Control, clarity, and peace of mind
Will Preparation in Arizona
Put your wishes for your estate in writing. RJP helps you prepare for a conversation with the partner attorneys we work with about your beneficiaries, your personal representative and guardian nominations.
Wills in Arizona: the short answer
- What it is
- A last will and testament says who receives property that passes through your estate, names a personal representative to settle it and can nominate a guardian for minor children. It takes effect only at death and is carried out through probate.
- Who it is for in Arizona
- Adults who want their wishes in writing, parents who need to nominate a guardian, and anyone with a trust who needs a pour-over will to catch assets left outside it.
- What RJP does
- We help you think through beneficiaries, backup choices and the people for each role, gather what the attorney will need and coordinate the rest of your plan around the will.
- What the attorney does
- The independent Arizona attorneys we work with advise you on what the will should say, prepare it and the self-proving affidavit, and confirm it is signed and witnessed as Arizona law requires.
What a Will Actually Does
A last will states who should receive property passing through your estate after death and names the person you want to handle your estate, called a personal representative. It can also nominate a guardian for minor children. A will does not replace powers of attorney for decisions during your lifetime.
A will does not control every asset or avoid probate by itself. Beneficiary designations, ownership arrangements and a living trust can affect how property passes.
Documents to Discuss for Your Will Plan
Start with your family, your property and the choices you want to make. The documents included in your plan depend on your circumstances and the services you agree to.
- Last Will and Testament: Directions for your estate, your choice of personal representative and guardian nominations where needed.
- Pour-over will when paired with a trust: Directs estate assets to your trust after death. Assets passing through the will may still need probate.
- Separate healthcare documents: A living will records treatment wishes. It does not direct who inherits your property.
- Signing and future reviews: Ask which signing arrangements, document storage and future reviews are included in your plan.
Why Families Choose RJP
Attorney-Drafted, Advisor-Guided
Clients separately consult the independent attorneys we work with for legal advice and document preparation. RJP helps coordinate nonlegal planning steps. On average, our clients pay about half compared to a traditional law firm.
Plan Reviews
When your family or circumstances change, contact RJP to discuss a review and any legal updates that may be needed.
Settlement Support for Your Family
Ask how RJP can help your family understand the next steps after a death and when separate legal services may be needed.
Your will should reflect your current wishes. Review it after major life changes, and discuss legal questions with the attorney preparing your documents.
For your first conversation, gather any existing will or trust, a rough list of assets and beneficiaries, and the names of people you may choose as personal representative or guardian. You do not need every detail settled before you get in touch.
Put It in Writing If...
Any of these apply to you.
- Parents with Minor Children. Record guardian nominations for minor children and discuss how the appointment process works.
- Trust Owners. Discuss a pour-over will for estate assets outside your trust.
- Anyone with Property. Coordinate estate instructions with account beneficiaries and property ownership.
- People with Specific Wishes. Want to leave something to a friend, a charity, or a specific family member? Put it in writing.
| Option | Will only | Pour-over will with a living trust | No will |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who decides who inherits | You, in the will | You, mostly in the trust; the will catches anything left out | Arizona's intestacy statutes |
| Probate | Usually required for probate assets above the small-estate limits | Usually avoided for funded trust assets; the will covers leftovers | Required for probate assets, with a court-appointed personal representative |
| Guardian for minor children | Nominated in the will | Nominated in the will | Chosen by the court |
| Privacy | Public court record once probated | Trust terms stay private | Public court record |
| Incapacity planning | None; needs separate powers of attorney | Trust handles trust assets; powers of attorney cover the rest | None |
Your Next Step
Two ways to start. Attend a free in-person seminar in Phoenix or Tucson to hear the whole picture first, or book a one-on-one consultation if you already know what you need. Either way, the first conversation is free and there is no obligation.
Who You Will Work With
RJP planners meet with you, explain the options and coordinate the nonlegal steps. The independent attorneys we work with advise you and prepare your documents.
Senior Planning Consultant | CLDP | Licensed Insurance Agent
RJP Estate Planning · Certified Legal Document Preparer (CLDP) · Licensed Insurance Agent
Your First Step Starts Here
At our live, free estate planning seminars across Phoenix and Tucson, we walk you through how to protect you and your loved ones from probate. We give you a step-by-step plan that's simple and clear. Sign up today for peace of mind tomorrow.
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Common Will Preparation Questions
Answers to the questions Arizona families ask most about will preparation.
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