Guides
Long-form guides to Arizona estate planning, written by the firm.
Quick Answers
Common questions answered briefly. Each entry links to the full write-up with statute citations.
- 01
What is the difference between a will and a trust in Arizona?
A will goes through probate after death. A trust avoids probate and transfers assets privately. Most Arizona families use both together for full protection.
- 02
What is a living trust in Arizona and how does it work?
A living trust in Arizona lets you transfer assets into a trust you control during your lifetime. When you pass, a successor trustee distributes assets privately, without probate.
- 03
How much does estate planning cost in Arizona?
Estate planning costs in Arizona range from $500 to $1,500 for a basic will to $2,500 to $5,000+ for a trust-based plan. Flat-fee pricing gives you a clear total upfront.
- 04
What is probate, and how long does it take in Arizona?
Probate is a court-supervised process to validate a will, pay debts, and distribute assets. In Arizona, it typically takes 8 to 12 months and costs $10,000 to $15,000.
- 05
How does a reverse mortgage work in Arizona?
A reverse mortgage lets Arizona homeowners aged 62 or older borrow against their home equity without monthly mortgage payments. The most common type is a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
- 06
Why do I need a financial power of attorney in Arizona?
A financial power of attorney lets you choose who manages your money if you cannot. Without one, your family faces a costly court conservatorship in Arizona.
Glossary
Short definitions for the legal and financial terms used throughout this site.
By Life Event
Estate planning typically begins with a life event. Pick the moment that matches.
Estate Planning When You Get Married in Arizona
Estate Planning After a Divorce in Arizona
Estate Planning for a Child with Special Needs in Arizona
Estate Planning When You Inherit Property in Arizona
Estate Planning When You Retire in Arizona
Estate Planning for Blended Families in Arizona
Estate Planning When a Spouse Dies in Arizona
Estate Planning After a Serious Diagnosis in Arizona
Arizona Law Library
Summaries of the Arizona Revised Statutes governing wills, trusts, probate, powers of attorney, and protected proceedings. Each entry links to the official A.R.S. text.
- A.R.S. §14-10001
Disclaimer of Property Interests Act
This section sets the official name of the Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act. The act governs how a person can legally refuse a property interest. It covers refusals from wills, trusts, beneficiary forms, and intestate succession.
- A.R.S. §14-10002
Disclaimer Act: Key Definitions
This section defines the five key terms used throughout the disclaimer law. Understanding what a disclaimant, disclaimed interest, disclaimer, fiduciary, and jointly held property mean is essential. These definitions apply to anyone considering whether to refuse an inheritance or property interest.
- A.R.S. §14-10003
Scope of the Disclaimer Act
This section establishes that the disclaimer law applies to any interest in or power over property, regardless of when it was created. Whether the property right came from a decades-old will or a recent trust, the same disclaimer rules apply.
- A.R.S. §14-10004
Other Laws That Work With the Trust Code
The Trust Code does not work alone. When it does not cover a specific issue, broader rules of law and equity step in. This law also protects your right to waive, release, disclaim, or give up a property interest under any other law.
- A.R.S. §14-10005
Power to Disclaim Property Interests in Arizona: Requirements and Rules
Any person may formally refuse an interest in or power over property. This applies even if the original document has a spendthrift clause. A disclaimer must be in writing, signed, and properly delivered. Once delivered, it is final.
- A.R.S. §14-10006
What Happens When You Disclaim an Interest in Property in Arizona
When someone disclaims an interest in property, the law treats them as if they died before the distribution date. The disclaimed interest passes according to the instrument's instructions. If the instrument is silent, the property moves to the next person in line.
In the Press
Coverage and quotes from Forbes, CNBC, U.S. News, Barron's, and other outlets.
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