Plain-language guides on wills, trusts, and estate planning. General legal information — not legal advice.
Many Arizona and Utah families hear that someone died “without a will.” The legal word for that is intestate. In plain terms, state law—not a will—decides who inherits the property that still needs the court process.
Many Arizona and Utah families write a will and assume it covers every account. A beneficiary designation on a life insurance policy, retirement plan, or payable-on-death account is a separate instruction that often travels with that asset.
When someone dies, families in Arizona, Utah, and elsewhere often hear the word probate. In plain terms, probate is the court process used to wind up a person’s affairs after death.
Estate planning is something many families across Arizona and the rest of the country think about at different points in life. Two of the most commonly explored tools are last wills and testaments (often just called wills) and revocable living trusts. Many Arizona residents look into both documents to understand how property can be handled after someone passes away. Knowing the basic differences helps people become more informed before they speak with a licensed attorney.
This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Easy Wills N Trusts is not a law firm, and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this article or using this site.*
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