Phoenix firm handling Maricopa County estate and probate matters from its North Central Avenue offices. The trusts-and-estates group administers revocable and irrevocable trusts, takes personal representatives and heirs through formal and informal probate, and litigates will contests and other testamentary disputes. Dedicated tax attorneys handle estate and gift tax planning.
Estate Planning for Maricopa County, Arizona Property Owners
For most Maricopa County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.
For a Maricopa County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Superior Court. The two tools that keep a Maricopa County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Recorder, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Maricopa County property passes through the Superior Court — even simple Arizona probates run 4+ months and start with $306 in filing fees. Arizona also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.
Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Maricopa County
A beneficiary deed names a beneficiary who receives Maricopa County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Recorder during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.
Before recording, an Arizona beneficiary deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentA.R.S. 33-405Verified Oct 18, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathA.R.S. 33-405Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Where to Record Property Documents
Deeds and other real property documents for Maricopa County are recorded with the County Recorder at 301 West Jefferson Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Phone: 1-602-506-3535. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
The County Recorder charges $30 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page beneficiary deed in Maricopa County comes to $30. No transfer tax applies to a beneficiary deed.
Maricopa County accepts electronic recording through Maricopa County Digital Recording Program (Simplifile, CSC and ePN).
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
Maricopa County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
301 West Jefferson Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Website
Fees
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $30 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | No transfer tax applies to TOD deeds |
A.R.S. § 11-475(A)(1)
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Maricopa County
Mesa firm handling probate across Maricopa and Pinal Counties (Casa Grande, San Tan Valley, Florence, Apache Junction), plus Cochise and La Paz. Led by Philip G. Cardis, it guides personal representatives through formal and informal proceedings — appointments, estate inventories, creditor claims, small estate affidavits, final accounting — and drafts wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.
East Valley firm on West Main Street in Mesa, with offices in Peoria and Scottsdale, serving the greater Phoenix area. Handles informal probate, trust administration for successor trustees under the Arizona Trust Code, guardianships and conservatorships, and trust and estate litigation alongside estate planning. Free initial consultation with an attorney.
Glendale firm on West Bell Road serving West Valley and Maricopa County clients. Prepares wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, and pairs estate planning with business formation, succession, and transaction work. Patrick J. Monahan was admitted to the Arizona bar in 2007.
Goodyear firm founded in 1979 by Paul J. Faith, serving West Valley and Maricopa County families from offices in Goodyear and Surprise. Estate work covers wills, powers of attorney, and trusts with estate tax strategies, plus probate and estate administration and guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. Also handles real estate, business law, and bankruptcy.
Scottsdale business firm on North Scottsdale Road whose estate practice serves Maricopa County clients. Estate planning covers contingent trusts for children, administration of vacation property, gifting strategies, and general asset protection, coordinated with the firm's business, tax, and real estate attorneys.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Legal Sources
(2)·
Data sourced from Arizona statutes and official state code. How we research.
Forms for Planning Your Estate in Arizona
Free forms for planning your estate in Arizona: will, living trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney and TOD deed. Prepare each form for Arizona.
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Last Will and Testament
In Arizona, a will is signed before 2A.R.S. § 14-2502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyA.R.S. § 14-2502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Codicil to a Will
In Arizona, a codicil is signed before 2A.R.S. § 14-2502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, like a will, and the self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyA.R.S. § 14-2504Verified Oct 25, 2026View source.
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Healthcare Power of Attorney
Arizona allows a choice for a healthcare power of attorney: 1ARS § 36-3224Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witness or a notary.
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HIPAA Release
In Arizona, a HIPAA release names who may receive your records and, as the state requires, names HIV/AIDS-related informationAriz. Rev. Stat. § 36-664(F), (J)Verified Jun 10, 2026View source expressly before a provider releases it.
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Financial Power of Attorney
Arizona requires explicit durability language for a power of attorney to survive incapacityA.R.S. § 14-5501 through § 14-5506; A.R.S. §§ 14-13109, 14-13110 (RUFADAA)Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and it is signed before 1A.R.S. § 14-5501 through § 14-5506; A.R.S. §§ 14-13109, 14-13110 (RUFADAA)Verified Sep 18, 2026View source witness and a notary.
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Transfer on Death Deed
In Arizona, a beneficiary deed is signed before a notaryA.R.S. 33-405Verified Oct 18, 2026View source, then recorded with the county before the owner's deathA.R.S. 33-405Verified Oct 18, 2026View source. Arizona does not recognize a Lady Bird deed.
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Vehicle Transfer on Death
Arizona allows a transfer-on-death beneficiary designation on a vehicle titleA.R.S. 28-2055(B)Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, filed through the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) using Form 96-0561.
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Living Will
In Arizona, the living will is the Living WillAriz. Rev. Stat. title 36, ch. 32, art. 5 (§§ 36-3261, 36-3262); general provisions art. 1 (§§ 36-3201 to 36-3211)Verified Sep 27, 2026View source, a document of its own, apart from the healthcare power of attorney.
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Tools for Planning Your Estate in Arizona
Free tools for planning your estate in Arizona: will and trust costs, trust or TOD deed, and the signing rules. Run each tool for Arizona and read its answer.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
In Arizona, a will is signed before 2A.R.S. § 14-2502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and notarization is not requiredA.R.S. § 14-2502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Arizona recognizes a will signed under the law of the place where it was signedA.R.S. § 14-2506Verified Oct 18, 2026View source; a will signed in Arizona itself needs 2A.R.S. § 14-2502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and notarization is not requiredA.R.S. § 14-2502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
In Arizona, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 2.2%Modeled estimate under A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%Modeled estimate under A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
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How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable living trust in Arizona runs $3,760Estimate: 10 hours at $376, Clio's Arizona Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,640Estimate: 15 hours at $376, Clio's Arizona Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
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How Much Does a Will Cost?
An attorney-prepared will in Arizona runs $1,173Estimate: 3 hours at $391, Clio's Arizona Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,346Estimate: 6 hours at $391, Clio's Arizona Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $27,670A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?
Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.
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How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children?
In Arizona, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a willA.R.S. §§ 14-5202, 14-5203, 14-5204(B), 14-5410(A)(6)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18A.R.S. § 1-215(19)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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Do I Need a Revocable Trust?
Probate in Arizona takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees of typically 2.2%Modeled estimate under A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%Modeled estimate under A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
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Arizona Estate Planning Articles
Estate planning articles for Arizona.
