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These rules apply in cases where the deceased person fails to leave a will or where not all of the decedent’s assets are disposed of by the will.

The term “probate” refers to the legal procedure for the administration of a deceased person’s estate. In many cases, probate is a quick and efficient way to transfer the assets of a person who has died to his or her heirs. 

Settling a living trust means administering and managing the trust according to the terms of the document. The person responsible for settling a trust is either the surviving trustee or the successor trustee.

The general duty of a trustee is to administer the trust expeditiously for the benefit of the beneficiaries.

A trustee cannot transfer his office to another or delegate the entire administration of the trust to a co-trustee or another.

If more than one trustee is acting, the trustees own the trust assets with survivorship rights similar to those of joint tenants.

Once the trust agreement has been signed and assets have been transferred to the trust, the trust agreement is fully operative as to those assets.

In determining how to deal with an IRA during the estate-planning process, various tax considerations unique to each person must be taken into account.

In most circumstances, a revocable trust will be created primarily for tax and estate planning purposes.

The use of any trust for estate planning purposes ultimately will depend on a variety of factors, including the size and complexity of the estate.

A living trust is a legal entity that is created and holds title to assets during the life of the person who places assets inside the trust.

Most estates will not be subject to taxation with or without a living trust.

The law of wills differs from state to state. This chapter is based entirely on Arizona law.

A corporation is a form of business ownership. The owners of a corporation are called shareholders.

The law of negligence governs motor vehicle accident cases.

A civil action, simply defined, is a lawsuit brought to enforce, restore or protect private rights.

When an adoption order is entered, the relationship of parent and child is established between the adoptive parent and the adopted child.

The general rule is that either spouse may contract debts and otherwise act for the benefit of the community.

Every person who operates a motor vehicle in Arizona auto­matically gives consent to a test or tests of his blood, breath, urine or other bodily substance.

Pet ownership is on the rise. It is estimated that there are now 75 million dogs in the United States.

About one-third of all civil lawsuits filed in Arizona are for breach of contract.

Premarital agreements have not always been favored in Arizona.

In order for the court to acquire jurisdiction over a mar­riage, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Arizona for 90 days immediately prior to the filing of the action.