Probate, trust, deed, and tax forms — explained in plain English, with the official PDF link for each.
An Arizona beneficiary deed transfers real estate to a named beneficiary at the owner's death without probate, under A.R.S. § 33-405. The owner signs and notarizes the deed during life, then records it with the county recorder where the property sits. Title passes automatically at death once the beneficiary records a certified death certificate.
Official PDF on Arizona County Recorders (statutory form, A.R.S. § 33-405)An Arizona durable financial power of attorney lets the principal name an agent to manage bank accounts, real estate, and tax matters if the principal loses capacity. Under A.R.S. § 14-5501, the document is valid only if signed by the principal, witnessed by one adult who is not the agent, and notarized at the same time.
Official PDF on Arizona Statutory Form (A.R.S. Title 14)An Arizona healthcare power of attorney under A.R.S. § 36-3221 lets you name an agent to make medical decisions if you cannot speak for yourself. It must be signed by you and witnessed by one adult who is not your provider, spouse, heir, or financially responsible for your care, or notarized.
Official PDF on Arizona Department of Health ServicesAn Arizona living will under A.R.S. § 36-3262 tells doctors what life-sustaining treatment you want or refuse if you cannot speak for yourself. It must be signed by you and either notarized or witnessed by one adult who is not your healthcare provider, your spouse, an heir, or directly financially responsible for your care.
Official PDF on Arizona Department of Health ServicesAn Arizona quit claim deed transfers whatever interest the grantor has in a property to the grantee, with no warranty of title. It is the right tool for transferring between spouses, into or out of a living trust, or among family members, but a bad choice for arms-length sales where the buyer needs a warranty.
Official PDF on Arizona County RecordersArizona MVD Form 96-0561 names a transfer-on-death beneficiary on a vehicle title, letting the car or boat pass to the named person at the owner's death without probate. The owner completes and signs the form, mails or brings it to an MVD office with the current title, and pays a $4 title fee. At death, the beneficiary presents a certified death certificate and the title transfers.
Official PDF on Arizona Motor Vehicle DivisionIRS Form 709 is the federal gift tax return filed by any donor who gives more than the annual exclusion ($18,000 per recipient in 2024) to one person in a year, who gifts to a trust, or who wants to split gifts with a spouse. The return is due April 15 of the year after the gift. No tax is usually owed; the form just tracks the donor's lifetime exemption use.
Official PDF on Internal Revenue ServiceThe Arizona small estate affidavit (AOC PBSEA1F) lets a successor collect a decedent's personal property without opening probate when the personal property value is $75,000 or less. The successor signs the affidavit 30 days after death, attaches a certified death certificate, and presents it directly to the bank or institution holding the asset.
Official PDF on Arizona Administrative Office of the CourtsArizona's small estate affidavit for real property (AOC PBSEA2F) transfers a decedent's home to heirs without full probate when the net equity is $100,000 or less. The successor waits six months after death, then files the affidavit in the superior court of the county where the property sits, attaches a certified death certificate, and records the court-certified copy with the county recorder.
Official PDF on Arizona Administrative Office of the CourtsIRS Form SS-4 applies for an Employer Identification Number for an estate, an irrevocable trust, or a revocable trust that became irrevocable at the grantor's death. The personal representative or trustee applies online at IRS.gov and receives the EIN immediately. Every Arizona estate and most post-death trusts need one before opening an estate bank account or filing Form 1041.
Official PDF on Internal Revenue ServiceIRS Form 1041 is the income tax return for an estate or trust. The personal representative files it for any tax year in which the estate has gross income of $600 or more or any taxable income. It also issues Schedule K-1 to each beneficiary reporting distributable net income. The first return is due 3.5 months after the fiscal year ends.
Official PDF on Internal Revenue ServiceIRS Form 706 is the federal estate tax return filed by the personal representative of a U.S. decedent whose gross estate plus prior taxable gifts exceeds the federal exemption ($13.61M per person in 2024). It is also filed at any value to elect portability of a deceased spouse's unused exemption. The return is due 9 months after death; a 6-month extension is available on Form 4768.
Official PDF on Internal Revenue ServiceAOC PBF13F is the application filed in Arizona superior court to open informal probate when the decedent died without a will. It asks the registrar to appoint a personal representative under intestate priority and issue letters of administration. The court typically issues letters within 7-14 days of filing when the application is clean.
Official PDF on Arizona Administrative Office of the CourtsAOC PBF1F is the application a person nominated in an Arizona will files in superior court to open informal probate. It asks the registrar to admit the will and issue letters testamentary so the personal representative can settle the estate. Most applications are processed without a hearing within 7-14 days of filing.
Official PDF on Arizona Administrative Office of the CourtsArizona letters testamentary (or letters of administration if no will exists) are the court-issued certificate proving a personal representative has authority to act for the estate. The clerk of the superior court issues them after the informal or formal probate application is approved. Banks, brokerages, and title companies require a certified copy issued within the last 60 days.
Official PDF on Arizona Administrative Office of the Courts