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Estate Administration

Estate & Trust Administration

Settle an Estate with Clear Guidance

Estate Administration helps executors and personal representatives carry out the legal and practical responsibilities involved in settling a loved one’s estate. We’ll guide you through the process, from determining what needs to happen to distributing assets and closing the estate.

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What it does

Handle the Responsibilities That Follow a Loved One’s Death

Settling an estate can involve much more than distributing property. The personal representative may need to file court documents, tax returns, locate and value assets, notify heirs and creditors, pay valid debts, provide required notices, and ultimately distribute property according to the Will or Arizona law. If assets aren’t held in a trust or don’t pass automatically to beneficiaries, Probate may also be required before property can be transferred. Our Estate Administration services help personal representatives understand what needs to happen, complete the process correctly, and reduce the risk of unnecessary delays or personal liability.

Who it’s for

Are You Responsible for Settling an Estate?

Estate Administration Services may be helpful if you:
  • Want to put your wishes in writing, choose who inherits your assets, or name a personal representative to administer your estate.
  • Want to name a guardian for your minor children or other dependents instead of leaving that decision to the courts.
  • Are an Arizona homeowner, an unmarried partner, or part of a blended family and don’t want important decisions left to Arizona probate laws.
  • Have an estate below Arizona’s probate threshold ($200,000 in personal property or $300,000 in real estate) and are comfortable with beneficiaries receiving their inheritance outright.
  • Are creating a trust-based estate plan and need a pour-over will to help direct assets left outside your trust.

How it works

Our Six-Step Estate Administration Process

  • 1

    Review the Estate

    Meet with one of our attorneys to review the estate, assets, beneficiaries, outstanding debts, and other details needed to understand the estate.

  • 2

    Determine the Appropriate Process

    We’ll help determine whether the Probate Process or another Estate Administration process is required based on the estate and how its assets are owned.

  • 3

    Complete Required Filings & Notices

    When required, we’ll prepare and file court documents and provide the necessary legal notices to move the Estate Administration forward.

  • 4

    Identify & Value Estate Assets

    We’ll guide you through locating, securing, inventorying, and valuing the assets you’re responsible for administering.

  • 5

    Address Debts, Expenses & Taxes

    We’ll help you navigate creditor claims, valid debts, estate expenses, and tax-related matters, coordinating with tax professionals when needed.

  • 6

    Distribute Assets & Close the Estate

    Once the estate’s obligations have been addressed, we’ll help document distributions to heirs or beneficiaries and complete the remaining steps to close the estate.

45+
Years Serving Arizona
9
Offices Statewide
3rd
Generation Family Firm
100%
Estate Planning Focus

What's included

Documents you receive.

  • Probate & Court Requirements

    Determine whether Probate is necessary and provide guidance with required court filings and legal documents.

  • Personal Representative Appointment

    Help obtain the appropriate appointment when court authority is needed to administer the estate.

  • Assets & Valuation

    Guide the identification, inventory, valuation, and management of estate assets.

  • Creditors, Debts & Notices

    Address creditor claims, required notices to creditors and beneficiaries, valid debts, and estate expenses.

  • Taxes & Professional Coordination

    Coordinate with tax professionals and other advisors when specialized guidance is needed during Estate Administration.

  • Distributions & Estate Closure

    Help document and complete distributions to heirs or beneficiaries and guide the final steps required to close the estate.

Why Phelps LaClair

Estate Planning Experience That Matters During Administration

We focus on estate planning, Trust Administration, Probate, and related services, rather than treating Estate Administration as one of many unrelated practice areas.

With more than 45 years of Arizona estate planning experience, we understand how estate plans work when they actually are executed.

We help personal representatives understand their responsibilities, avoid common mistakes, and reduce the risk of personal liability throughout the administration process.

Our comprehensive estate planning experience also helps our clients understand how better proactive planning will help beneficiaries avoid similar Probate issues in the future.

What it costs

Transparent Pricing You Can Count On

Custom Quote

Estate Administration needs vary depending on the estate and the work required. We’ll provide a flat-fee quote once we understand what’s needed to administer the estate.

Common questions

Your Estate Administration Questions Answered

  • Probate may be required when assets are held solely in the deceased person’s individual name and do not transfer through a trust, beneficiary designation, joint ownership, or another private method. Phelps LaClair examines Arizona Probate thresholds of more than $200,000 in personal property or $300,000 in real estate.

  • A personal representative is responsible for administering an estate. Their duties may include handling court filings, locating and valuing assets, notifying creditors and beneficiaries, paying valid debts and expenses, filing taxes, and distributing property to the appropriate heirs or beneficiaries.

  • Yes. Failing to administer an estate promptly and properly can create personal liability for an executor or personal representative. Professional Estate Administration guidance can help you understand your responsibilities and reduce the risk of mistakes.

  • No. Trust Administration generally involves a successor trustee privately managing and distributing assets held in a trust. Estate Administration involves settling a deceased person’s estate and may include Probate when assets are held in the deceased person’s individual name and don’t otherwise transfer automatically.

  • Not exactly. Estate Administration is the broader process of settling a person’s estate after death. The Probate Process is the court-supervised portion that may be required when certain assets cannot transfer privately.

  • The timeline depends on the estate’s assets, debts, creditor issues, tax matters, whether Probate is required, and whether disputes arise. More complex estates may take longer to administer than straightforward estates.

This information is educational and not a substitute for advice from a licensed Arizona attorney.

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Personalized Guidance Starts Here

Meet with one of our attorneys to discuss your situation, your assets, and what matters most to you. We'll answer your questions and provide clear, upfront pricing with no obligation.

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