Estate Planning for Pima County, Arizona Property Owners

For most Pima 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 Pima 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 Pima 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.

Skipping this planning step means the Superior Court decides who receives the property: a simple Arizona probate takes 4+ months and opens with $366 in court 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 Pima County

A beneficiary deed names a beneficiary who receives Pima 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 →Pima Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Pima County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Gabriella Cazares-Kelly, at 240 N. Stone Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701. Phone: 520-724-4350. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 3145, Tucson, AZ 85702-3145.

The County Recorder charges $30 flat, regardless of page count. A 2-page beneficiary deed costs $30 to record in Pima County. A beneficiary deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Pima County accepts electronic recording through Pima County self-service Document Recording portal.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Pima County · Gabriella Cazares-Kelly

Address

240 N. Stone AvenueTucson, AZ 85701Mailing: PO Box 3145, Tucson, AZ 85702-3145

Hours

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

E-recording

Available via Pima County self-service Document Recording portalE-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 Pima County

FirmTucson, AZ

Bogutz & Gordon, PC

Since 1984 · Serves 1 county

Tucson firm serving Pima County and southern Arizona since 1984 from its North Campbell Avenue office. Handles probate and trust administration for personal representatives and trustees, guardianships and conservatorships, and estate planning and elder law. The firm can also serve directly as trustee, guardian, conservator, or personal representative. Initial consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
3503 N Campbell Ave, Ste 101Tucson, AZ 85719
Free consultation

FirmTucson, AZ

DeConcini McDonald Yetwin & Lacy, P.C.

Since 1968 · Serves 2 counties

Founded in Tucson in 1968 and now among Southern Arizona's largest multidisciplinary firms, with a second office in Phoenix. Its estates and trusts group represents clients in contested and uncontested estate and trust administration, including will contests, intestacy matters, and guardianships and conservatorships, and prepares wills and trusts with related tax planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 8 more

Office
2525 E Broadway Blvd, Suite 200Tucson, AZ 85716

Solo PracticeTucson, AZ

Doug Newborn Law Firm, PLLC

Serves 1 county

Tucson firm on Oracle Road handling probate, estate planning, and probate litigation in Pima County. The firm guides personal representatives through estate administration and handles will contests and disputes among beneficiaries. Offers free consultations.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 7 more

Office
7315 N Oracle Rd, Suite 230Tucson, AZ 85704
Free consultation

FirmTucson, AZ

Duffield Adamson & Helenbolt, P.C.

Since 1963 · Serves 1 county

Tucson and Green Valley firm with 60+ years of continuous Southern Arizona practice, successor to Spaid, Fish, Briney & Duffield. Handles estate planning, probate and trust administration, and elder law including VA benefit planning for Pima and Santa Cruz County families, plus gift, estate, and generation-skipping tax work.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 5 more

Office
3430 E Sunrise Dr, Suite 200Tucson, AZ 85718

Solo PracticeGreen Valley, AZ

Esperanza Law Office

Serves 1 county

Green Valley practice on South La Canada Drive serving Pima County and southern Arizona. Handles probate, guardianships and conservatorships for minors and adults, and wills and trusts packages. Se habla espanol.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianship

Office
101 S La Canada Drive, Suite 28Green Valley, AZ 85614

FirmTucson, AZ

Fleming & Curti, PLC

Since 1994 · Serves 1 county

Tucson elder law firm on East River Road, a fixture in the city since 1994. The practice covers probate, estate and trust administration, guardianship and conservatorship, and special needs planning, and the firm serves as trustee and licensed fiduciary in select cases. Telephone and video conferences are accommodated in place of office meetings; initial consultations carry a fee.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 6 more

Office
1745 E River Rd, Suite 101Tucson, AZ 85718
Virtual consultations
See all 24 firms serving Pima 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.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Arizona statutes and official state code. How we research.

Arizona Estate Planning Articles

Estate planning articles for Arizona.