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Arizona Probate vs Living Trust Calculator

Compare what Arizona probate would actually cost your estate against the typical cost of setting up a living trust to avoid it.

Probate side: A.R.S. § 14-3719 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Your Arizona estate

Enter your estate value — we'll estimate Arizona probate cost and compare it to a typical trust setup cost.

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Estimated Arizona probate cost vs trust setup
Probate (estimated)
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Living trust setup
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Is it worth it for me? →
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Arizona probate cost vs living trust cost

The probate side of this comparison reuses the same approach as the Arizona Probate Cost Calculator: personal representative and attorney fees under A.R.S. § 14-3719 are both "reasonable compensation" — no statutory percentage — plus Superior Court filing costs. Because Arizona sets no fixed percentage, actual probate cost varies more by complexity than by a formula, but commonly runs a few thousand dollars for a simple informal probate. The trust side is market data, not a statutory figure: Arizona attorneys typically charge $1,500–$4,500 for a straightforward revocable living trust. See the full breakdown in Arizona Living Trust Setup Cost.

Arizona probate vs living trust — frequently asked questions

Is a living trust worth it in Arizona?

It depends more on complexity and speed than in percentage-fee states, because Arizona charges only reasonable compensation (A.R.S. § 14-3719), which tends to run lower than a fixed statutory percentage. A trust still helps avoid the 6–12 month informal timeline, out-of-state ancillary probate, and the risk of a dispute pushing the case into formal probate.

How much does Arizona probate cost compared to a living trust?

Arizona probate has no statutory percentage — personal representative and attorney fees are both "reasonable," commonly totaling a few thousand dollars for a simple informal probate up to $15,000–$25,000 for a $500,000 estate with professional help. An Arizona living trust typically costs $1,500–$4,500 to set up with an attorney.

Does Arizona's generous small estate threshold reduce the need for a trust?

For many estates, yes. Since HB 2116 (2025), Arizona's small estate affidavits cover personal property up to $200,000 and real property up to $300,000 — a meaningfully large estate can now skip formal probate entirely without a trust.

Arizona living trust tools & guides

Arizona Living Trust Setup CostThe market-rate breakdown Is a Living Trust Worth It in Arizona?A decision framework Arizona Living Trust Funding MistakesWhy trusts still fail to avoid probate Arizona Probate Cost CalculatorThe full reasonable-fee breakdown Arizona Probate Timeline CalculatorHow long probate would take

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal or financial advice. Probate-side figures are based on Arizona statute (A.R.S. § 14-3719). Trust-side figures are illustrative market rates, not a legal or statutory amount, and vary by attorney and estate complexity. Confirm current figures with a licensed Arizona estate planning attorney before acting.