Estate Planning in Arizona: FAQs for Scottsdale Residents

Do I Need a Trust If I Own a Home in Scottsdale?

If you are a Scottsdale homeowner, a trust is an effective way to ensure that your real estate passes directly to your heirs without probate.

If you own real estate in Scottsdale (or anywhere in Arizona) a trust is often the most effective way to ensure your property passes directly to your heirs without the delay and expense of the Maricopa County probate court. While a Will only takes effect after a court process, a Revocable Living Trust allows your home in neighborhoods like Kierland, DC Ranch, or Old Town to be managed and transferred privately. This is especially important for Scottsdale residents who may hold a lot of their net worth in real estate. If you’re wondering what the difference is between a will and a trust, check out our blog article, “Do I need a Will or Trust in Arizona?”

How Long Does the Probate Process Take in Maricopa County for Scottsdale Residents?

On average, a simple, uncontested informal probate in Maricopa County takes between six and nine months.

For more complex estates or if there are disputes among heirs, the process can drag on for a year or longer. Many Scottsdale families choose to work with an estate planning attorney to set up a trust-based plan specifically to bypass this timeline. If your loved one has already passed, we can assist you with filings at the Northeast Regional Court Center or the Downtown Phoenix probate counter to ensure that probate is handled correctly. Learn more about the probate process and when you have to worry about it in our blog article, “What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Arizona?”

Does Scottsdale Have a Separate Estate Tax or Inheritance Tax?

In Arizona, there is no state or city inheritance or estate tax.

Arizona is one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees; neither the state nor the city of Scottsdale imposes an estate tax or an inheritance tax. This means your beneficiaries will not pay state-level taxes on the assets they inherit. However, it is vital to account for Federal Estate Taxes if your total estate value is high, as well as capital gains taxes on inherited property. We help Scottsdale residents structure their plans to take advantage of Arizona's favorable tax laws while protecting their legacy from unnecessary federal tax burdens.

Do Women in Scottsdale Need to Update Their Estate Plan After Divorce?

Women in Scottsdale often need to update their estate plan after divorce to reflect changes in assets, decision-makers, and long-term priorities under Arizona law.

Women in Scottsdale often face post-divorce estate planning issues involving real estate equity, retirement accounts, and long-term financial restructuring, and updating an estate plan helps ensure beneficiaries, decision-makers, and guardianship provisions reflect current priorities under Arizona law. To learn more about why it’s so important for woment to make these updates, check out our article, “Women Updating Estate Plans After Divorce: What to Review and Why It Matters.”