For anyone planning an estate in Arizona or settling one: what a will or trust costs, whether an estate needs probate, what executors and trustees are paid, and the taxes on an inheritance, each answered under Arizona law.
36 tools for Arizona
Probate in Arizona takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees of typically 2.2%A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
Arizona authorizes transfer on death deedsA.R.S. 33-405Verified Jul 15, 2026: a recorded, revocable deed that passes real property at death outside probate.
Arizona allows a transfer-on-death beneficiary designation on a vehicle titleA.R.S. 28-2055(B)Verified Aug 25, 2026View source, filed through the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) using Form 96-0561.
In Arizona, informal probate is availableA.R.S. § 14-3301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.
In Arizona, the Superior Court appoints the personal representative and the The Registrar issues Letters of Appointment of Personal Representative; an informal (registrar) track is availableA.R.S. § 14-3301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
In Arizona, creditors have 4 monthsA.R.S. § 14-3801Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
When an estate owes more than it holds, Arizona pays the claims in 6A.R.S. § 14-3805Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
Compare trust-account requirements bank by bank: how a revocable trust account is opened or retitled, and what proves the trust.
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
Arizona requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040A.R.S. § 43-1011Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
In Arizona, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 2.2%A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
Settling an estate in Arizona: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysA.R.S. §§ 14-3706, 14-3707, 14-3708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsA.R.S. §§ 14-3801, 14-3803, 14-3804, 14-3805, 14-3806Verified Sep 15, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
Settling a trust in Arizona happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeA.R.S. § 14-10101 et seq. (Title 14, Chapter 11)Verified Jul 15, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysA.R.S. §§ 14-10813, 14-10109, 14-11005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
After a death in Arizona, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $200,000A.R.S. § 14-3971Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 4 monthsA.R.S. § 14-3801Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to file claims after notice.