Empowered Legacy Planning

10/19/2026

Legacy Question:

What values do you hope to pass on to future generations?

Let us know in the comments!

10/15/2026

Will a Trust Fail for Lack of Funding?

Think of a trust as a bucket, or a treasure chest. One writes instructions on the outside of the bucket about what one wants done with the things that are in the bucket. The trustmaker then takes the "bucket" and puts it into the hands of someone the trustmaker can rely on--that's the trustee. The trustee's job is to follow the trustmaker's instructions with regard to the things that are in the bucket.

The process we call "funding" is the process of titling assets so that they are in the trust "bucket"--controlled by the trustee. These assets will be controlled by the trustmaker's directions without the need for probate.

Anything left outside the trust is outside of the trustee's control. That means that the trustmaker's directions will not be followed with regard to those assets that are out of the trust. Some assets may find their way back into the trust through a pour-over will, but typically this requires the expense, delay and publicity of probate to do so.

One common motivation many have for seeking out an attorney to create a trust is so that their family will be able to avoid the cost, delay, and publicity of probate on their death. Failure to fully and properly fund a trust means that the client's directions will not be followed with regard to those assets not in the trust, or at least that probate will not be avoided.

Make sure you are getting full value for your estate plan by working with an attorney who will ensure that the trust bucket is full, and has a formal process in place to make sure that it stays that way.

10/13/2026

15 Questions You Must Ask Your Estate Planning Professional

If you've ever hired anyone to prepare a will or a trust, or if you've been thinking about doing so, there are a few questions you simply must ask.

1) Please tell me about your interest, background and experience in the planning field. What percentage of your practice is in estate planning?

2) How do you define estate planning?

3) What is your counseling philosophy?

4) What is your process for working with me to assure that my plan works?

5) How will you counsel me to design my plan?

6) How do we assure that my assets are controlled by my instructions contained in my planning documents? Who is responsible for this coordination, you or me?

7) How do we assure that my plan stays current with changes in the law?

8 ) What is the level of involvement of my family in the planning process?

9) How do you charge for your services? Specifically, how much will my estate be charged after I'm gone? What if I'm disabled?

10) (If living trust attorney) What is your record with regard to probate? (What percentage of your trust-based plans wind up having assets probated? Do you charge differently for these assets?

11) Do you handle the filing of death tax returns if they're necessary? If you do, how do you charge for that service?

12) What happens if something happens to you?

13) How do I prepare for our consultation?

14) What type of service should I expect from you?

15) Do you expect any commitments from me?

While none of these questions alone should make or break your decision on whether to hire a particular estate planning professional, the answers provided will give you a greater understanding of who the professional is and the process the professional employs while working with their clients.

10/09/2026

The world of estate planning can be quite confusing… don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed by the language of estate planning, you’re not alone! At Empowered Legacy Planning, we believe that educating our clients is as important as drafting effective documents for them.

Do you know the 5 Essential Estate Planning Documents you should have in place? Take a look at the blog post on our website to learn more! (Link Shared In Comments)

📲 (480) 855-8383
📧 [email protected]

10/08/2026

Think you’re too young to begin estate planning? Think again!

If you’re 18 years old (or the parent of a young adult who is leaving the nest) it’s time to start thinking about putting a few key estate planning documents in place.

In this video, attorney Kristel Patton explains which documents every adult should have in place for peace of mind and protection.

Watch now -

Do you need an estate plan as a young adult? The answer is YES! L...

10/05/2026

It is time for a re-introduction, I’m Kristel and I am an attorney with a passion for helping families navigate the often difficult and daunting process of estate planning.

I established my firm in 2008. Frustrated with seeing cookie-cutter estate plans and hearing from clients that they did not understand their existing plans, I set out to develop a better approach.

I’d love to invite you to learn more about my firm and what sets us apart! Please head over to our website, there you can find more about myself and Empowered Legacy Planning! http://legacylawaz.com/

01/16/2026

Sharing is caring. 😊

Traveling can be overwhelming for someone experiencing dementia. With an estimated 7 million people in the United States experiencing dementia, Phoenix Sky Harbor proudly offers a Dementia Friendly Air Travel Workshop to passengers and caregivers of people with dementia. This workshop gives the tools and knowledge to help make air travel manageable and a positive experience by bringing together representatives from the airport, airlines, and the TSA to share information and answer questions. Phoenix Sky Harbor was the first airport in the country to offer this workshop. The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Jan. 21, to register, please email [email protected]. For more information, visit skyharbor.com/about-phx/news-media/press-releases/award-winning-dementia-friendly-air-travel-workshop-enters-fourth-year/

02/14/2025

Do you love a good RAFFLE? Get your tickets for the Chandler Education Foundation's Winner's Choice CAR or CASH Raffle today for a shot at the Early Bird prizes being drawn tomorrow - Feb. 14!

Support Chandler Unified School District schools and scholarships for graduating seniors while taking a chance at the Grand Prize: $27,000 toward any Toyota from Big Two Toyota OR $20,000 cash!

Get 10 tickets for $20 or maximize your value with 100 tickets for $100!

Don’t wait—purchase your tickets online now at:
https://tinyurl.com/CEFBoardRaffle25

Thank you for investing in education!

11/29/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from our team at Empowered Legacy Planning! We hope your day was full of good food, love, and laughter! 🦃❤️

11/29/2024