Is Tetrant Legal a law firm?

Yes. We also own a subsidiary company called Tetrant Advisory LLC which is a full service Registered Investment Advisor in the State of Arizona. Through Tetrant Legal and our subsidiary we are able to offer our clients a full lineup of estate and financial planning solutions.

What areas of the law does Tetrant Legal focus on?

Tetrant Legal focuses on estate planning and some aspects of business law. We also incorporate financial planning solutions through our subsidiary Tetrant Advisory LLC.

Does Tetrant Legal offer a free consultation?

Yes. Click here to schedule online or call us at (480) 639-6460.

What is "estate planning"?

The simple answer... it is (1) taking an inventory of what "stuff" you have, (2) figuring out who you want that stuff to go to, and then (3) figuring out how to make that happen (will, trust, beneficiary designations, etc.).

The long answer... Estate planning involves anything that could impact your estate such as your personal budget, retirement, insurance policies, real estate, healthcare, end-of-life decisions, etc. Traditional estate planning focused on the documents needed to manage or transfer an estate (will, trust, power of attorney, etc.) - at Tetrant Legal we take a more comprehensive approach looking at all areas of your financial life and how they might impact your estate.

Rob Siddoway is a Certified Financial Planner® and Tetrant Legal owns a Registered Investment Advisory firm giving us the necessary tools, licensing, and knowledge to help you set up and maintain a comprehensive estate plan.

Do I need a will or a trust?

It depends. This is kind of like asking 'which car is best?' - it is hard to say and completely depends on the situation of the person. This is why we offer a free consultation to come in, sit down, tell us your story, and then talk about which estate planning vehicles might be best for you. Click here to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

How much does it cost?

This can be answered two ways. First, our pricing is completely transparent and can be found by visiting the Pricing page. Second, there may be a much bigger cost if you do nothing, or don't do it correctly. Here's your homework: call a couple of local probate attorneys and ask them how much it costs on average to do probate on an estate. This should give you a pretty good idea as to how you should proceed and what the "true" cost is.

What if I don't have any type of plan?

Guess what? Even if you have never drafted an estate plan, you still have a plan! In Arizona, the distribution of your estate will be governed by Title 14 of the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS). What does that mean? Basically, your estate will go through the probate process without the help of a will or other documents to help guide the judge, they will simply use the ARS to figure out how to distribute your assets. See the answer for "IS PROBATE REALLY THAT BAD?" for additional information.

Aren't beneficiary designations good enough?

It depends. Many times a beneficiary designation is sufficient to pass an account or other asset to your heirs - but what if... the heir predeceases you? What if there is some confusion as to who it was really meant for (There are 3 Robert Siddoways in my family)? What if... you get the idea. While beneficiary designations are a commonly used estate planning technique, a properly constructed estate plan can help alleviate some of the risks of "what if" scenarios.

Is probate really that bad?

Probate is a public court process, and the time and cost depend on the estate. Arizona’s published notice to creditors generally provides a four-month period for claims, measured from the first publication. Known creditors may have a later deadline. The total time needed to administer and close an estate varies with its assets, obligations, and court procedures.

Does Tetrant Legal offer in-home visits?

Yes. Depending on need, accommodations can be made to travel to your home or another convenient location. Currently we serve clients in the following towns/cities: Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, Gold Canyon, and San Tan Valley.

How do I access the client portal?

Visit Client Login to sign in to Tetrant Portal or your Altruist investment account. If you previously used a different portal or need help finding your legal documents, contact us. We’ll help you get access.

How do I get started?

Contact us to schedule an initial conversation about your goals, questions, and next steps. Call (480) 639-6460 or schedule online.

Who do you work with?

Our ongoing service is designed for individuals and families seeking financial planning and investment management online, with approximately $250,000 or more in investable assets. That can include accounts in several places, such as old 401(k)s and IRAs. If you’re near that level, we can discuss whether the service fits your needs.

Can we meet virtually?

Yes. We offer virtual meetings and in-person appointments at our Gilbert and Queen Creek, Arizona offices. Contact us to find a time and format that works for you.

Can you help with an old 401(k) or IRA?

Yes. We can help you evaluate your options and whether consolidating accounts makes sense. We consider fees, investment choices, plan features, and other tradeoffs before recommending a change. Keeping assets in an existing plan may be appropriate.

What is the difference between financial planning and my investment account?

Financial planning brings your goals, accounts, and decisions together. Your investment custodian holds your investment accounts. Tetrant Portal is our planning and document portal; clients with Altruist accounts use a separate Altruist login to view those accounts.

Do I need to hire Tetrant for both legal and financial services?

Legal and financial services are separate engagements. Estate planning considerations can be part of financial planning. Legal advice and document preparation require a separate engagement with Tetrant Legal, with their own scope and fees.

How do I access the client portal?

Visit Client Login to sign in to Tetrant Portal or your Altruist investment account. If you previously used a different portal or need help finding your legal documents, contact us. We’ll help you get access.

How do I get started?

Contact us to schedule an initial conversation about your goals, questions, and next steps. Call (480) 639-6460 or schedule online.