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Thomas A. Curti
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Thomas A. Curti
Fleming & Curti PLC
330 N Granada
Tuscon, AZ 85701
Phone: (520) 622-0400 | Fax: (520) 203-0240
http://www.elder-law.com
Comprehensive Estate Planning to Avoid Probate
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
I like to handle any Trust and Will matter; our services are comprehensive and include medical and financial powers of attorney and the re-titling of assets to the name of the Trust to avoid probate. We will advise clients when a Trust is not necessary and what other means there are to avoid probate. Our firm is especially well versed in planning to preserve governmental benefits for disabled children.
Sub-Categories
Taxes
- Tax Planning
- Charitable Giving
- Charitable Trusts
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Probate
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I enjoy helping family members address the difficult problems raised by incapacity of a loved one. A good plan is customized for the loved one's benefit, and considers not only legal concerns but also finances, personal autonomy and dignity, and the effect(s) on the rest of the family. My preferred client will recognize the importance of all that, and be willing to participate in innovative and goal-oriented planning for their loved one.
Sub-Categories
Elder Law
- Competency Hearings
- Guardianships & Conservatorships
- Long-Term Care
- Nursing Homes
- Powers of Attorney
- Medicaid & Medicare Planning
Bar Admissions
AZ, Oct 1976
Bar Number: 4688
Specialty Certifications
Certified Specialists in Estate and Trusts; Certified Private Fiduciary
Other Court Admissions
Arizona, Arizona Federal District Court, United States Court of Appeals (Ninth Circuit)
Association Memberships
State of Arizona, Pima County (Tucson)
Continuing Education
I mostly attend continuing legal education seminars on Estate and Trust matters although I have presented at the Governor's Conference on Aging and one personal injury defense bar seminar.
Example Cases
Our cases frequently involve preparing a Will or Trust for the parents of a disabled child; we will structure the Will or Trust so that the monies left in a trust for the disabled child will not impact the governmental benefits of the disabled child.
Our cases also involve giving advice and drafting to avoid probate usually by a trust but also by less expensive means where indicated. Our estate planning services are done on a flat fee and include all ancillary services necessary for proper representation including medical and financial powers of attorney and re-titling of assets to the Trust.
Our firm is frequently involved in large personal injury settlements/awards for persons who are severely injured; we draft self settled trusts for approval by the court or the Conservator that preserve the person's governmental benefits and advise the Trustee (or act as Trustee ourselves) of such Trusts on proper expenditures.
Education
Degree:
B.S.
School:
University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse
City:
LaCrosse,
State:
WI
Year:
1972
Honors:
Dean's List
Focus and Accomplishments:
Political Science and History
Degree:
Masters in Public Administration
School:
University of Wisconsin
City:
Madison
State:
WI
Year:
1976
Honors:
LaFollette Scholarship
Focus and Accomplishments:
Public Administration
Degree:
Juris Doctorate
School:
University of Arizona
City:
Tucson
State:
AZ
Year:
1976
Number of Attorneys
5
State Licensed In
Arizona
Firm Focus and History
Estate planning, Planning fro special needs for disabled clients; Guardianship and Conservatorship; Probate; Long term care planning; Elder Law.
Our current firm was established in 1994; Robert Fleming and I were previously partners in Vincent, Fleming and Curti from 1976 to 1979.
Previous Employment Summary
Private practice from 1976 to date. 1976 to 1979 I was a partner in Vincent, Fleming & Curti. From 1979 I was sole proprietor (Thomas A. Curti). From 1883 to 1994 in sole practice in a professional corporation, Thomas A. Curti, P.C.
Activities and Awards
AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell; Pro Bono work for Southern Arizona Legal Aid and Pima Council on Aging; Member United Way Supporting Senior Impact Council; Elected Member of Pima County Bar Association 2004 to date; Board of Trustees St. Gregory's College Preparatory School 2005 to date. I was an advocate for the Diocese of Tucson on annulment matters.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
We encourage clients to educate themselves; our website, which won an award from Law Office Computing as the best for small firms, provides volumes of information for prospective clients. I want my clients to understand what they are signing.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
We review such documents as requested by the client but if changes are needed or the documents they have obtained are not complete it is generally easier, quicker and less expensive to prepare such documents from scratch.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Our initial conference fee is $400; if a client, after consultation wants to represent themselves, will give them advice. Often times we will refer them to written sources.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
It is a position of trust and responsibility; no one in my family or even my town was a lawyer, but I thought it was a way to help people.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I grew up on a dairy farm in a small Wisconsin community and was one of 12 children; hard working and getting along was essential. I have carried these traits forward; I work hard and try to explain everything to my clients, both in person and by letter. When doing a Trust, I want the clients to understand what they are signing and not baffle them with verbiage; our trusts are quite readable and provide red blocks to explain provisions. The death of my father, arranging his funeral, and doing his probate for my mother out of state helped me, more than anything; understand what clients go through in death and probate.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I enjoy talking with people and handling matters over which I have substantial control. I do not have control over litigation matters where the Judge makes the decision despite my best efforts. The client for the most part appreciate our services and they are a generation that I enjoy and respect. Specialization gives me an opportunity to know this one area as well as anyone else; non-specialists frequently ask for help. This has developed the reputation of the firm.
What do you like best about your career?
I enjoy the variety of cases; when I come to work each day I have no idea what will happen or who I will meet. I enjoy the work environment we have created - our office is in a large old residence and our office has developed camaraderie among staff and a closeness; we do unusual things like have a masseuse give massages to the staff and we have office pets. I enjoy the reputation we have generated.
Tell us about your law firm:
We have learned that hiring the best person for the job is more important than keeping our costs down; getting things done quickly and correctly is the best approach. Our staff turnover is very low. We rely on legal assistants who specialize in one area; a probate paralegal with 20+ years experience; Guardianship and Conservatorship paralegal with 20 years experience. Our firm delegates heavily to clients and we pass on the savings to the client.
What are your strengths and style?
I am able to get along with people. My style is down to earth and I can relate to many different kinds of people. I am punctual and conscientious.
Personal Interests:
I am married with three boys, two out of college and one still in high school. I am a private pilot, golf, and have residential rentals which occupy my spare time.
Fax
(520) 203-0240
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
On staff: Spanish & Vietnamese
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
We do most of our estate planning work on fixed-fee basis. Our fee structure is online at www.elder-law.com/fees/html.
Hourly Rates
$280 per hour for my services and lower rates for less experienced attorneys and non-lawyers.
Free Initial Consultation?
No, we charge $400 for an initial consultation, except in long-term care/Medicaid planning cases when the fee is larger. Our initial $400 fee is applied to any services we perform, and this arrangement is generally what happens in estate planning cases. An initial conference will usually run one hour; if it takes longer we spend that time.
Typical Retainer
We do not usually require a retainer after payment of the $400 initial consultation fee.
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