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Estate Planning

An estate plan will help protect your assets, your legacy, and your loved ones from
unnecessary financial and legal obstacles after you’re gone. By assessing your taxable
assets and potential liabilities, we can help you create a will or trust that removes the
hassles and confusion associated with unplanned estate execution.

An estate plan will help protect your assets, your legacy, and your loved ones from unnecessary financial and legal obstacles after you’re gone. By assessing your taxable assets and potential liabilities, we can help you create a will or trust that removes the hassles and confusion associated with unplanned estate execution.

A Coordinated Approach Is Crucial

Successful estate planning combines financial and legal expertise to ensure compliance with all state and federal laws and that your beneficiaries aren’t left to deal with tax burdens or legal disputes.
Wealthcare Financial employs financial advisors, legal experts, insurance planners, and tax professionals who will collaborate to help you create a robust estate plan that will distribute your assets according to your wishes when the time comes.
Early retirement couple meeting with their advisor

What to consider when planning your estate

Without an estate plan, your assets will be distributed according to a formulaic process established by your state and local legislators and are subject to significant taxes. Even a basic estate plan can provide you with much more control over what happens to your assets and help to avoid tax liabilities.

  • How much of your estate is earmarked for the IRS?
  • What strategies do you have in place to minimize estate taxes at death?
  • How thoroughly has your family discussed estate planning issues?
  • How would you like your assets distributed and who will act as executor?
  • When did you last review your will/trust and how your assets are titled?
  • Do you have a favorite charity, school, or group to whom you want to bequeath assets?
  • When was the last time you reviewed the beneficiary designations on your insurance programs and retirement plans?
Expecting mother caring for her child

Special Situations

An estate plan enables you to plan and prepare for the unique and unexpected circumstances that can arise, especially as you get older. This often includes:
  • Health and long-term care planning
  • Caring for individuals with special needs
  • Adjusting after divorce or the loss of your spouse
  • Navigating a lawsuit or legal dispute

Let’s talk about your goals

Schedule a complimentary consultation with our team to discuss what’s most important to you, ask
questions, and get answers that make you feel more confident about your financial future.
Schedule a complimentary consultation with our team to discuss what’s most important to you, ask questions, and get answers that make you feel more confident about your financial future.
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Page Misenheimer​

Page is a partner in Wealthcare Financial and the president of Misenhimer, Aivazian, and Tennant, P.C., a certified public accounting firm in Yuma.

He has been a certified public accountant licensed in Arizona for over twenty years, specializing in estate planning. In 1997, he earned the designation of Personal Financial Specialist from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, he holds licenses for life, health, and disability insurance. He’s also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants and is a former member of the Million Dollar Round Table.

Page attended the University of Arizona and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in accounting and a Bachelor of Science Degree with a double major in finance and real estate.

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Melissa Short

Melissa is a Financial Advisor with a Certified Military Financial Advisor designation at Wealthcare Financial. She helps the team service existing clients; manage audit preparations and compliance issues; act as primary contact for outside retirement plans; assist with annual client review meetings; and liaise with the Yuma community. She specializes in helping the newly bereaved navigate the estate settlement process—particularly new widows who want to build confidence in managing their finances if it’s new to them.

Melissa graduated from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO; earning a BA in business administration with an international emphasis. Her career began in the hospitality industry before moving into financial services in 2006.

She volunteers extensively in the community through the Yuma Elks Lodge 476 and Yuma Rotary; serving as club president and as an assistant governor for Rotary District 5500. In her spare time, she enjoys a number of hobbies including archery and playing golf.

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Steve Schulte, CFP®, MBA

Steve is the managing partner of Wealthcare Financial, managing director of the Wealthcare Advisory Group, and a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial. Since 2000, he has provided investment advice by using a holistic financial planning approach based on his clients’ goals, needs, and long-term life plans.

He works closely with Page and Shawn to ensure that his clients have access to not only financial advice but the insurance, legal, and tax planning services they need to grow their wealth and protect their assets.

Steve earned a BS in agricultural economics from the University of Arizona and an MBA from Webster University. He’s also proud of being a former Yuma High School “Criminal” (the mascot of his local high school).

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Shawn Garner

Shawn is a partner in Wealthcare Financial, a member of the Arizona State Bar Association, and admitted to practice in the Federal District Court of Arizona. Before joining the firm, he practiced in the area of commercial litigation and bankruptcy law.

Shawn joined Wealthcare Financial to help people achieve the peace of mind that comes with knowing their affairs are in order. He conducts free, monthly estate planning seminars to help get the word out about the problems and pitfalls associated with estate planning. He also writes a monthly estate planning column in The Yuma Sun.

He is a frequent speaker at public seminars covering the various aspects of estate planning and long-term care benefits available through Medicaid. Shawn also participates regularly as a member of the Arizona Medicaid Planning Council, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), and the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA). He is also a VA Accredited Attorney.

Shawn earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky Law School in 2008. He graduated in the top 1% of his class at Colorado State University when he earned his undergraduate degree with a double major in both Political Science and Criminal Justice. He also holds an Associate’s degree from Arizona Western College.

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Maren Green

Maren is a client service associate at Wealthcare Financial, helping to facilitate communication with clients, schedule meetings, and maintain the client account database. From cultivating and onboarding new clients to ushering existing clients through their financial journey, Maren plays a critical role in the day-to-day operations of our firm.

Maren has worked in the financial services industry since 2015, and with Ameriprise since 2018.