Thoughtful and Thorough Estate Planning Lawyers in Tucson, Arizona

Ready to create, manage and administer your estates and trusts

At Nystedt & Fletcher PLLC, we provide comprehensive estate planning services and encourage everyone to have a thoughtful and valid estate plan to protect his or her assets, families and business partners. Proper estate planning makes it easier on your family and other loved ones after you are gone. It will also give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have done everything to protect those you love.

We are aware that everyone has different goals. No matter how small or substantial your net worth, we work with you to develop an estate plan that:

  • Identifies and protects your assets
  • Protects your loved ones
  • Preserves family wealth by minimizing expenses and taxes
  • Ensures a smooth transfer of assets to your family, other loved ones or favorite charity
  • Transfers assets in a tax-efficient matter without delay or unnecessary expense for the recipients upon your death
  • Provides for a long-term care plan to protect your savings in case of disability or illness
  • Provides for charitable giving if you wish

We use what we have learned during our 55 combined years of experience to assist our clients with the following:

  • Wills and will updates
  • Trusts ― all types
  • Guardianships and conservatorship for elderly parents and relatives or children
  • Tax planning
  • Powers of attorney
  • Advanced healthcare directives
  • Business succession planning
  • Litigation

Creating and administering trusts

At Nystedt & Fletcher PLLC, we help people create trusts to ensure that their assets are properly managed and held for the future use of their family members or designated beneficiaries. The assets held by a trust can be used to pay for necessary medical, educational and health-related expenses for the trust's beneficiaries. Because a trust is designed to exist for a certain period, the courts require that a trustee be chosen to administer and be responsible for the management of the trust.

A trust may be included in your will or as a separate legal entity. Sometimes trusts are used to avoid the probate process or to minimize estate and income taxes. When you transfer ownership of your assets to a trust, those assets can be removed from your taxable estate and minimize your federal and state taxes. You can also transfer your assets to a charitable trust, allowing you to enjoy the use of your assets during your lifetime while maximizing the estate tax charitable deduction.

Helping trustees with their responsibilities

We can assist you with trustee responsibilities. When a trust has been established, there are ongoing administration tasks that include:

  • Preparation and filing of 1041 tax returns
  • Investment of trust assets, if necessary
  • Inventory and appraisal of trust assets 
  • Accounting and notification of beneficiaries
  • Appropriate distribution of property or other assets
  • Notification of beneficiaries upon your death

Assisting you through the probate process

Probate is the process that transfers legal title of property from the estate of the person who has died and resolves outstanding debt. Probate administration enables the goals and wishes of your deceased loved one to be achieved while satisfying the requirements of the state government and probate court.

We guide you through the steps necessary to settle the estate of your loved one in a cost-efficient and timely manner. We provide the following services in the probate process:

  • Prove a valid will or trust exists
  • Distribute property
  • Locate assets
  • Determine outstanding debt
  • Defend a will or trust
  • Contest a will or trust
  • Resolve trust interpretation disputes
  • Handle mental capacity issues

Establishing and administering wills, estates and trusts in Tucson, Arizona

For experienced legal advice and assistance with your estate and trust matters, call Nystedt & Fletcher PLLC at 520.881.3900 or contact our firm online to schedule an appointment.