Your Legal Questions, Answered Here

In Arizona, a valid will must be signed by the person making it and witnessed by two people who are not beneficiaries. You can also use a handwritten (holographic) will with no witnesses if it is entirely in your own handwriting. Working with an attorney ensures the document is correctly drafted and will hold up in probate.

If you die without a will in Arizona, your estate passes under the state's intestacy laws, the court decides who inherits, based on a fixed legal formula. Your spouse, children, and other relatives receive shares according to statute, regardless of what you would have chosen. An attorney-drafted will replaces that formula with your own wishes.

A will takes effect after you die and goes through probate, a court-supervised process that is public and can take months. A living trust takes effect immediately, avoids probate, and keeps your estate private. For many families in Arizona, a trust provides more control and a faster transfer of assets to beneficiaries.

A durable power of attorney lets you name someone to manage your finances if you become unable to do so. Without one, your family may have to petition a court for a guardianship order a process that is slow, expensive, and public. Most Arizona adults benefit from having one in place before a health event forces the issue.

A healthcare power of attorney, also called a healthcare proxy authorises a trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated. It works alongside a living will and ensures that your medical wishes are followed even when you cannot speak for yourself. It is a separate document from a financial power of attorney.

Arizona requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date the divorce petition is served before a decree can be entered. An uncontested divorce with agreed terms can be finalised shortly after that window closes. Contested divorces, where property, children, or support are disputed take considerably longer, often six months or more.

Yes, Arizona is a community property state. That means most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are owned equally by both spouses and are divided accordingly in a divorce. Separate property, assets owned before the marriage or received as gifts or inheritances is generally not subject to division. The details matter and are worth getting right.

Arizona uses the terms "legal decision-making" and "parenting time" instead of custody and visitation. Legal decision-making covers major decisions about a child's education, healthcare, and religion. Courts prefer arrangements that allow both parents meaningful involvement unless one parent poses a risk to the child. An attorney helps you document a parenting plan that reflects your family's situation.

An Arizona adoption attorney handles several types of adoption: stepparent adoption, private domestic adoption, adult adoption, and relative or kinship adoption. Each type has different filing requirements, consent rules, and court hearing procedures. Having an attorney who knows Arizona's adoption statutes keeps the process moving and reduces the risk of procedural delays.

The timeline depends on the type of adoption. Stepparent adoptions with the biological parent's consent can be completed in a few months. Independent domestic adoptions take longer, typically six months to a year or more, depending on consent, home study requirements, and court scheduling. An attorney gives you a realistic timeline from the first consultation.

Bring any documents relevant to your situation, existing wills or trusts, property records, marriage or divorce certificates, or paperwork related to an adoption or power of attorney. If you are not sure what to bring, call the office beforehand. Stacie Robb works from what you have and identifies what still needs to be put in place.

McGuire • Robb serves clients across a wide stretch of west and northwest Arizona, including Wittmann, Aguila, Salome, Congress, and communities throughout the West Valley. Clients from Surprise, Buckeye, Sun City West, and surrounding areas regularly work with the firm. Our office is at 830 N. Tegner St., Wickenburg, AZ 85390.

The office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The office is closed Saturday and Sunday. You can call (928) 684-5416 during those hours to schedule a consultation or ask a question. We respond to online inquiries within one business day.

Yes. McGuire • Robb handles wills, trusts, and powers of attorney for estate planning, and divorce and adoption for family law. Stacie Robb has practiced in both areas for over 25 years. Many clients first come in for a will and return years later when a family law matter arises, having a trusted attorney who already knows your situation makes a difference.