things you should know about tom bouman
about me
As an estate and trust attorney, I use my skills of organization, analysis, and teaching to help people plan for and respond to life's most challenging transitions:

-Death
-Incapacity
-Death of a Loved One
-Retirement
-Transfer of Business Control

I bring a highly systematic approach to the practice of law, which is critically important when wading through the complex, and often bizarre, legal requirements associated with estate and trust law.

There is no doubt that I am - by nature - a very analytical person. I will do what any good lawyer does, and study the issues carefully when providing counsel to a client.

However, I think what separates me from other lawyers is my passion for teaching. I enjoy taking complex subject matter and making it understandable.

memberships
I am a proud member of Wealth Counsel, the nation's largest organization of estate planning attorneys.  Wealth Counsel provides me with the support system of a large law firm, while allowing me to maintain the highly personalized level of service that only a solo attorney can provide. 
Other memberships include: 
State Bar of Arizona, Probate and Trust section
Carondelet Foundation Financial Advisory Council

my resume
I earned my bachelors degree from the University of Michigan in 1995 and my doctorate in law from the University of Arizona in 2000.  During law school I secured a job with a prominent Tucson law firm where I advanced from research clerk to associate attorney, and then to partner in less than four years.  I fulfilled my own dream in 2005 by leaving that position to establish my own law practice.   

my planning credos
  • It's not just about the money
  • Words mean something
  • Words don't mean everything
  • Fair doesn't always mean equal

advantages of working with a solo attorney
  • Personal Attention: All tasks are completed by someone who knows you personally.
  • Less Phone Tag:  It's easier to reach me on the phone than a typical big law firm attorney.
  • Relax:  It's much less intimidating to walk in my office than a fancy law firm.
  • Flexibility:  With no rigid office policies to overcome, I adapt to change much faster.
  • No Hourly Billing:  I don't have a billable hour requirement so I can provide a fixed price schedule for most services.

straight talk
Will I try to persuade you to pay for something that you think is unnecessary?  Maybe.  Will I try to persuade you to pay for something that I think is unnecessary?  Absolutely not.  I will give you my honest opinion, period. 

independent advice
Although I have extensive training with the use of investment products, insurance, and real estate, I am not licensed to sell them.  Some will argue that hiring an advisor who can sell these products is a better choice.  I disagree.  I believe estate planning is a specialized area of law that deserves the full attention of a lawyer.  For this reason, I am independent from all banks, trust companies, accountants, insurance companies, and investment advisors.  I will gladly work with any of them as colleagues, but not as my employers.  You will only get estate planning counsel from me, not a sales pitch for investment products.

my clients
I work with clients across the state of Arizona, including some who live in other states but retain investments in Arizona.  Although most live in the Tucson metro area, I have at least one client from each of the following Arizona cities: 
  • Alpine
  • Avondale
  • Benson
  • Buckeye
  • Casa Grande
  • Cave Creek
  • Chandler
  • Corona de Tucson
  • Desert Hills
  • Elgin
  • Flagstaff
  • Gilbert
  • Glendale
  • Globe
  • Goodyear
  • Green Valley
  • Greer
  • Hereford
  • Lake Havasu City
  • Marana
  • Mesa
  • Nogales
  • Oro Valley
  • Paradise Valley
  • Pearce
  • Peoria
  • Phoenix
  • Pinetop
  • Saddlebrooke
  • Safford
  • Sahuarita
  • San Manuel
  • Scottsdale
  • Sierra Vista
  • Springerville
  • St. David
  • Sun City West
  • Tempe
  • Tucson
  • Vail
  • Willcox    

personal
I am married to Priscilla and have two daughters.  We live in northeast Tucson and attend Christ Community Church.  I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan.   My golf handicap is 11, my bowling average is 151, and I completed the 79 mile Tour de Tucson bicycle race in 2010.  And yes, my estate plan is up-to-date. 

my advice to young men
Read this


Thomas J. Bouman, Attorney
Bouman Law Firm
7650 E. Broadway Blvd. #108
Tucson, AZ 85710
(520) 546-3558
tom@tomboumanlaw.com