ABOUT TOM
Formal Bio
Thomas J. Bouman focuses his practice on estate planning and inheritance protection. He brings 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. Mr. Bouman is the author of the Arizona Estate Administration Answer Book and a prominent member of WealthCounsel, the nation's premiere organization of estate planning attorneys.
My Own Thoughts
I help clients tame the beast known as estate and trust law in Arizona.
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
Watch this 2 minute video to learn more about how I approach the process:
Memberships
I am a longtime attorney member of WealthCounsel, the nation's premiere organization of estate planning professionals, having joined in 2006. WealthCounsel 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.
I joined the State Bar of Arizona in 2000.
Resume
I earned my bachelors degree from the University of Michigan in 1995 and my law doctorate degree 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 a dream of mine in 2005 by leaving that position to establish my own law practice.
Advantages of Working with a Solo Attorney
My practice is intentionally structured as a low‑volume, attorney‑only estate planning boutique. This allows me to provide a level of clarity, personal attention, and calm guidance that is uncommon in traditional law firm settings. Every client meets with me personally, and every plan is crafted with the same care and thoughtfulness I would want for my own family.
Straight Talk
Will I try to persuade you to implement a strategy that you think is inappropriate? Maybe. Will I try to persuade you to implement a strategy that I think is inappropriate? Absolutely not. I will give you my honest opinion, period.
Independent Advice
Although I have extensive training in investment, insurance, accounting, and real estate concepts, I am not licensed to sell any of those products. Some professionals argue in favor of using a company that offers these services and then provides basic estate planning as an add‑on. I disagree. Estate planning is a specialized area of law that deserves the full attention of an estate planning attorney. For this reason, I remain independent from all banks, trust companies, accountants, insurance companies, and investment advisors. I will gladly work with them as colleagues, but not as employers or partners. You will receive estate planning counsel from me--not a sales pitch for other products or services.
Satisfied Clients
I have prepared approximately 9,000 estate plans for Arizona families during my 26 years in practice. Although most of my clients live in Tucson, I’ve also had the privilege of serving families from Vail, Oro Valley, Marana, Green Valley, Sierra Vista, and many other Arizona communities.
In 2010, a satisfied probate client from California (Hakim) posted an unsolicited online review about his experience with my practice. That first review started a wave of positive feedback that continues to this day. Since then, more than 600 past clients have posted 5-star testimonials on Google, Nextdoor, Avvo, and other platforms. Thank you, everyone!
Personal Life
My wife, Priscilla, and I have been married since 2001. We have 5 daughters and 2 grandsons. We live in northeast Tucson and are members of Christ Community Church, Arizona Families for Home Education and Forty Niner Country Club. I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and miss the beautiful summers at Lake Michigan. My wife and I are passionate about taking family vacations and road trips. In fact, we have taken our older children to all 50 states. My typical golf score is in the 80s, my typical bowling score is in the 160s, and I am always eager for a competitive game of ping pong, pickle ball, or outdoor resort-style shuffleboard in our back yard. And yes, my estate plan is up-to-date.
I am a longtime attorney member of WealthCounsel, the nation's premiere organization of estate planning professionals, having joined in 2006. WealthCounsel 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.
I joined the State Bar of Arizona in 2000.
Resume
I earned my bachelors degree from the University of Michigan in 1995 and my law doctorate degree 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 a dream of mine in 2005 by leaving that position to establish my own law practice.
Advantages of Working with a Solo Attorney
- Personal attention. All tasks are completed by someone who knows you personally.
- More relaxed. It's less intimidating to walk into my office than a big firm law office.
- Flexibility. With no rigid office policies to overcome, I adapt to change much faster.
- Fixed fee projects. I don't have a billable hour requirement so I can offer a fixed fee for most matters.
My practice is intentionally structured as a low‑volume, attorney‑only estate planning boutique. This allows me to provide a level of clarity, personal attention, and calm guidance that is uncommon in traditional law firm settings. Every client meets with me personally, and every plan is crafted with the same care and thoughtfulness I would want for my own family.
Straight Talk
Will I try to persuade you to implement a strategy that you think is inappropriate? Maybe. Will I try to persuade you to implement a strategy that I think is inappropriate? Absolutely not. I will give you my honest opinion, period.
Independent Advice
Although I have extensive training in investment, insurance, accounting, and real estate concepts, I am not licensed to sell any of those products. Some professionals argue in favor of using a company that offers these services and then provides basic estate planning as an add‑on. I disagree. Estate planning is a specialized area of law that deserves the full attention of an estate planning attorney. For this reason, I remain independent from all banks, trust companies, accountants, insurance companies, and investment advisors. I will gladly work with them as colleagues, but not as employers or partners. You will receive estate planning counsel from me--not a sales pitch for other products or services.
Satisfied Clients
I have prepared approximately 9,000 estate plans for Arizona families during my 26 years in practice. Although most of my clients live in Tucson, I’ve also had the privilege of serving families from Vail, Oro Valley, Marana, Green Valley, Sierra Vista, and many other Arizona communities.
In 2010, a satisfied probate client from California (Hakim) posted an unsolicited online review about his experience with my practice. That first review started a wave of positive feedback that continues to this day. Since then, more than 600 past clients have posted 5-star testimonials on Google, Nextdoor, Avvo, and other platforms. Thank you, everyone!
Personal Life
My wife, Priscilla, and I have been married since 2001. We have 5 daughters and 2 grandsons. We live in northeast Tucson and are members of Christ Community Church, Arizona Families for Home Education and Forty Niner Country Club. I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and miss the beautiful summers at Lake Michigan. My wife and I are passionate about taking family vacations and road trips. In fact, we have taken our older children to all 50 states. My typical golf score is in the 80s, my typical bowling score is in the 160s, and I am always eager for a competitive game of ping pong, pickle ball, or outdoor resort-style shuffleboard in our back yard. And yes, my estate plan is up-to-date.
Quirks and Eccentricities
My Myers-Briggs personality type is ISTJ ("Inspector"). ISTJ is an acronym used to describe one of the sixteen personality types created by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers. It stands for Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging. ISTJ indicates a person who is energized by time spent alone (Introverted), who focuses on facts and details rather than ideas and concepts (Sensing), who makes decisions based on logic and reason (Thinking) and who prefers to be planned and organized rather than spontaneous and flexible (Judging). ISTJs are sometimes referred to as Inspector personalities because of their focus on details and interest in doing things correctly.
According to Truity.com, we ISTJs are responsible organizers, driven to create and enforce order within systems and institutions. We are neat and orderly, inside and out, and tend to have a procedure for everything we do. Reliable and dutiful, we ISTJs want to uphold tradition and follow regulations. ISTJs are steady, productive contributors. Famous ISTJs include Queen Elizabeth II, Mark Zuckerberg, Tom Brady, Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Mr. Spock.
But we ISTJs tend to have a serious, conservative air about us. Others may perceive ISTJs as unfriendly, at least initially, and impatient in social situations.
We ISTJs communicate in a direct and straightforward way. We are specific and oriented to details, and often communicate primarily to move a task along. The ISTJ typically has a great memory for detail and has a vast storehouse of practical, factual information. Most ISTJs don’t talk for the sake of talking, but will share their knowledge when they see a practical need for it. ISTJs are often no-nonsense and action-oriented in their communication; they tell what they know and what needs to be done.
Why Estate Planning Law?
You may also wonder why I chose this specific profession and subject matter. Well, the answer is that my personality and talents are well suited for it. I can be myself and not have to pretend to be someone that I am not. This career rewards me for simply doing things that I enjoy doing.
I have no desire to confront other lawyers and adversaries on a daily basis. I prefer to be a counselor - someone who can come along beside you and help you tame the beast that is estate and trust law. This area of law allows me the opportunity to do that in the context of important life and death topics, which I care about deeply.
I fully appreciate the brevity of life. It teaches me that significance is far more important than success. There is no point in you being concerned about all of this estate planning stuff if you won't acknowledge your own mortality. And I think it would be silly to hire an attorney who won't either.
Both you and I know that we can't take anything with us when we die. It's all staying behind. There is a reason we say, "You can't take it with you." Because it is true.
Yes, in order to even initiate the process of estate planning, you must admit that your body may actually get old someday. For every day that goes by, you are one day closer to death. I know that is hard for many of us to accept, but accept it you must before you proceed at all. You can no longer assume that you will have always have your charm and good looks, the skip in your step, the ability to make a wisecrack, or the memory to recall an important fact... like your name. Yes, you might even die.
I know some would disagree (including my younger self), but I believe the process of estate planning is a worthy endeavour in and of itself. I'm even willing to disregard the result of it (well, just for the sake of making this point of course). The process forces you to acknowledge your own mortality and think about what really matters in life. Making a commitment to create and maintain a comprehensive estate plan will reduce your anxiety about losing control of your body, mind, and life. The process of estate planning will provide answers to your pressing questions so you can focus on what really matters in life.
I hope you'll make an appointment to get your estate plan up-to-date. There is no better time to do it than right now.
My Myers-Briggs personality type is ISTJ ("Inspector"). ISTJ is an acronym used to describe one of the sixteen personality types created by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers. It stands for Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging. ISTJ indicates a person who is energized by time spent alone (Introverted), who focuses on facts and details rather than ideas and concepts (Sensing), who makes decisions based on logic and reason (Thinking) and who prefers to be planned and organized rather than spontaneous and flexible (Judging). ISTJs are sometimes referred to as Inspector personalities because of their focus on details and interest in doing things correctly.
According to Truity.com, we ISTJs are responsible organizers, driven to create and enforce order within systems and institutions. We are neat and orderly, inside and out, and tend to have a procedure for everything we do. Reliable and dutiful, we ISTJs want to uphold tradition and follow regulations. ISTJs are steady, productive contributors. Famous ISTJs include Queen Elizabeth II, Mark Zuckerberg, Tom Brady, Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Mr. Spock.
But we ISTJs tend to have a serious, conservative air about us. Others may perceive ISTJs as unfriendly, at least initially, and impatient in social situations.
We ISTJs communicate in a direct and straightforward way. We are specific and oriented to details, and often communicate primarily to move a task along. The ISTJ typically has a great memory for detail and has a vast storehouse of practical, factual information. Most ISTJs don’t talk for the sake of talking, but will share their knowledge when they see a practical need for it. ISTJs are often no-nonsense and action-oriented in their communication; they tell what they know and what needs to be done.
Why Estate Planning Law?
You may also wonder why I chose this specific profession and subject matter. Well, the answer is that my personality and talents are well suited for it. I can be myself and not have to pretend to be someone that I am not. This career rewards me for simply doing things that I enjoy doing.
I have no desire to confront other lawyers and adversaries on a daily basis. I prefer to be a counselor - someone who can come along beside you and help you tame the beast that is estate and trust law. This area of law allows me the opportunity to do that in the context of important life and death topics, which I care about deeply.
I fully appreciate the brevity of life. It teaches me that significance is far more important than success. There is no point in you being concerned about all of this estate planning stuff if you won't acknowledge your own mortality. And I think it would be silly to hire an attorney who won't either.
Both you and I know that we can't take anything with us when we die. It's all staying behind. There is a reason we say, "You can't take it with you." Because it is true.
Yes, in order to even initiate the process of estate planning, you must admit that your body may actually get old someday. For every day that goes by, you are one day closer to death. I know that is hard for many of us to accept, but accept it you must before you proceed at all. You can no longer assume that you will have always have your charm and good looks, the skip in your step, the ability to make a wisecrack, or the memory to recall an important fact... like your name. Yes, you might even die.
I know some would disagree (including my younger self), but I believe the process of estate planning is a worthy endeavour in and of itself. I'm even willing to disregard the result of it (well, just for the sake of making this point of course). The process forces you to acknowledge your own mortality and think about what really matters in life. Making a commitment to create and maintain a comprehensive estate plan will reduce your anxiety about losing control of your body, mind, and life. The process of estate planning will provide answers to your pressing questions so you can focus on what really matters in life.
I hope you'll make an appointment to get your estate plan up-to-date. There is no better time to do it than right now.