Estate Planning for Yuma County, Arizona Property Owners

For most Yuma 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 Yuma 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 Yuma 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, Yuma County property passes through the Superior Court — even simple Arizona probates run 4+ months and start with about $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 Yuma County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Yuma County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by David Lara, at 298 S. Main Street, Yuma, AZ 85364. Phone: 928-373-6020. 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 Yuma County comes to $30. A beneficiary deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Yuma County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile / CSC / eRecording Partners Network / Indecomm / Data Services Inc.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Yuma County · David Lara

Address

298 S. Main StreetYuma, AZ 85364

Fax

928-373-6024

Hours

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

E-recording

Available via Simplifile / CSC / eRecording Partners Network / Indecomm / Data Services Inc.E-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 Yuma County

FirmYuma, AZ

Benesch, Shadle & White, PLC

Since 1920 · Serves 2 counties

Yuma general practice serving Yuma and La Paz counties plus neighboring Imperial County, California, in practice since 1920. Handles probate and probate litigation alongside estate planning, wills and trusts, real estate, business, and agricultural law. Firm members are licensed in Arizona, California, Texas, and New Mexico.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
833 E Plaza Cir, Suite 100Yuma, AZ 85365

FirmYuma, AZ

Deason Garner & Sparks

Since 1991 · Serves 1 county

Yuma firm serving Yuma County families, practicing exclusively in estate planning since 1991. Handles probate, trust administration, wills, and Medicaid planning, and gives successor trustees a complimentary consultation on administering the trust; other consultations are free for estate planning seminar attendees.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateSpecial Needs Planning

Office
6024 E 32nd StYuma, AZ 85365
Free consultation

FirmYuma, AZ

Garcia, Kinsey, Luger & Villarreal, P.L.C.

Serves 1 county

Yuma firm on West 24th Street handling estate planning and estate administration for Yuma County families. The same attorneys practice real estate development, agribusiness, banking and lending, and business transactions.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
2620 W 24th StYuma, AZ 85364

FirmYuma, AZ

Hunt & Gale

Serves 1 county

Yuma firm serving clients before the Yuma County Superior Court for more than 30 years, handling probate of Arizona estates, trust administration, and estate planning. Pairs estate work with tax planning for closely held businesses and real-property transfers, and serves clients across several western states. Video-conference appointments available.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
256 South 2nd Ave, Suite EYuma, AZ 85364
Virtual consultations

FirmYuma, AZ

Schneider, Onofry & Lomeli, P.C.

Serves 2 counties

Litigation-focused firm with offices in Yuma and Phoenix, handling contested trust and estate matters for southwestern Arizona families. Its probate practice centers on litigation — will contests and disputes over asset distribution, trust management, and personal-representative performance — alongside trust and estate planning and will preparation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation

Office
219 W 2nd StreetYuma, AZ 85364

FirmYuma, AZ

Walsma & Rodriguez, P.C.

Serves 1 county

Yuma firm appearing in Yuma County Superior Court probate matters, with attorneys Pamela Walsma, Araceli Rodriguez, and Ryan Hengl. Handles probate and trust administration, guardianship and conservatorship (protective) proceedings, and will and trust drafting, alongside real estate and business work.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipand 3 more

Office
682 S Fourth AveYuma, AZ 85364
See all 12 firms serving Yuma 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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