Five Items to Consider When Planning Your Will

Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. | Estate Planning
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    When you are creating an estate plan, the help of an experienced Arizona estate planning attorney can be invaluable. Every estate is different, as is every family. As a result, “one size fits all” estate plans rarely provide the focused assistance you need.

    When planning your will, however, there are several points you may need to consider:

    +This list provides an introduction to the questions you should think about when making a will.

    1. Who should be my personal representative? Your personal representative carries out the instructions in your will and wraps up the final business of your estate.
    2. Who should serve as guardian of my children? If you have no children, or all your children are over age 18 and do not need guardianship, a guardian may not be needed. If you have pets, you may also want to make provisions for their care.
    3. How do I want my estate to handle its debts and taxes? Speaking to an attorney and a financial professional can help you handle these matters most effectively.
    4. Do I want to leave particular items to certain family members or friends? If so, make a list of each item and the person to whom you wish to leave the item.
    5. Do I have particular wishes about my funeral or burial? You will want to leave these in your estate plan.

    Your attorney can provide a more detailed list and help you ensure that your wishes are met in your will and other estate planning documents.

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    About the Author

    Zachary Mushkatel

    Zachary Mushkatel is a founding attorney of Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., who has practiced law in Arizona since 2004. He also practices before the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. A graduate of the University of Arizona and the University of Minnesota Law School, he started his career as a public defender and entered private practice in criminal defense. In 2008, Zachary co-founded a firm dedicated to civil law in addition to criminal defense, and he has since expanded his practice to personal injury, estate planning and litigation, guardianships, conservatorships, probate, corporate litigation, real estate, and various civil matters. He serves on the board and faculty of the Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, and he is a past president and current member of the West Maricopa County Bar Association.