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Lisa Kurtz Keylon

also known as Ahead Of The Curve Law®
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Avvo Rating9.0
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Licensed for 29 years
Lisa Kurtz Keylon
Lisa Kurtz Keylon
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About Lisa

Stay ahead of the curve--take control of your life and assets! Plan your affairs with Lisa Keylon.

I am an Arizona native and grew up with my five siblings near Camelback Mountain after my parents settled in Phoenix in 1959 to establish my father's urology practice, Urology Associates, Ltd.

I attended Kiva Elementary School and Xavier College Preparatory in Arizona. I then went to Evanston, Illinois to attend Northwestern University. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Speech, having majored in Theater and Speech Education. I returned to Phoenix and coached debaters, taught theatre and began coaching lawyers. With a desire to practice locally, attending ASU's College of Law in Tempe, Arizona was a logical choice for where to earn my juris doctorate. While there, I served as Moot Court Chairman, co-taught "Courtroom as Theatre" and received upon graduation both the Excellence in Advocacy Award and Matheson Service Award.
 
I started practicing law as a prosecutor in the Vehicular Crimes Division at the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. Begam, Lewis, Marks & Wolfe then hired me to handle the day to day workings of the Multidistrict Breast Implant Ligitation, for which the firm was the state liaison. In addition to those responsibilities, I was a trial advocate in a successful plaintiffs personal injury and wrongful death practice. During the next decade, I represented plaintiff victims in a multitude of areas: juvenile prison release cases, auto wreck cases, slip and fall cases, burn cases, insurance bad faith cases, nursing home elder abuse cases and the list goes on. I have been published in The Arizona Attorney, The Advocate, and the ATLA Section Newsletter. I have served in leadership roles with the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association and the Arizona Women's Lawyers Association.
 
After taking a hiatus to begin a family, I returned to the practice of law in 2009 when I was invited to serve as lead counsel in a probate dispute. While working through the issues, it was clear to me that many of the problems arose because of poor estate planning and poor communication within that family. I became passionate about helping families avoid this kind of problem by improving their estate plans and by helping them improve family dynamics with better communication strategies.
 
I opened my own practice in 2010 and served clients until I was invited to join Mark Bregman, Esq. in downtown Phoenix.  When our practice merged to become Dyer Bregman & Ferris, I decided that I preferred to help people outside of a large firm environment.  That is when I re-opened my private practice in May 2016 using my dba: Ahead Of The Curve Law®
 
My goal is to help families manage and transfer their assets during periods of incapacity and on death in the way that offers them the control they desire with the level of complexity that is right for their families.   I want to help them create a more fluid process more fluid.  I want them to consider protecting their assets from creditors and bankruptcy and divorce and understand how that is accomplished.  I want to help them control capital gains tax in the era where that is the greater risk than incurring estate tax.  Perhaps most, important, I want them to know that they can call me with with quetions and concerns without facing a big fee every six minutes!
 
I try to balance my practice with my family life, which includes my husband, Jim, and two sons, Luke and Sam. My 86 year old mother lives with me part of the year too. I am deeply committed to voluntarism and currently work with the Boy Scouts, in my sons' middle and high schools, at Valley Presbyterian Church and on the board for the Phoenix Chapter of the Society for Financial Service Professionals. 
 

I love people. I love to help. I hope I can be of some service to you.

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Practice areas

OtherProbatePower of attorneyWills and living willsTrusts
  1. Trusts: 50%

    11 years

  2. Wills and living wills: 25%

    11 years

  3. Power of attorney: 15%

    11 years

  4. Probate: 5%

    11 years

  1. Limited liability company (LLC): 5%

    10 years

Languages spoken

English

Client's Choice 2014

Photos and videos

408691 1347479563

Contact

Lisa Kurtz Keylon, PLC / DBA Ahead Of The Curve Law

11811 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite P-112
Phoenix, AZ, 85028

Website
http://aheadofthecurvelaw.com/ 

      Resume

      License
      StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
      AZActive 199209/05/2021
      We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
      Avvo Contributions
      Legal answers0
      Legal guides27
      Awards
      Award nameGrantorDate granted
      Alan P. Matheson Service AwardArizona State University College of Law1992
      Outstanding Senior in Speech EducationNorthwestern University1987
      Outstanding Written OrationFreedoms Foundation at Valley Forge1984
      DePaoli - Kurtz Forensic AwardXavier College Preparatory1983
      Work Experience
      TitleCompany nameDuration
      Founding AttorneyAhead Of The Curve Law®2016 - Present
      Associate AttorneyLaw Office of Mark Bregman2014 - 2016
      Managing AttorneyLisa Kurtz Keylon, PLC2010 - 2015
      Associate AttorneyCure Law Firm2000 - 2000
      AttorneyKeylon Law Firm2000 - 2010
      Associate AttorneyBegam Lewis Marks & Wolfe1993 - 1999
      Deputy County AttorneyMaricopa County Attorney's Ofc1992 - 1993
      Summer AssociateJones, Skelton & Hochuli, PLC1991 - 1991
      Summer AssociateLangerman, Begam, Lewis & Marks1990 - 1991
      Associations
      Association namePosition nameDuration
      North Phoenix Chamber of CommerceSteering Committee for Senior Care2019 - Present
      WealthCounsel and Arizona Forum of WealthCounselMember2010 - Present
      Presbyterian Church USAElder2001 - Present
      Society of Financial Service ProfessionalsVice President. Chair of Program Committee2018 - 2019
      Society of Financial Service ProfessionalsVice President / Co-Chair Membership and Sponsorship2017 - 2018
      Society of Financial Service ProfessionalsBoard of Directors / Membership Chair2016 - 2018
      State Bar of ArizonaExecutive Council for Elder and Mental Health Law Section2010 - 2012
      The Junior League of Phoenix, Inc.President2004 - 2005
      American Trial Lawyers AssociationPremises, Highway and MVA Section, Vice Chair1999 - 2000
      Arizona Trial Lawyers AssociationConsumer Action Auto Research Task Force, Member1998 - 2000
      Arizona Womens Lawyers AssociationSteering Committee for Maricopa Chapter, Member1998 - 1999
      American Trial Lawyers AssociationWomen Lawyers Committee, Arizona Liaison1995 - 2000
      Publications
      Publication nameTitleDate
      American Trial Lawyers Association NewsletterOffers of Judgment1999
      AdvocateNon Parties at Fault1997
      Arizona AttorneyVoire Dire1992
      Education
      School nameDegreeGraduated
      Arizona State UniversityJuris Doctorate1992
      Northwestern UniversityBS - Bachelor of Science1987
      Xavier College PreparatoryDiploma1983
      Speaking Engagements
      Conference nameTitleDate
      Arizona Forum WealthCounselPractice Panel TIPS2019
      C2 Tactical Gun Range: Shedding Light on Gun TrustsFirearms Estate Planning2018
      CEPA Monthly MeetingGetting My Guns To A Good Home2017
      Maravilla Educational ProgramHealth Emergency Planning2017
      Foundation for Senior LivingEstate Planning2016
      Wild West Money Makers Monthly MeetingShedding Light on Gun Trusts2016
      2015 AZ Forum Spring ConferenceGetting My Guns To A Good Home2015
      Gun Trusts 101- Maricopa Mounted Sherriff's PosseGun Trusts2013
      LawReviewCle:Estate Planning BasicsEstate Planning Basics2013
      Jewish Legal Aid Education EventWills, Trusts, and Estates: A Practical Approach2013
      Rio Salado Sportsman's Club: Getting My Guns To A Good HomeFirearms Estate Planning2013
      Pebble Creek Gun Club MeetingFirearms Estate Planning: Getting My Guns To A Good Home2013
      Greer Community Center: Estate Planning and Gun TrustsEstate Planning and Gun Trusts2012
      Rio Salado Sportsman's Club: Firearms Estate PlanningShedding Light on Gun Trusts2012
      BNI electronic seminarProbate: Cleaning Up the Joint Tenancy Mess2012
      National Business Institute: TrustsTrusts 1012012
      Legal cases
      Case nameOutcome
      Clients and Cases Confidential and Privileged

      Reviews

      (14)5.0 stars
      5 Star
      		93%
      4 Star
      		7%
      3 Star
      		0%
      2 Star
      		0%
      1 Star
      		0%
      Review Lisa Keylon

      Great common sense lawyer, always a pleasure

      5.0 stars

      Posted by

      We have known Lisa for 7 years as she did some previous trust work for us with excellent results. Our family trust required updates and we went again to Lisa due to the great experience from the past. Lisa is very knowledgeable on the subjects and explains everything in a way that a non-legal person can understand. In addition she is very personable and easy to work with on these matters which at times can get a bit intense! The entire process went well and we are very pleased. We have additional trust work to update that have already retained Lisa to start in April. You will not be disappointed with Lisa, very professional and courteous.
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      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Lisa is Fabulous to work with.

      5.0 stars

      Posted by

      Lisa is absolutely the best! I was between a rock and a hard place. I was getting divorced and buying a new home. My ex husband to be refused to sign the paperwork stating that he would have absolutely no ownership in the house. The title company wanted that paperwork signed. My ex was just being as difficult as possible. Boy, could I tell you some stories about that. Lol. The title company suggested that I open a trust and buy the house through the trust and then he wouldn’t need to sign the disclaimer. Lisa Keylon was referred to me by my insurance guy. I called her and she immediately knew what we needed to do. I was working on a short time window and my house was set to close in 10 days. I am still amazed that she was able to get everything done and I bought my house through my new Trust. I also did my living will and power of attorneys ect. along with the trust. She gave great advice and definitely had a vast knowledge of the law regarding trusts and estate planning. I recommend her highly.
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      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Phenomenal People Skills

      5.0 stars

      Posted by

      Lisa demonstrated phenomenal people skills with unbelievable expertise. I was so impressed with her patience and perseverance throughout her multi-management of the process. I always felt confident and secure that the best solutions were always achieved. She has an amazing ability to reach and embrace all cultures and actively learn about differences as the case progressed to finality. The entire process seemed amazingly smooth thanks to her incredible timelines and structural organization. Lisa definitely mastered the art of perfection in her work. I was extremely pleased with the end product and would recommend her highly from the perspective of a return or new client.
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      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Client

      5.0 stars

      Posted by

      When I moved to the Phoenix area, a business associate referred me to Lisa Keylon. After having previously worked with two different trust attorneys, I can sincerely say that Lisa is awesome! What a difference in the level of service that Lisa provides. She is completely thorough, extremely knowledgeable, and entirely dedicated to MY specific wishes and needs. I wholeheartedly recommend Lisa Keylon, without reservation.
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      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Recommendation

      5.0 stars

      Posted by

      I had the pleasure of hiring Lisa for a very difficult situation regarding my mother. After our initial phone call, Lisa graciously met us at Banner Hospital where my mother was being treated for 3 types of cancer. She sensitively attained all of the information required to make my mother's will and power of attorney. Lisa was very careful, thorough and kind during what was a very sad time for our family. We did not know it at the time, but my mother would pass away 2 months later. Lisa found and corrected a glitch for which had not hired her, would have posed a huge problem for us and cost us a lot of money to deal with later. She kindly spent time on the phone with me due to me living in Pennsylvania, all while making the whole process very affordable. She is not a nickel and dime attorney and she has a giant heart. She was there for us at all times and we were consistently able to get ahold of her or her assistant. There were a few occasions that I needed something that was time sensitive and she dropped everything to handle it right then and there. She was not only our attorney, but was also a friend to us. I highly recommend Lisa Keylon and her thorough and sensitive work an estate planner.
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      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Very Satisfied

      5.0 stars

      Posted by

      We are very glad to have found Lisa to guide us through our estate planning, which while not horribly complex, included some special attention towards our deaf daughter and an inherited IRA. Lisa and her staff were very thorough in all this. Importantly, her work does not end with delivering the plan or trust, but continues to make certain the instrument is properly funded and put in place. In our situation, this involved communication between Lisa and our financial advisor, both working to make everything run smoothly. That advisor was so impressed with Lisa (he has worked with Many lawyers), that he now recommends her to his clients in the Phoenix area.
      More
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Comfortable Experience

      5.0 stars

      Posted by

      I was in need of a complete estate plan review and update, and Lisa was one of three attorneys recommended. After telephone interviews, I was comfortable going to the next step - a personal interview. The interview went exceptionally well, and I knew she was the one to do what I expected. My original trust documents were completed in 2001, and were in need of significant modification. Lisa listened carefully and took the time to develop all that was necessary in a complete estate plan. I could not have asked for a better job. She worked closely with my financial planner of 20 years, and incorporated their suggestions - since they had worked with me for so many years. The end result was a complete and professional plan that I am confident was worth every penny spent. I would recommend her to anyone for development of a detailed estate plan. She and her staff were very impressive.
      More
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      I highly recommend Lisa Kurtz Keylon

      5.0 stars

      Posted by

      My Living Trust was created in 1997. As the time went by and so many items and people and my desires listed in the trust had changed. I felt very uncomfortable and hoped that nothing would happen to me before the trust was re-stated. Looking for a good lawyer I asked around and even interviewed a couple. Neither felt like the 'right' lawyer. Then, I was recommended to Lisa. I immediately felt confident about her and used her. I gave her excellent results for each of the review ratings on Avvo. She deserved each. She was more like a friend who had a genuine interest in setting up the trust the way that it should be and for what I wanted to accomplish.
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      Progressive, high quality estate planning lawyer in Scottsdale

      5.0 stars

      Posted by

      Lisa really helped us make sense out of a complicated his, hers and theirs type of situation. She helped us understand our estate planning options, then let us decide what path would be right for us. The trust she prepared for us is robust, and has provisions for nearly everything that might happen to us over the next several years. In the end, she took the time to explain all the parts of the trust documents, including identifying the part that might need to be updated over time as our situation changes.
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      Charitable Remainder Trust client

      5.0 stars

      Posted by

      Lisa is very professional and at the same time personable. My experience was with a Charitable Remainder Trust client. I am one of the other advisors for the client. Lisa was very inclusive and helpful to the other members of the team: financial planner and administrator. Lisa made a complex process easy for the client to understand. The clients seemed very pleased with the process and the results of Lisa's work.
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      Attorney endorsements

      (5)
      Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer
      Lawyer Mark Bregman

      Mark Bregman, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 23, 2015
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      I endorse this lawyer because she is an energetic and caring lawyer who knows how to ask the right questions and design a superlative trust based estate plan using the latest tools, techniques, and theories for any size estate. Whether you are new to estate planning or need to revisit your outdated estate plan, you will be happy you met and worked with Lisa. I encourage you to call her today.

      Lawyer Paul E. Deloughery

      Paul Deloughery, Trusts Attorney on Aug 10, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Lisa has become really familiar with gun trusts. And her knowledge is certainly not merely theoretical. She is a gun owner herself, and enjoys talking about shooting. Plus she and I worked on various probate cases a few years ago, so I know she is familiar with estate planning and probate issues. A fair number of estate planning attorneys approach the subject from a theoretical standpoint, but they make mistakes because they haven't had to deal with the aftermath when things weren't set up properly. Lisa has had personal experience with estate planning and probate issues, and she brings that experience to bear when helping her clients.

      Lawyer Mark Bregman

      Mark Bregman, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 23, 2015
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      I endorse this lawyer because she is an energetic and caring lawyer who knows how to ask the right questions and design a superlative trust based estate plan using the latest tools, techniques, and theories for any size estate. Whether you are new to estate planning or need to revisit your outdated estate plan, you will be happy you met and worked with Lisa. I encourage you to call her today.

      Lawyer Paul E. Deloughery

      Paul Deloughery, Trusts Attorney on Aug 10, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Lisa has become really familiar with gun trusts. And her knowledge is certainly not merely theoretical. She is a gun owner herself, and enjoys talking about shooting. Plus she and I worked on various probate cases a few years ago, so I know she is familiar with estate planning and probate issues. A fair number of estate planning attorneys approach the subject from a theoretical standpoint, but they make mistakes because they haven't had to deal with the aftermath when things weren't set up properly. Lisa has had personal experience with estate planning and probate issues, and she brings that experience to bear when helping her clients.

      Lawyer David Robert Duringer

      David Duringer, Trusts Attorney on Feb 5, 2014
      Relationship: Other

      I endorse this lawyer for estate planning, especially for any gun-owning families in Arizona. Lisa is a respected colleague in the niche area of gun trust planning, and an excellent resource for both attorneys and clients.

      Lawyer Holly R Gieszl

      Holly Gieszl, Wills and living wills Attorney on Dec 5, 2013
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. Experienced; Talented; Committed to clients.

      Lawyer Ilene L McCauley

      Ilene McCauley, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 4, 2012
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. Lisa is a fine attorney with great expertise in wills and trust and estate administration. She has many years of experience in working with clients in this area of law. She is thorough, effective and her clients love to work with her. I strongly recommend her.

      Cost

      RATES
      • Hourly Rates $135-$350/hour
      PAYMENT METHODS

      Cash, Check, Credit Card