the finalized documents were provided to us in both paper and electronic format. This could not have gone better.
We will definitely be using Nicole for any future legal needs!
-Suzanne Adnams
Nicole prepared an estate plan for my wife and I as well as another family member.
As we learned through the process there are multiple parts to an estate plan, and it can seem overwhelming. However, Nicole has all the components well organized, and was always available to answer questions and provide clarification if needed. She kept the entire process moving forward, us informed, and explained the legalese in laymen terms so we never felt confused.
We are extremely satisfied with the final product and highly recommend Nicole; she is an excellent attorney and just a very nice person.
-Danny Gunn
ESTATE PLANNING RESOURCES
What Does an Estate Plan Cost?
The price of creating an estate plan in Phoenix varies dramatically depending on the attorney that you use. For instance, the Nicole Pavlik Law Firm provides top-rated services at fair, upfront pricing, so planning for your future can be affordable. Typically, her services are handled on a flat fee basis. Below is an outline of…
Read MoreAdding a Trust to Your Estate Plan
Trusts are valuable estate planning tools that many people should consider adding to their Phoenix estate plans. There are many different types of trusts that may offer unique benefits to you and your family. In the Phoenix area, if you are interested in adding a trust to your estate plan, contact Nicole Pavlik, an experienced…
Read MoreShould I Provide For My Stepchildren As Well As My Biological Children?
Whether or not to include stepchildren in your Phoenix estate plan is a very personal decision. There is no legal obligation to include stepchildren in Arizona, so the choice is entirely your own and should be given a thoughtful consideration. Sometimes couples in second marriages agree that each parent should leave an inheritance to their…
Read MoreCharitable Giving in My Estate Plan
For many individuals, charitable giving is a large part of their lives. Continuing this tradition after your death by including charitable giving in your estate plan is a wonderful way to help cherished organizations. Done properly, charitable giving can also result in substantial tax benefits. There are many different ways that you can include charitable…
Read MorePlanning for Incapacity is Part of Estate Planning
Many people do not realize that estate planning includes more than planning for the distribution of your property after your death. A significant part of estate planning deals with planning for incapacity. This means planning for your healthcare as well as financial decisions if you become incapacitated. An individual is considered incapacitated when they cannot…
Read MoreSecond Marriages and Estate Planning
It is critical to update your estate plan every time you experience a significant life event, such as getting married. Individuals getting remarried face unique estate planning challenges. If you do not plan carefully, you could neglect certain family members or cause family discord. An experienced Phoenix estate planning attorney can ensure that you have…
Read MoreHow Do I Select a Beneficiary?
Selecting your beneficiaries is one of the biggest decisions you make when creating an estate plan. Below is some information that will help you decide who to pick as your beneficiaries in Phoenix, Arizona. What is a Beneficiary? A beneficiary is a person or entity you legally designate to inherit assets from you. Beneficiaries are…
Read MoreWhat If I Die Without a Will?
What is Intestate Succession? When a person dies without a will in Arizona, it is called dying intestate. Arizona has intestate succession laws that dictate who administers your estate and how it is distributed if you die without a will. Because you did not create a will, the state decides how the property is distributed.…
Read MoreWho Should I Choose for Power of Attorney?
A power of attorney is an important tool to include in every Phoenix estate plan. It is a document where you appoint someone to act on your behalf regarding legal, financial, or medical matters. There are two main types of powers of attorney that you should include in your Phoenix estate plan: a health care…
Read MoreDo I Have to Be Wealthy to Have an Estate Plan?
It is a common misconception that estate plans are only for the wealthy. No matter what your net worth is, you should have an estate plan. What is an Estate Plan? An estate plan is a series of documents that allow you to leave important instructions about what should happen to your property, children, and…
Read More
PROTECT YOUR WISHES & PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE WITH TAILORED LEGAL SOLUTIONS
© 2014-2022 Nicole Pavlik Law Firm