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.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

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 Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathA.R.S. 33-405Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Create a ArizonaTOD deed →Maricopa Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Maricopa County are recorded with the County Recorder at 301 W. Jefferson Street, Second Floor, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Phone: 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. A beneficiary deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Maricopa County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile / CSC / eRecording Partners Network.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Maricopa County

Address

301 W. Jefferson Street, Second Floor, Suite 200Phoenix, AZ 85003

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

E-recording

Available via Simplifile / CSC / eRecording Partners NetworkE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$30
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

A.R.S. § 11-475(A)(1)

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Maricopa County

FirmPhoenix, AZ

Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A.

Since 1970 · Serves 1 county

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTax Planning

Office
1850 N Central Ave, Suite 1700Phoenix, AZ 85004

FirmMesa, AZ

Cardis Law Group, PLLC

Serves 4 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateAsset Protectionand 2 more

Office
2929 N Power Rd, Suite 101Mesa, AZ 85215
Free consultation

FirmMesa, AZ

Copper Canyon Law, LLC

Serves 1 county

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more

Office
1 W Main StMesa, AZ 85201
Free consultation

Solo PracticeGlendale, AZ

Desert Valley Law, PLLC

Serves 1 county

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness Law

Office
7025 W Bell Rd, Suite 8Glendale, AZ 85308

FirmGoodyear, AZ

Faith Law, PLC

Since 1979 · Serves 1 county

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateConservatorshipand 3 more

Office
1360 N Bullard Ave, Ste 201Goodyear, AZ 85395
Free consultation

FirmScottsdale, AZ

Galbut Beabeau, P.C.

Serves 1 county

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningAsset ProtectionBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
6720 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 305Scottsdale, AZ 85253
See all 41 firms serving Maricopa County→

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.

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