Estate Planning During Divorce I am going to reflect on my age and use the passing of beloved Gen X actor Shannen Doherty in July 2024. It offers powerful lessons about the importance of estate planning during divorce. Best known for her unforgettable roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Heathers,” and “Charmed,” Doherty faced her breast...Read More
Veterans: Your Story Deserves to Be Protected This November, as the country pauses to honor those who have worn the uniform, I want to take a moment to speak directly to the veterans. Your service was about courage, commitment, and the promise of a safer tomorrow. Now, you have the chance to extend that same...Read More
November 2025 Margaret’s Notes November is when it finally starts feeling like Fall here in Arizona, and I get excited for Thanksgiving. I think Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, as it is a time to express gratitude and just be present with family and friends. It is the calm before the craziness of the end...Read More
Why Advance Directives Aren’t Enough: Lessons from One Family’s Struggle In an aging society, you may find yourself making critical medical decisions for a loved one — sometimes with very little warning. And when that moment comes, you’ll quickly discover that navigating end-of-life care is rarely simple, even when legal documents like advance directives...Read More
What It Really Means to Be a Personal Representative in Arizona When someone names you as the executor of their estate, it’s often seen as a sign of deep trust. In Arizona, the legal term for this role is Personal Representative, and while it may sound straightforward, the reality can be far more demanding. Administering...Read More
Young woman on her graduation day in university standing with multiethnic group of people. Education, qualification and gown concept.What Documents Do High School Graduates Need for Basic Estate Planning?Though summer is already over, many Arizona teens are already looking towards a major milestone: high school graduation. As your child steps into adulthood, it’s the perfect...Read More
October 2025 Margaret’s Notes As a mother of 3 children with ages ranging from 15 to 23. I must plan for a minor child still at home and two young adults in varying stages of independence. Legally, my two eldest children are adults. This means I cannot help them at the bank anymore or make...Read More
The Surprising Truth: Naming Godparents Is Not the Same as Naming Legal Guardians As a parent, your most important responsibility is ensuring your children are safe, loved, and protected—no matter what the future holds. You plan their education, health care, and experiences with care and intention. Often, part of this planning includes choosing godparents—people you...Read More
Retirement Accounts, Remarriage, and the Surprising Truth About Who Inherits What If you’re remarried and juggling a beautifully complex family—kids from different chapters of life, a new spouse, maybe even grandkids in the mix—then you already know planning isn’t optional. It’s a necessity. You plan the holiday calendar like a military operation. You strategize vacations...Read More
Setting Up Your Life Insurance the Right Way Life insurance is one of the most straightforward and powerful tools for protecting your loved ones. But here’s the thing: if it is not set up properly, it might not work the way you intended—and could even cause more harm than good. The reality is, simply having...Read More