Practice area
Trust Administration & Estate Distribution in Arizona
Steady, compassionate counsel for the trustees and families handling an estate.
How we help
A steady hand through the legal work that follows a loss.
When a loved one passes, the legal work of settling their affairs sits on top of grief. We take that work off your shoulders and walk with you, step by step, through trust administration and the court filings needed to distribute an estate.
Trust administration is the mostly out of court process that follows when assets were properly placed in a revocable living trust during the decedent's lifetime. When assets sit outside a trust and need to be retitled or distributed, targeted court filings handle the transfer to the people legally entitled to receive them.
Most families come to us inside the first two weeks after a death, often before they know which path applies. We start by reading the trust or will, mapping the assets, and telling you in plain language exactly what is and is not required under Arizona law. From there, we take the procedural lift, communicate with beneficiaries and creditors, and keep the estate moving on a clear, predictable schedule.
The first question
What kind of help does this estate need?
Not every estate requires the same path. The right approach depends on how each asset is titled, whether beneficiary designations were used, and whether a funded trust is in place.
- Real estate titled in the decedent's name alone
- Bank or brokerage accounts with no beneficiary or joint owner
- Personal property exceeding Arizona's small estate thresholds
- A will exists, but assets were never transferred into a trust
- Assets held in a properly funded revocable living trust
- Accounts with valid pay-on-death or transfer-on-death designations
- Jointly owned property with rights of survivorship
- Estates qualifying for Arizona's small estate affidavit process
What to expect
A typical Arizona timeline.
Every estate is different, but most uncontested matters follow a predictable arc driven by Arizona's statutory notice and creditor periods.
- Step 1
Initial 30-minute consult
I meet with the proposed personal representative (PR) by phone for about 30 minutes to review whether there is a will, what assets exist, and who the heirs or beneficiaries are.
- Step 2
PR worksheet and document preparation
The PR, who is my client, completes a worksheet with information about the decedent, the PR, the heirs and beneficiaries, and the assets. I use that information to prepare the probate court documents.
- Step 3
Court appointment and notice period
The court reviews the filing, appoints the PR, and issues Letters. Statutory notices are sent, and a notice to creditors is published in the newspaper, which starts the four-month creditor claim period.
- Step 4
Gathering, valuing, and selling assets
The PR gathers, values, and inventories estate assets. Assets are not frozen; real estate, vehicles, and personal property can be listed and sold during administration. Creditor claims are identified but not paid until after the four-month period ends.
- Step 5
Paying claims, taxes, and final accounting
After the creditor period closes, valid claims and expenses are paid. Once assets have been liquidated or transferred and tax returns are filed, I prepare a final accounting so the court and interested parties can approve distributions and close the probate estate.
Successor trustees
The duties that come with the role.
If a loved one named you successor trustee of their revocable living trust, Arizona law imposes real fiduciary duties from the moment you act. Most can be met cleanly with the right structure in place.
Our services
Two paths, handled with the same care.
Whether the estate is settled through trust administration or through court filings for estate distribution, the engagement is scoped, priced, and managed up front.
01
Trust Administration
Guiding successor trustees through every step of administering an Arizona trust.
Explore Trust Administration
02
Court Filings and Estate Distribution
Compassionate, efficient probate counsel for personal representatives across Arizona.
Explore Court Filings and Estate Distribution
The full scope
What's included in a typical engagement.
A complete trust administration or estate distribution covers the procedural, financial, and personal sides of settling an estate. Here is what that looks like in practice.
Court filings
Petition to open, letters testamentary or of administration, inventory, accountings, and final closing documents.
Heir and creditor work
Statutory notices, communication with beneficiaries, publication, claim review, and resolution of valid debts.
Asset and tax coordination
Real estate transfers, account retitling, EIN setup, and coordination with your CPA on final 1040 and estate income tax filings.
Common questions
Answers to what families ask first.
A few of the questions that come up at almost every initial consultation. Bring more when we meet.
How long does it take to settle a trust or estate in Arizona?
Most uncontested matters close in six to nine months, driven largely by Arizona's four month creditor notice period. Estates with real estate sales or out of state assets can run twelve to eighteen months or longer.
Do I have to use the lawyer named in the will?
No. The successor trustee or personal representative chooses counsel. You are free to engage Nicole even if a different attorney drafted the trust or will.
What does trust administration or estate work cost?
We quote each engagement as a flat fee or a clearly capped scope based on the assets and complexity. Court filing fees, publication, and bond premiums when required are separate and disclosed up front.
Can I be paid for serving as trustee or personal representative?
Yes. Arizona allows reasonable compensation for the fiduciary's time and effort. We help document the work properly so the fee is supported.
What if the decedent owned property in another state?
Out of state real estate typically requires an ancillary court filing in that state. We coordinate with local counsel where needed and keep the Arizona work moving in parallel.
What if there is no will?
Arizona's intestate succession statutes determine who inherits. Court filings are typically still required, and we guide the family through appointment of an administrator and lawful distribution.
This page is general information, not legal advice for your specific estate. Every estate is different. We are happy to give you a clear answer in a free initial call.
Begin your plan
Ready to protect what you have built?
Schedule a virtual consultation with Nicole Pavlik directly. Flat-fee pricing, clear timelines, and a calm process designed around your family.