Practices
Industries
View Sharon Ravenscroft’s Website
Representative Experience
Sharon’s practice involves the preparation of Wills, Trusts, Domestic Property Agreements and related Estate Planning documents such as powers of attorney for finances and health. Sharon also works with her clients to effectuate Estate and Trust administration through Probate, small estate affidavits and other transfer methods which may or may not involve court involvement. Sharon also helps her clients with creation of limited partnerships and LLC’s for Estate Planning and business needs. Simplifying the challenges related to family asset and estate legal issues is her focus for her clients. Business entities, such as corporations and LLC’s are incorporated in the estate plan by re-titling ownership interests in a manner to address the requirements of the Arizona Corporation Commission and financial institutions. Sharon has taught classes at the Arizona School of Real Estate and Business and PORA Lifelong Learning Center. Sharon draws clients from the east valley cities of Tempe, Scottsdale, Gilbert and Chandler who see her in the Phoenix office. Sharon’s clients from North Phoenix and North Scottsdale generally see her in the Sun City office since they can take the Loop 101 to the office. Clients from Sun City West, Peoria, Glendale, Arrowhead, Buckeye and Avondale also find the Sun City Office convenient.
Associations & Activities
- State Bar of Arizona
- Maricopa County Bar Association, Board of Directors, Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Section, 2002-2005
- Supporter of Desert Botanical Gardens; Heard Museum; Phoenix Art Museum; Phoenix Zoo; Boys and Girls Club
Awards & Recognition
- PHOENIX Magazine Top Lawyer in Will, Estates and Trusts (2022)
Bar Admissions
- Arizona, 1987
Education
- University of California (J.D., 1987)
- International Law Journal
- Wellesley College (B.A, cum laude, 1984)
News & Publications
Estate Tax Exclusion Changes Now and in 2025
The estate tax exclusion has increased to $12.06 million. This is the amount one person can pass gift and estate tax free during their life or upon death. With proper trust provisions, a married couple could pass $24.12 million. The annual amount that can be gifted...
2020 Changes Laws for IRAs
Effective in 2020, there are changes that apply to a qualified retirement account such as IRA or 401k. Designated beneficiaries will be required to distribute the qualified retirement account in 10 years instead of over a lifetime. Sharon Ravenscroft suggests to her...
2020 Estate Tax Updates
In 2020, the estate tax exclusion increases to $11.58 million. The present gift exemption remains at $15,000. Most Americans can avoid any tax when passing assets during their lifetime or after death. Sharon Ravenscroft finds that her clients' largest concern remains...
Updated Estate Tax Exclusion and Gift Exemptions
In 2019, there will be an increase in the amount that can pass estate tax free -- one person can now pass a total of $11.4 million during life and upon death. In 2019, the amount that can be given each year without causing a decrease in the total exclusion that can...
New Statutory Changes Have Made Doing Business as an LLCs Easier
The statutes that govern limited liability company (“LLC”) have been updated in total. Chapter 7 of Title 10 now replaces the prior statutes in Chapter 4. Publication when filing Articles of Organization or changing the statutory agent has been changed for some...
Easing the Elderly’s Everyday Needs
Many times older residents have a helpmate who writes out their checks and then they simply sign them. However, if even writing checks can be too difficult, or if there is a temporary illness, the helpmate may need more authority in order to give full assistance. A...
Five Reasons to Have a Trust
A Revocable Living Trust allows you to create the legal framework for your assets to be handled if you become incapacitated or upon your death. Here are 5 of the top reasons to have a trust: Without a trust, a court conservatorship will be required if you want to...
Increased Asset Value Limits to Avoid Probate
The Arizona legislature has passed a law effective on September 12, 2013 which increases the amount of assets which would require a probate.
Living Up to Your Living Trust
With the changes in the value of our investments, now more than ever it is important to have the most cost-effective method of having the right person handle your assets if you become ill or if you die. RevocableLiving Trusts are very useful for assuring access to...
Do No Contest Clauses in Wills or Trusts Work?
Do No Contest Clauses in Wills or Trusts work? The short answer, not too well. Previously, if an omitted heir could establish that he had probable cause to challenge the no contest clause (such as the writer of the Will was under mistake or undue influence), the court...