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A.R.S. § 14-10012

How to Deliver or File a Disclaimer in Arizona

Verified April 4, 2026 • 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session

A disclaimer is not effective until it reaches the right person. Arizona law specifies exactly where and to whom a disclaimer must be delivered, depending on the type of property interest being refused, whether it is an inheritance, trust interest, beneficiary designation, or jointly held property.

Title 14, UNIFORM DISCLAIMER OF PROPERTY INTERESTS ACT

azleg.gov

Delivery Depends on the Type of Interest

Filing a disclaimer is not as simple as writing a letter and mailing it to anyone. Arizona law requires delivery to a specific person or entity depending on the nature of the interest being disclaimed. Get it wrong, and the disclaimer may not be valid.

In the case of an interest created under the law of intestate succession or an interest created by will, other than an interest in a testamentary trust: 1. A disclaimer must be delivered to the personal representative of the decedent's estate. 2. If no personal representative is then serving, it must be filed with a court having jurisdiction to appoint the personal representative.

A.R.S. § 14-10012(B)

For interests in a testamentary trust, the disclaimer goes to the trustee. For inter vivos (living) trust interests, it goes to the serving trustee. If no trustee is serving, it gets filed with the court. For revocable trusts disclaimed before they become irrevocable, delivery goes to the settlor.

Beneficiary Designations and Joint Property

Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable-on-death accounts follow their own rules. If the designation has not yet become irrevocable, the disclaimer goes to the person who made the designation. If it has become irrevocable, delivery goes to whoever is obligated to distribute the interest.

For jointly held property, a surviving holder who wants to disclaim must deliver the disclaimer to the person who would receive the disclaimed interest. Arizona also addresses disclaimers involving powers of appointment and agents, each with their own delivery requirements.

The statute defines "beneficiary designation" broadly to include annuities, insurance policies, payable-on-death accounts, securities registered in beneficiary form, retirement plans, and any other nonprobate transfer at death. Understanding which category applies is the first step toward a valid disclaimer.

A. Subject to subsections B through K, delivery of a disclaimer may be effected by personal delivery, first class mail or any other method likely to result in its receipt. B. In the case of an interest created under the law of intestate succession or an interest created by will, other than an interest in a testamentary trust: 1. A disclaimer must be delivered to the personal representative of the decedent's estate. 2. If no personal representative is then serving, it must be filed with a court having jurisdiction to appoint the personal representative. C. In the case of an interest in a testamentary trust: 1. A disclaimer must be delivered to the trustee then serving, or if no trustee is then serving, to the personal representative of the decedent's estate. 2. If no personal representative is then serving, it must be filed with a court having jurisdiction to enforce the trust. D. In the case of an interest in an inter vivos trust: 1. A disclaimer must be delivered to the trustee then surviving. 2. If no trustee is then serving, it must be filed with a court having jurisdiction to enforce the trust. 3. If the disclaimer is made before the time the instrument creating the trust becomes irrevocable, it must be delivered to the settlor of a revocable trust or the transferor of the interest. E. In the case of an interest created by a beneficiary designation made before the time the designation becomes irrevocable, a disclaimer must be delivered to the person making the beneficiary designation. F. In the case of an interest created by a beneficiary designation made after the time the designation becomes irrevocable, a disclaimer must be delivered to the person obligated to distribute the interest. G. In the case of a disclaimer by a surviving holder of jointly held property, the disclaimer must be delivered to the person to whom the disclaimed interest passes. H. In the case of a disclaimer by an object or taker in default of exercise of a power of appointment at any time after the power was created: 1. The disclaimer must be delivered to the holder of the power or to the fiduciary acting under the instrument that created the power. 2. If no fiduciary is then serving, it must be filed with a court having authority to appoint the fiduciary. I. In the case of a disclaimer by an appointee of a nonfiduciary power of appointment: 1. The disclaimer must be delivered to the holder, to the personal representative of the holder's estate or to the fiduciary under the instrument that created the power. 2. If no fiduciary is then serving, it must be filed with a court having authority to appoint the fiduciary. J. In the case of a disclaimer by a fiduciary of a power over a trust or estate, the disclaimer must be delivered as provided in subsection B, C or D as if the power disclaimed were an interest in property. K. In the case of a disclaimer of a power by an agent, the disclaimer must be delivered to the principal or the principal's representative. L. For the purposes of this section, "beneficiary designation" means an instrument, other than an instrument creating a trust, naming the beneficiary of any of the following: 1. An annuity or insurance policy. 2. An account with a designation for payment on death. 3. A security registered in beneficiary form. 4. A pension, profit sharing retirement or other employment related benefits plan. 5. Any other nonprobate transfer at death.
View on azleg.gov

This page provides general legal information about Arizona statutes and is not legal advice. For guidance on how this law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Related Questions

What is probate, and how long does it take in Arizona?

Probate is a court-supervised process that validates a will, pays debts, and distributes assets. In Arizona, it typically takes 8 to 12 months and costs $10,000 to $15,000 in fees.

What is a Revocable Living Trust and how does it work?

A Revocable Living Trust lets you transfer asset ownership into a trust you control during your lifetime. When you pass, a successor trustee distributes assets to beneficiaries without probate.

Do beneficiary designations override my will?

Yes. Retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and life insurance pass by beneficiary designation, not by your will. If an old beneficiary is listed, that designation overrides your current plan.

Related Statutes

§ 14-10001Arizona Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act: Short Title
§ 14-10002Key Definitions Under Arizona's Disclaimer of Property Interests Act
§ 14-10003Scope of Arizona's Disclaimer of Property Interests Act

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