A good estate plan decides who manages your affairs if you are incapacitated, who makes your medical decisions, and who receives your property when you pass — on your terms, not a court's. Arizona is a community property state with no state estate tax, and a funded living trust can keep your family out of probate entirely. The Chandler firms below draft wills and trusts, handle probate, and plan for incapacity, and most will meet with you before you commit to anything.
Updated April 12, 202612 min readEditorially independent
Estate planning work covers two related jobs, and the right firm depends on which one you need. The first is planning: drafting the will, trust, and powers of attorney that say what happens to your property and your care, and titling assets so the plan actually works. The second is administration: guiding a family through probate or trust administration after a death, or stepping in when someone becomes incapacitated. Some Chandler firms focus purely on planning; others handle administration and disputes as well. Knowing which you need is the first step to choosing well.
Arizona law shapes the plan in ways that matter. The state has no estate tax or inheritance tax, so for most families the goal is avoiding probate, planning for incapacity, and making sure assets pass cleanly — not death taxes. Because Arizona is a community property state, the rules for what a surviving spouse and children inherit, and how a plan should be structured, differ from common-law states. A lawyer who practices estate planning in the East Valley regularly knows how Maricopa County probate works and how to build a plan that holds up.
The firms below appear across independent directories and rankings — Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw, and Martindale-Hubbell — with verifiable Chandler-area estate planning practices. We list credentials and focus areas, not marketing claims. Use the list as a starting point, then call two or three and compare how clearly each explains your options and your costs.
How we picked these 10: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw, Martindale-Hubbell) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Chandler-area estate planning, trust, or probate practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Phelps LaClair, PLC
Chandler, AZEstate planning only, 40+ years
Practice focus: Living trusts, wills, estate and gift tax planning, business succession
A second-generation Arizona firm that has focused on estate planning for more than four decades, beginning when attorney Stephen Phelps started preparing living trusts and now carried on by James Phelps and co-owner Jeffrey LaClair. The practice does estate planning exclusively — no litigation, divorce, or bankruptcy — with a Chandler office on East Ray Road and additional valley locations. Listed on the firm site, Yelp, and HG.org.
Practice focus: Estate planning, trusts and wills, probate
A Chandler estate planning and probate practice founded in 2008 by attorney Francisco Sirvent, handling estate planning, trust and will preparation, and probate from an office on West Queen Creek Road. The firm concentrates on estate and probate work for East Valley families and is active in the local Chandler business community. Listed on the firm site, Yelp, and the Chandler Chamber of Commerce.
Practice focus: Wills and trusts, probate and trust administration, elder law and tax
A Chandler firm focusing on estate planning, wills and trusts, and probate, with attorneys who also practice elder law and tax. Founder David Gerszewski has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, and the firm advertises flat-fee pricing, free consultations, and decades of combined experience from its office on East Queen Creek Road. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and Yelp.
Practice focus: Wills and trusts, estate planning, probate
An Arizona firm whose attorneys have provided wills, trusts, estate planning, and probate representation for more than twenty years, serving clients across Chandler, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tucson, and Peoria. The firm pairs estate planning with broader practice areas, which suits clients who want one firm for several needs. Listed on the firm site, Justia, and FindLaw.
Practice focus: Living trusts and wills, powers of attorney, elder law and probate
A Chandler-area estate planning practice whose attorney has more than 25 years of experience and focuses on living trusts, wills, financial and healthcare powers of attorney, living wills, elder law, and probate. A focused option for individuals and families who want core estate documents prepared correctly. Listed on the firm site, Avvo, and Super Lawyers.
Practice focus: Estate planning, probate, trust administration
An estate planning and probate practice whose attorney Lynda Vescio is recognized for estate planning and probate work in the Chandler area, handling wills, trusts, and the administration that follows a death. A fit for clients who want experienced estate and probate counsel. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and FindLaw.
Practice focus: Estate planning, probate and trust litigation, elder law
A full-service East Valley firm established in 1983, with a dedicated estate planning and probate team that handles estate plans, formal and informal probate, and estate and trust litigation, alongside an established elder law practice. A strong option for families who may need administration or litigation as well as planning. Listed on the firm site, Yelp, and Justia.
East Valley, serving ChandlerPlanning & asset protection
Practice focus: Comprehensive estate plans, asset protection trusts, probate administration
An Arizona estate planning firm that prepares comprehensive estate plans and handles probate administration, with a focus on asset-protection and wealth-protection trusts for clients who want to shield assets and plan for the long term. A fit for families with more complex planning goals. Listed on the firm site, Justia, and Avvo.
Practice focus: Estate planning, trust and estate administration, tax planning
A long-established Arizona firm whose estate planning attorneys serve Chandler-area clients with wills, trusts, trust and estate administration, and related tax planning, backed by the resources of a full-service practice. A fit for clients who want estate planning alongside business or tax counsel. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell.
The estates and trust practice of a long-running Arizona firm, handling estate planning, trusts, and probate for Chandler-area clients, with managing partner Elizabeth Estes bringing a long career focused on probate and trust matters. A fit for clients who want an estates team within a larger firm. Listed on the firm site, Avvo, and Martindale-Hubbell.
Match the firm to the work. If you mainly need a will, a living trust, and powers of attorney prepared cleanly at a known price, a planning-focused practice such as Phelps LaClair, Keystone, Citadel, or Dwornik Law may be the most efficient fit. If you are facing a probate after a death, or expect a dispute among heirs, a firm with administration and litigation depth like JacksonWhite, Tiffany & Bosco, or the Cantor estates practice is built for that. Families with asset-protection or complex tax goals often look to Pennington Law or Vescio & Seifert.
Ask each firm three things: how often they handle plans or estates like yours, who will actually do the work, and what it will cost in writing. A firm that answers all three clearly is usually a firm that runs a careful practice. One that is vague on any of them is telling you something useful before you have paid a dollar.
What to look for in an estate planning lawyer
The firms above are a starting point, not a verdict. The right lawyer for you depends on your assets, your family situation, and how you want to be treated. Use these five signals to compare them.
Relevant, recent experience. “We do estate planning” is not enough — you want a lawyer who drafts Arizona plans and handles Maricopa County probate week in and week out, not one who takes them occasionally between unrelated matters. Recent, repeated experience with situations like yours is the best predictor of a plan that works.
Straight talk about what you actually need. A good lawyer tells you whether a simple will is enough or whether a trust earns its cost in your situation. Be skeptical of a firm that sells everyone the most expensive plan or, conversely, waves off concerns you know are real.
A plan that gets funded. A trust only avoids probate if your assets are actually transferred into it. Ask how the firm handles funding and retitling, because an unfunded trust is an expensive document that does nothing. A careful firm walks you through it.
Fees in writing, in plain English. You should leave the first meeting knowing what you will pay, what is included, and what costs extra. Many Chandler estate firms quote flat fees for defined plans; a clear written quote is a sign of a well-run practice.
Communication and accessibility. You will want to update this plan over the years. Ask how the firm handles future changes, whether reviews are included, and who you will reach when something changes. Set that expectation now.
What estate planning looks like in Chandler
Planning usually moves quickly. After an initial meeting to understand your assets, family, and goals, the firm drafts your will, trust, and powers of attorney, you review and sign, and the lawyer helps fund the trust by retitling assets and updating beneficiary designations — often within a few weeks. The goal is a complete, signed, funded plan that does what you intend without a court's involvement.
Administration is a separate process. If a loved one passes, an Arizona probate is generally filed in the Maricopa County Superior Court, and an uncontested informal probate often runs from several months to about a year while assets are gathered and creditor claims are handled. A well-funded trust can avoid probate entirely, which is one of the main reasons families plan ahead. Trust administration after a death is usually faster and more private than probate, but still benefits from a lawyer's guidance.
What does an estate planning lawyer in Chandler cost?
Many Chandler firms charge a flat fee for a defined estate planning package, which makes budgeting easy. A simple will-based plan is often a few hundred dollars, while a revocable living trust package that includes powers of attorney and related documents commonly runs from roughly $1,500 to $4,000 depending on complexity and the size of the estate.
Probate and trust administration are usually billed hourly, and the total depends on the size of the estate and whether anyone contests it. The cost of administration is driven by conflict and complexity, not the hourly rate alone — which is exactly why a clean, funded plan is often the cheapest gift you can leave your family. A good lawyer explains the trade-offs at the first meeting and quotes the plan in writing.
Red flags to watch for
One-size-fits-all plans. If a firm sells the same expensive trust package to everyone without asking about your assets and goals, be cautious. The right plan depends on your situation, not a sales script.
The disappearing senior lawyer. You meet a name partner at intake, then never speak to them again while a junior or a paralegal runs the file unsupervised. Ask in writing who will prepare and review your documents.
No help funding the trust. A trust that is never funded does not avoid probate. If a firm hands you documents and never mentions retitling assets, your plan may not work when it matters.
Pressure to sign immediately. A reputable firm gives you the engagement letter and the plan in writing and time to read them. High-pressure seminars and same-day closings are a sign to slow down.
Vague fee terms. “Don't worry about the cost” is a red flag. Every legitimate firm puts the fee, what it covers, and what triggers extra charges in writing.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most firms on this list offer a free or low-cost first consultation. Use it, take notes, and compare at least two firms before you sign.
Do I actually need a trust, or is a will enough for my situation? A good lawyer gives you a real answer, not an upsell.
Who, specifically, will prepare and review my documents? Get a name, not just a firm brand.
What is your fee, and exactly what does it include? Get the answer in writing before you sign anything.
Will you help me fund the trust and retitle assets? Funding is what makes a trust work. Confirm it is included.
How do you handle future updates? Ask whether reviews are included and what changes cost later.
How does Arizona community property affect my plan? You want a lawyer who can explain it clearly.
What happens to my plan if I move or own property in another state? Out-of-state assets can complicate things.
Who should serve as my executor, trustee, and agents? A good lawyer helps you think this through.
How long will the documents take to prepare? Ask for an honest timeline.
What happens to my plan and documents if your firm closes? Make sure your originals and records are safe.
What's specific about estate planning in Arizona
No state death taxes. Arizona has no estate tax and no inheritance tax, so for most families the planning goal is avoiding probate and planning for incapacity, not minimizing state taxes. Very large estates may still face federal estate tax.
Community property. Arizona is a community property state, so property acquired during marriage is generally owned equally by both spouses while separate property stays separate. This shapes how assets pass at death and how a plan should be structured.
Probate in Maricopa County. Arizona probates are handled in the county Superior Court, and the process keeps an estate open for a minimum period to allow creditor claims. A funded living trust is the most common way to keep a family out of that process entirely.
Your first steps this week
If you are ready to put an estate plan in place — or update an old one — a few moves make the process faster and the first meeting more useful.
Inventory your assets and how they are titled. List your accounts, real estate, retirement and life-insurance beneficiaries, and business interests, and note whose name is on each. How assets are titled often matters more than the will itself.
Decide who you trust. Think about who should serve as executor and trustee, who should make financial and medical decisions if you cannot, and who should inherit. You do not need final answers, but bringing your thoughts speeds everything up.
Gather any existing documents. Pull together any prior will, trust, or powers of attorney so the lawyer can see what already exists and what needs updating.
Book two consultations. Most firms above offer a free or low-cost first meeting. Talk to at least two before you commit, and choose the lawyer who explains your options clearly and answers your questions without rushing you.
Talk to a Chandler estate planning lawyer — free, no obligation
Tell us what you need. We'll match you with vetted Chandler firms from the list above. Most respond within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a will or a trust in Arizona?
It depends on your assets and goals. A will directs who receives your property and names a guardian for minor children, but it still goes through probate. A revocable living trust can avoid probate, keep your affairs private, and provide for management if you become incapacitated. Many Arizona estate plans use a will and a trust together, along with powers of attorney. A lawyer can tell you which structure fits your situation.
Does Arizona have an estate tax or inheritance tax?
Arizona does not impose a state estate tax or inheritance tax. Very large estates may still owe federal estate tax, which has its own exemption threshold that changes over time. For most families the planning focus is avoiding probate, providing for incapacity, and making sure assets pass smoothly — not state death taxes.
What does an estate planning lawyer in Chandler cost?
Many Chandler estate planning firms charge a flat fee for a defined package. A simple will-based plan is often a few hundred dollars, while a revocable living trust package with powers of attorney commonly runs from roughly $1,500 to $4,000 depending on complexity. Probate and trust administration are usually billed hourly. Ask for the fee and what it covers in writing before you engage.
How do I avoid probate in Arizona?
The most common tool is a funded revocable living trust, which holds your assets so they pass outside probate. Beneficiary designations on retirement and life-insurance accounts, payable-on-death and transfer-on-death designations, and proper titling of real estate also keep assets out of probate. A lawyer will make sure the plan is actually funded, since an unfunded trust does not avoid probate.
What happens if I die without an estate plan in Arizona?
If you die without a will, Arizona's intestate succession laws decide who inherits, and because Arizona is a community property state, the split between a surviving spouse and children follows specific rules that may not match your wishes. The estate generally goes through probate, and the court appoints a personal representative. A simple plan lets you control these outcomes instead.
What documents are in a basic estate plan?
A typical Arizona estate plan includes a will, often a revocable living trust, a durable financial power of attorney, a healthcare power of attorney, and a living will (advance directive). Together they cover who manages your affairs if you are incapacitated, who makes medical decisions, and who receives your property when you pass.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review your plan every few years and after major life events — marriage, divorce, a new child or grandchild, a death in the family, a significant change in assets, or a move to a new state. Beneficiary designations and trustee or agent choices in particular can fall out of date. A short review is far cheaper than the problems a stale plan can create.
How long does probate take in Arizona?
An uncontested informal probate in Maricopa County often takes several months to about a year, depending on the estate and how quickly assets and creditors are handled. Arizona law generally keeps a probate open for a minimum period to allow creditor claims. Contested matters take longer. Many estate plans are built specifically to keep families out of this process.
Is Arizona a community property state?
Yes. Property acquired during marriage is generally community property owned equally by both spouses, while property owned before marriage or received by gift or inheritance is usually separate property. This affects how assets pass at death and how a plan should be structured, which is why local estate planning experience matters.
What should I bring to an estate planning consultation?
Bring a list of your major assets and how they are titled, account and beneficiary information, any existing will or trust, and your thoughts on who should inherit, who should serve as executor or trustee, and who should make decisions if you cannot. The more organized you are, the more productive and efficient the first meeting will be.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the credentials. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one how many Arizona estate plans like yours they have prepared in the last three years, and whether they will help you fund the trust. The answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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