Copper State Planning

Professional memberships and community involvement

Leighton is described on the website as an active member of:

• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
• Arizona Fiduciaries Association.
• National Association of Estate Planners and Councils.

Community and nonprofit roles:

• Serves on the board of the Million Dollar Teacher Project.
• Serves on the advisory committee for R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly.

Office manager: Jackie Mercier

• Office Manager at Copper State Planning.
• Extensive operations and management experience across multiple industries.
• Background includes:
• Former Chief Operating Officer at Concierge 4 B2B, where she helped build and scale the business, improve productivity, expand the client base, and recruit talent.
• Chairperson and Co‑Founder of Golden Roller Skates, a nonprofit focused on enhancing the mental well‑being of senior adults.
• Emphasizes servant leadership, inclusive environments, and collaborative teamwork.

Firm story, vision, and values

The Copper State story

• The firm was founded after seeing the problems caused by "cookie‑cutter" estate plans produced by cheap software or one‑size‑fits‑all approaches.
• Copper State Planning was created to:
• Craft truly comprehensive plans that preserve family harmony.
• Focus on getting the plan right, not just producing documents.
• Help clients build and pass on their legacy.

Vision

• To craft comprehensive plans that result in a lasting legacy and happy families.

Mission

• To avoid mistakes of the past by creating individualized plans that are designed to withstand the test of time.

Core values

• Costs matter, and the right tool should be used for each job.
• Attorneys should act as counselors who listen first.
• A comprehensive estate plan should consider life, death, and beyond, and be coordinated with business and financial planning where relevant.

The firm focuses on:

• Estate planning for a wide range of client situations, including complex family dynamics, business owners, and high‑net‑worth individuals.
• Preventing unintended consequences through careful, individualized planning rather than one‑size‑fits‑all documents.

Core practice areas

Estate planning

• Comprehensive estate plans tailored to each client's goals and family situation.
• Coordination of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and related documents.

Wills

• Drafting valid, legal wills under Arizona law.
• Creating new wills or codicils to update existing plans.
• Including testamentary trust provisions when needed to protect minor children.

Trusts

• Designing and drafting Revocable Living Trusts in Arizona to:
• Avoid or minimize probate where possible.
• Provide clear management of assets during life and after death.
• Address complex family or financial situations.

Probate and small estates

• Representing clients in Arizona probate matters.
• Handling the probate process, including filing documents and guiding personal representatives.
• Assisting with Phoenix small estate affidavits where appropriate as a simplified alternative to full probate.

Elder law and long‑term care (ALTCS)

• Elder law planning for seniors and their families.
• Arizona Long‑Term Care System (ALTCS) planning, including:
• ALTCS gift planning.
• ALTCS crisis planning.
• Strategies such as Miller/Income‑only trust preservation and ALTCS‑related home sale planning.

Tax and wealth transfer planning

• Estate and death tax planning to protect wealth for future generations.
• Wealth transfer planning strategies to move assets to beneficiaries efficiently while minimizing taxes and other threats to the estate.

Business succession planning

• Planning for the smooth transition of closely held businesses.
• Structuring succession strategies to protect the business and the owner's family.

Prenuptial agreements

• Drafting Arizona prenuptial agreements in compliance with the Arizona Uniform Premarital Agreement Act.
• Helping clients clarify financial expectations and protect assets in advance of marriage.

Powers of attorney

• Financial (general durable) powers of attorney to allow trusted individuals to manage financial and legal affairs if a client becomes incapacitated.
• Health care powers of attorney and advance directives to ensure medical wishes are followed.

Special needs planning

• Special needs planning for loved ones with disabilities.
• Establishing special needs trusts designed to preserve eligibility for public benefits while supplementing quality of life.

Medicaid asset protection trusts

• Creating Arizona Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts to help clients qualify for benefits while safeguarding assets where appropriate under current law.

Who they serve

• Individuals, couples, and families at different life stages (from young adults to retirees).
• Business owners needing integrated estate and business succession planning.
• Arizona residents, particularly in the Phoenix and Chandler/Ahwatukee areas, as well as clients with Arizona‑based property or probate issues.

Office address

• Address: 4435 E Chandler Blvd #200, Phoenix, AZ 85048
• Office availability: By appointment only.

Copper State Planning serves clients in Phoenix, Chandler/Ahwatukee, and throughout Arizona.

How to get in touch

• Call the office to discuss your situation and request an appointment.
• You can also submit an inquiry through the contact form on the website, including what you would like help with (for example: estate planning, tax and retirement planning, or other services).

Consultations and scheduling

• Meetings are scheduled by appointment; standard drop‑in hours are not listed.
• For current availability, types of appointments offered (phone, video, or in‑person), and any consultation fees, please contact the office directly.

Lists Coppell, Mission, Chandler, Phoenix, and Golden as a location. Names Arizona, Hawaii, Oregon, Chandler, and Phoenix as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.

All plans are designed to provide a comprehensive set of core documents, rather than charging separately for every item. The focus is on preventing unintended consequences and providing guidance, not just producing forms.

For the most current fees or any pricing not listed here, please contact the firm directly.

Child and young adult protection plans

College Kids Protection Plan

• Designed for young adults (such as college students) who are legally adults.
• Ensures parents or trusted adults have authority to help in an emergency.
• Includes:
• Health Care Power of Attorney.
• General Durable Power of Attorney.
• HIPAA release to access medical information.
• Fee: $550.

Minor Children Protection Plan

• Designed for parents or grandparents concerned about guardianship and care of minor or special needs children.
• Focuses on making sure children are cared for by people you trust if you become ill, incapacitated, or pass away.
• Includes:
• Temporary guardianship agreements (short‑term guardians).
• Permanent guardianship agreements (long‑term guardians).
• Health care and financial decision‑making provisions for the children.
• Emergency contact cards to help officials reach designated guardians quickly.
• Fee: $550.

Individual estate planning packages

Single Will Plan

• For an unmarried person with relatively straightforward assets and no estate tax concerns.
• Goals:
• State medical preferences in legally enforceable documents.
• Allow loved ones to access and use assets for care during incapacity.
• Provide for any minor children if the client dies or becomes incapacitated.
• Typical components include:
• Standard will.
• Health care power of attorney and advance directives.
• Durable power of attorney for financial and legal matters.
• Testamentary trust provisions for minor children when needed.
• Fee: $2,500.

Single Trust Plan

• For an unmarried person with assets that would otherwise go through probate, who wants a smoother, court‑free transfer to beneficiaries.
• Builds on the Will Plan.
• Adds:
• Revocable living trust.
• Attorney guidance for transferring assets into the trust.
• Support for family members in managing care and the estate if the client becomes incapacitated or passes away.
• Typical fee range: $3,500–$4,500.

Single Wealth Plan

• For an unmarried person whose estate may be taxable or whose assets include business interests or out‑of‑state property.
• Builds on the Trust Plan.
• Adds:
• Comprehensive asset inventory and assessment.
• Guidance on which assets should be titled in the trust.
• Help determining beneficiaries and which assets they will receive.
• Typical fee range: $4,500–$5,500.

Family estate planning packages

Family Will Plan

• For couples with assets solely in Arizona and relatively straightforward estates, with spouse and/or children (minors or adults).
• Goals:
• Provide for proper care of minor children if death or incapacity occurs.
• Clearly set out health care preferences and directives.
• Ensure immediate access to assets so loved ones can manage care if the clients are incapacitated.
• Typical components include:
• Basic wills for both spouses.
• Testamentary trusts for minor children (when needed).
• Health care powers of attorney and living wills.
• Durable powers of attorney for financial and legal matters.
• Fee: $3,500.

Family Trust Plan

• For families with assets that would go through probate or with property/business interests in multiple states, who want an efficient, court‑free transfer of assets.
• Builds on the Family Will Plan.
• Adds:
• Revocable living trust structure.
• Attorney counsel to coordinate and transfer assets into the trust.
• Support and guidance for family members in managing assets and care if death or incapacity occurs.
• Typical fee range: $5,500–$7,500 (depending on complexity and estate size).

Notes and FAQs from the pricing page

• Trusts generally cost more than wills up front because they are more complex, but they often save families significant probate fees in the future.
• Plans for parents commonly include temporary and permanent guardianship delegations and emergency wallet cards so children are never left with strangers.
• Professional estate planning is positioned as a way to avoid common DIY mistakes and unintended outcomes, especially where taxes, asset protection, or complex family dynamics are involved.

If a caller asks about pricing or a service not listed here, the agent should advise them to contact Copper State Planning directly for up‑to‑date details.

The firm emphasizes:

• Listening first and understanding each client's story and goals.
• Providing comprehensive advice across legal, financial, and business issues as they relate to the estate plan.
• Preventing unintended consequences that can arise from incomplete or generic planning.

The four‑step planning process

1. Consultation

• Initial meeting to get to know the client and their situation.
• Clients can ask questions and explain their goals and concerns.
• The attorney explains options and helps identify appropriate planning strategies.

2. Design

• Decide who should be involved in the plan (such as agents under powers of attorney, guardians, trustees, and beneficiaries).
• The attorney designs and drafts the estate plan tailored to the client's objectives and circumstances.

3. Review and sign

• Client reviews the drafted documents with the attorney.
• Any final changes are made.
• Documents are signed and typically organized in an estate planning binder or similar format.

4. Take action and coordinate assets

• The firm assists with coordinating assets to match the estate plan.
• Guidance may include beneficiary designations and transferring or titling assets (such as into a trust) so the plan works as intended.

When to contact the firm

Clients typically contact Copper State Planning when they:

• Need a first estate plan or need to update an existing one.
• Own a business or have complex family or financial situations.
• Are planning for long‑term care, ALTCS eligibility, or elder law issues.
• Want to set up guardianship and protection plans for minor or special‑needs children.
• Want to transition wealth, protect assets, or plan for future generations.

For information about current availability, how consultations are held (in‑person, phone, or virtual), or exactly what to bring to a first meeting, the caller should contact the office directly.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.