Probate and Trust Administration
Settling an estate in Arizona, step by step
Nova Law Group was formerly Tait & Hall. The office and the phone number are the same. If you were looking for the Tait & Hall page on probate and trust administration, start here: call (480) 405-6767 and tell us what you need. We will tell you plainly whether our attorneys can take your matter.
Probate and trust matters in Arizona
- Informal and formal probate
- Appointment of a personal representative
- Small estate affidavits
- Notice to creditors and creditor claims
- Trust administration after a death
- Trustee notices and reports to beneficiaries
- Disputes over a will or a trust
- Closing an estate
How probate works in Arizona
Probate is the court process for settling a person's estate after death. The court confirms the will if there is one, appoints a personal representative, and that person pays valid debts and passes what is left to the people entitled to it. In Arizona the Superior Court handles probate under Title 14 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, usually in the county where the person lived (A.R.S. § 14-3201).
Most Arizona estates start informally. An application under A.R.S. § 14-3301 goes to the probate registrar, and no hearing is needed when nothing is contested. A formal proceeding under A.R.S. § 14-3401 puts the question in front of a judge. That is how a dispute about a will, or about who should serve, gets decided. A.R.S. § 14-3203 sets the order of priority for appointment as personal representative.
Once appointed, the personal representative is a fiduciary with duties to everyone interested in the estate (A.R.S. § 14-3703). One early duty is notice to creditors. A.R.S. § 14-3801 calls for a notice published once a week for three successive weeks, telling creditors to present their claims within four months after the first publication.
Not every estate needs a full probate. A.R.S. § 14-3971 allows personal property to be collected by affidavit starting 30 days after the death, and real property to pass by an affidavit of succession no sooner than six months after the death, when the estate is within the value limits in that statute.
A trust usually keeps property out of probate, but the trust still has to be administered. Under the Arizona Trust Code, the starting rule is that a trustee keeps the qualified beneficiaries reasonably informed, notifies them within 60 days after accepting the trusteeship, and sends a report of the trust property at least annually to the beneficiaries the statute names (A.R.S. § 14-10813).
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, a probate or appointment proceeding has to be started within two years after the death. A.R.S. § 14-3108 lists limited exceptions. Waiting also makes practical problems harder, such as bills, vehicles and a house that needs care, so it is worth asking early.
No. A will tells the court what the person wanted. Property that was in the person's name alone usually still goes through probate, or through the affidavit process for a smaller estate. Property with a named beneficiary, joint ownership with a right of survivorship, or property held in a trust typically passes outside probate.
The person named in the will has first priority. After that, A.R.S. § 14-3203 ranks the surviving spouse and the other people who inherit, and later a creditor. A person with priority can also step aside or nominate someone else.
The starting rule in A.R.S. § 14-10813 is that the trustee keeps the qualified beneficiaries reasonably informed about the trust and its administration, tells them within 60 days that the trustee has accepted the job, and reports on the trust property at least once a year. A beneficiary who is not getting information can ask for it in writing.
Start with a call
Call (480) 405-6767 or send a confidential request. Tell us what happened and what papers you have. We will tell you plainly whether our attorneys can take the matter. The consultation is confidential.
Nova Law Group, PLLC, 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite C250, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
This page is general information about Arizona and federal law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Hear What Our Clients Say
From our Google reviews, plus Yelp and Avvo. These are clients’ own words, reproduced from our review profiles.
“These guys are the best attorneys in all of Arizona. It is definitely the most professional group of lawyers… I recommend this firm!”
“Sydney was extremely thorough regarding every single detail of my criminal case… it ultimately resulted in a clear and powerful win for my case.”
“They fought tirelessly for my case and helped me achieve a favorable outcome. Exceptional service and results.”
“The firm provided me with the most professional legal representation possible. Mr. Ryan Tait patiently explained… beyond my expectations.”
“The best law firm that I have ever dealt with. The amount of passion & commitment that they dedicated for my case… truly what separated them from other law firms.”
“Oh my goodness, our lawyer Ryan Tait was amazing. He does what he says he’s going to do. A very patient lawyer… He’s a miracle worker.”
“I was being charged with a few felony counts and facing a few years in prison… I made the best choice of my life calling this law firm.”
“…they reached out to one of their attorneys and confirmed my suspicions; I’ve been worried this whole time about criminal charges, they put my fears to rest. HIGHLY recommend them.”
“Helpful and clear direction in a time of uncertainty. Highly recommended.”
“Ryan Tait was amazing and really helpful. I would recommend him.”
“If you’re looking for a law group that truly cares about you and makes a difficult situation less stressful, these are your people… Alexis was my lawyer, and she was truly heaven-sent.”
“Alexis Brooks was my lawyer… She was extremely professional yet down to earth and always made me feel at ease and confident in my case. I would definitely recommend her for anyone that needs an excellent defense attorney.”
“Spectacular representation! Sydney was very compassionate, diligent and professional. I can’t recommend enough.”
“…Ryan and his team are kind, understanding, and very good listeners. Each member of his team was well educated, knowledgable and very professional.”
“We hired Mr. Tait to handle a legal affair for a member of our family. It was a complex criminal case that required over two years of work! Through the entire effort, Mr. Tait kept us informed…”
“My family hired Ryan Tait to fight for my family member… He went over all the pros and cons. He answered all our questions and calls. He knows what he is doing.”
“Ryan is absolutely awesome and professional. He gave me all detailed advice I needed. He is nice and patient. I definitely recommend Ryan and his law firm!”
“Very good at what they do… they were always on top of everything didn’t really have to do much they took care of everything…”
“These guys are great!! They did a great job on my case, super consistent and helpful. Definitely will recommend them to anyone.”
“Excellent lawyers… and their honesty, and they helped me even though I do not live in Arizona.”
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Lo que dicen nuestros clientes
De nuestras reseñas en Google, además de Yelp y Avvo. Son las palabras de nuestros clientes, tomadas de nuestros perfiles de reseñas y traducidas del inglés.
“Son los mejores abogados de todo Arizona. Sin duda es el grupo de abogados más profesional… ¡Recomiendo esta firma!”
“Sydney fue sumamente minuciosa con cada detalle de mi caso penal… al final, eso resultó en una victoria clara y contundente para mi caso.”
“Lucharon incansablemente por mi caso y me ayudaron a lograr un resultado favorable. Servicio y resultados excepcionales.”
“La firma me brindó la representación legal más profesional posible. El Sr. Ryan Tait me explicó con paciencia… más allá de mis expectativas.”
“La mejor firma de abogados con la que he tratado. La pasión y el compromiso que dedicaron a mi caso… es lo que realmente los distinguió de otras firmas.”
“¡Dios mío, nuestro abogado Ryan Tait fue increíble! Cumple lo que dice que va a hacer. Un abogado muy paciente… Hace milagros.”
“Me acusaban de varios cargos por delitos graves y me enfrentaba a unos años de prisión… Tomé la mejor decisión de mi vida al llamar a esta firma.”
“…se comunicaron con uno de sus abogados y confirmaron mis sospechas; había estado preocupado todo este tiempo por posibles cargos penales, y calmaron mis temores. Los recomiendo MUCHÍSIMO.”
“Orientación útil y clara en un momento de incertidumbre. Muy recomendables.”
“Ryan Tait fue increíble y de gran ayuda. Lo recomendaría.”
“Si busca un despacho que de verdad se preocupe por usted y haga que una situación difícil sea menos estresante, esta es su gente… Alexis fue mi abogada, y fue una verdadera bendición.”
“Alexis Brooks fue mi abogada… Fue sumamente profesional y a la vez sencilla, y siempre me hizo sentir tranquilo y seguro con mi caso. Sin duda la recomendaría a cualquiera que necesite una excelente abogada defensora.”
“¡Representación espectacular! Sydney fue muy compasiva, diligente y profesional. No puedo recomendarla lo suficiente.”
“…Ryan y su equipo son amables, comprensivos y saben escuchar. Cada miembro de su equipo demostró estar bien preparado, con conocimiento y gran profesionalismo.”
“Contratamos al Sr. Tait para encargarse de un asunto legal de un miembro de nuestra familia. Fue un caso penal complejo que requirió más de dos años de trabajo. Durante todo el proceso, el Sr. Tait nos mantuvo informados…”
“Mi familia contrató a Ryan Tait para luchar por un familiar… Nos explicó todos los pros y los contras. Respondió todas nuestras preguntas y llamadas. Sabe lo que hace.”
“Ryan es absolutamente increíble y profesional. Me dio todos los consejos detallados que necesitaba. Es amable y paciente. ¡Sin duda recomiendo a Ryan y a su bufete!”
“Muy buenos en lo que hacen… siempre estuvieron al tanto de todo; casi no tuve que hacer nada, ellos se encargaron de todo…”
“¡Son excelentes! Hicieron un gran trabajo en mi caso, muy constantes y serviciales. Sin duda los recomendaré a cualquiera.”
“Excelentes abogados… y su honestidad y eso que me ayudaron que yo no vivo en Arizona”
Los resultados anteriores no garantizan un resultado similar.
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Awards and ratingsPremios y calificaciones
Awards and ratings reflect the standards of the organizations that issue them. They do not predict the outcome of any case.Los premios y las calificaciones reflejan los criterios de las organizaciones que los otorgan. No predicen el resultado de ningún caso.