Fifty Years of Elder Law
It’s October. And that means that all things progress — to fall, to the end of the year, to the change of seasons, to Halloween. Also, it means that I have a personal milestone arriving around the bend. October 23, 1976. That was the day I stood up in a crowded convention hall and swore […]
September Wrap-up: Dolly’s Estate
This month, the biggest story in the elder law world revolves around Dolly Parton’s estate. Dolly’s Legacy Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026 at the age of 80. Prior to her death she was a super star, sequin-clad, signer-songwriter, actress and philanthropist. Her estate is estimated at about $450 million and includes her music […]
Pay Attention to What You Ask For
“Be careful what you ask for.” Your mother probably said that (or “be careful what you wish for”) dozens of times. Your high school, college and work friends say it all the time. A recent Arizona Court of Appeals case caught our eye because of what the parties had asked for. We might say that […]
Arizona Wants Your Thumbprint
Beginning next month, some Arizonans signing legal documents will have to do something new. After signing a deed or power of attorney, they’ll also have to leave a thumbprint in the notary’s journal. It sounds a little like being booked into jail. It’s actually part of Arizona’s latest effort to prevent real estate fraud. Whose […]
AI In the Courts: Elder Law Edition
A lot has been written about the dangers and problems of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the courts. First it was lawyers who let AI write their appellate briefs, without noticing the AI’s hallucinations. Some lawyers even had bar inquiries arising from their failure to double-check their AI. And lawyers blaming their staff for failure to […]
What Does It Mean to Be a “Prudent Investor”?
When someone agrees to serve as trustee, they often understand that they have a responsibility to manage someone else’s money. What they may not fully appreciate is just how much thought Arizona law expects them to put into that responsibility. The law does not simply ask a trustee to avoid losing money. It asks the […]
Can I Use Artificial Intelligence to Draft My Will?
We hear some version of this question with increasing frequency. It is a fair question. Artificial intelligence is, well, intelligent — and it seems to get more intelligent by the day. In fact, our office uses artificial intelligence regularly. AI helps us research legal issues, summarize complex documents, brainstorm ideas and break writer’s block. It […]
July Wrap Up: Learning from Celebrity Estates
Celebrity estates were top of mind this July. Check out these progress reports on the Estate of Gene Hackman, Chadwick Boseman and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Gene Hackman: Estate Administration Takes Longer Than You Think Actor Gene Hackman died in February of 2025 in his New Mexico home. He executed a valid will in 2005 and the […]
Estate Planning Changes: Lessons From Henry VIII
Estate planning changes. After centuries of stability, the law of succession has entered another period of remarkable ferment. I’ve been practicing law for just under fifty years now. When I entered law school in the early 1970s, the law of wills, trusts and estate administration seemed almost timeless. We learned from Professors Van Slyke and […]
The Four Seasons: A Last Will, and a Question No Family Wants to Ask
This newsletter contains spoilers for the Netflix show The Four Seasons. No spoilers beyond the first two episodes of Season 2. Netflix’s The Four Seasons has always been less about vacations than about relationships. The first two episodes of the new season continue that tradition by presenting a conflict that centers around a will. Summary […]
Simple Will? Maybe That Is All You Need
“I just need a simple will.” That’s one of the most common things we hear from prospective clients. Sometimes they even apologize for taking up our time. They don’t have a business. Their estate is not taxable. They don’t own multiple homes. They just want a simple will. Sometimes they’re exactly right. When someone tells […]
June Wrap-Up: Gray Divorce and Deathbed Visions
This month we’re talking about gray divorce, death bed visions and the death of American musician Oliver Tree. Gray Divorce The New York Times posted an article about “gray divorce”; that is divorce that happens later in life. Gray divorce is becoming more and more popular. The article mostly discusses the emotional reasons for divorce. […]
