A Flexible Way to Handle Personal Belongings
Family heirlooms, jewelry, artwork, collectibles. These are often the items that cause the most friction during estate settlement. The issue is not always their dollar value but their emotional weight. Arizona gives you a straightforward way to handle them: a separate written list referenced in your will.
A will may refer to a written statement or list to dispose of items of tangible personal property other than money and not otherwise specifically disposed of by the will.
A.R.S. § 14-2513(A)This means you do not need a formal will amendment every time you decide a specific personal item should go to a different family member. You can update the list on your own, at any time, without involving an attorney or going through the will execution process again.
What the List Must Include
The statute sets clear requirements. The writing must either be entirely in your handwriting or signed and dated by you. It must describe the items and the intended recipients with reasonable certainty. Vague references will not hold up. Specific gifts need clear descriptions.
To be admissible under this section as evidence of the intended disposition, the writing shall either be in the testator's handwriting or be signed by the testator and shall describe the items and the devisees with reasonable certainty.
A.R.S. § 14-2513(B)The list can be prepared before or after the will is executed. It can be altered at any time. It can even be a document that has no significance apart from its effect on the will. The catch: it only applies to tangible personal property, not money, real estate, or financial accounts.
Why This Matters for Families
Household items and personal belongings are often the source of family disagreements after a death. A clear, written list can prevent disputes among family members by removing any ambiguity about who should receive what.
The personal representative is responsible for carrying out the instructions in the separate writing. Having a detailed list makes their job easier and reduces the chance of conflict during estate settlement.
This approach is especially useful for families with many specific personal items of sentimental value. Rather than rewriting your will every time you acquire something new, you simply update the list. It is one of the most practical tools available under Arizona's probate code.