Last week, I met with a new client who had recently lost her husband. Before he passed, he showed her some estate planning documents that had been drawn up by a friend. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she said something about them didn’t sit well with her.

She was right to trust her instincts. As we reviewed the documents, we discovered serious red flags:

🔹Names of people she had never heard of listed throughout

🔹The friend’s name appeared as a beneficiary, agent, and even executor

🔹A notary stamp that didn’t match Arizona’s legal requirements

In Arizona, proper notarization and legally sound estate planning documents are critical. A well-intentioned “favor” from a friend can lead to confusion, conflict, or even costly legal battles.

If you’ve received estate planning paperwork that was prepared outside of a licensed legal setting — or if something just doesn’t seem quite right — don’t hesitate to have it reviewed.

I’m always happy to help you make sure everything is in order and truly reflects your wishes. If you’re in Arizona, let’s take a look and protect your peace of mind.