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2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Surprise

Our Recommended Top 12

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Surprise Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

39

Reviewed

28

Curated

12

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
20860 North Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85050
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Steven M. Jackson Law Group is a solo practice that serves individuals and families throughout the Surprise metro area. Mr. Jackson practices probate law, offering the full range of services, from administering the decedent's estate and supporting the executor to litigating in cases of alleged misdeeds, such as undue influence. Attorney Jackson is an Iraq War veteran and 2014 graduate of Arizona Summit Law School. His additional practice areas include estate planning, trust administration, and power of attorney.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Steven Jackson - Principal9 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
11811 North Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85028
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Klein Law Firm PC is a solo practice started by Daniel R. Klein, a probate lawyer near Surprise with more than 16 years of experience serving families and individuals throughout the surrounding cities and counties. His experience includes guiding executors through the probate process and ensuring estates are collected and the decedents' final wishes honored. Attorney Klein is licensed to practice in Arizona, Colorado, and California. He can also assist clients in matters concerning conservatorship and guardianship.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Daniel Klein - Principal10 yrs

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
9949 West Bell Road, Sun City, AZ 85351
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Wayne P. Marsh, PLC, is a law office committed to providing individualized legal solutions for clients in the Surprise and Sun City areas. The lawyers at this firm are knowledgeable in assisting clients throughout the entire probate process. The team represents heirs in the probate administration procedures, including notification of beneficiaries, inventory of assets, payment of debts and taxes, distribution of assets to heirs, and receipts and releases for the Trustee and personal representatives. The firm also handles matters involving estate planning and ancillary administration.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Wayne Marsh - Partner50 yrs
Wayne Marsh - Partner50 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (20)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (14)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
13250 North Del Webb Boulevard, Sun City, AZ 85351
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

The Cavanagh Law Firm is a multidisciplinary firm that's been serving clients in and around Maricopa County since it first opened its doors in 1999. The firm's probate attorneys operate from two offices in the area, representing executors, heirs, and other interested parties in all aspects of transferring wealth from the decedent's estate. They can also develop probate avoidance strategies, such as revocable and irrevocable trusts and family limited partnerships.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Helen Davis - Managing Partner / Senior Partner / Shareholder47 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
15331 West Bell Road, Surprise, AZ 85374
  • Trusts

Why choose this provider?

Eastman Trusts assists individuals, families, small business owners, industry professionals, and non-profit organizations with estate planning in Surprise. Additional practice areas include probate law, elder care law, special needs planning, trust administration, conservatorship, and guardianship. For 15 years, principal attorney David Eastman has been working with Arizona residents with their estate planning needs. Furthermore, co-founder Darren Richardson is a member of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society Greater Phoenix Chapter and the Maricopa County Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
David Eastman - Principal17 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (29)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
5020 E Shea Blvd, Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Bivens & Associates, PLLC, is a probate law firm serving clients in Surprise and the surrounding areas. The firm's attorneys have more than 50 years of combined experience in various legal practices, including probate, estate planning, and elder law. It represents individuals, banks, and professional fiduciaries, handling both simple and complex trust administration matters. Its attorneys help clients create individualized estate plans, providing asset management services, and assisting clients in medical decision-making in the event of incapacity or death.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Stephanie Bivens - Principal28 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (8)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
14780 West Mountain View Boulevard, Surprise, AZ 85374
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Dodds Law Firm, PLC provides legal assistance to clients in Surprise. The firm can represent clients in cases involving family law, bankruptcy, and estates. Its attorneys can also help clients prepare and execute documents such as living wills, pour-over wills, irrevocable trusts, and powers of attorney. Founder Dan Dodds is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and National Association of Consumer Advocates. He is also admitted to practice law in Oregon.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Dan Dodds - Founding Attorney18 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.9
Google
4.0 / 5 (98)
Facebook
3.0 / 5 (6)
Yelp
2.5 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
7025 East Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Becker & House PLLC is a small law firm near Surprise that exclusively handles all aspects of estate planning, probate law, trust administration, and guardianship. The firm's attorneys have more than 60 years of combined experience in transferring wealth to heirs and beneficiaries. Their services typically include petitioning the proper probate courts to begin the process, guiding executors through probate, and ensuring the decedents' full estates are collected, creditors paid, and final accounts closed with the court.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
John Becker - Partner37 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
15331 West Bell Road, Surprise, AZ 85374
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Verde Valley Law Group specializes in probate law, estate planning, and trust administration. One of its offices is located in Surprise. It helps its clients protect their assets, reduce taxes, and avoid unnecessary probate proceedings. Its estate planning process involves an initial consultation, customization of an estate plan, guided execution of documents, and trust funding counsel. One of the firm's attorneys, Michael Greenwald, has been providing estate planning services to Gilbert and Queen Creek area for 10 years.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Michael Greenwald - Principal46 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.0 / 5 (5)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (4)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
15331 West Bell Road, Surprise, AZ 85374
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

HagEstad Law Group, PLLC, provides legal guidance for clients in Surprise and the nearby metros. The lawyers from this firm handle informal probate proceedings, estate planning, and drafting of wills and trusts. This team also takes on insurance, real estate, and complex litigations. G. Patrick HagEstad, one of the managing partners of this firm, has been in legal practice for more than 23 years. He is a member of the Western Montana Bar Association and Montana Defense Trial Lawyers Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
G. Hagestad - Managing Partner26 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (18)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
8787 East Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration
  • Estate Settlement

Why choose this provider?

Ganser Law Offices is a solo practice founded by Kevin A. Ganser, an estate planning, trust administration, and probate lawyer near Surprise who focuses solely on representing private clients. Attorney Ganser can provide the full range of probate law services, including representing heirs and potential beneficiaries who allege wrongdoing related to the decedent's will or the actions of the executor. The attorney also practices real estate, corporate, and tax law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Kevin Ganser - Principal11 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (15)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
15331 West Bell Road, Surprise, AZ 85374
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Russell Law Firm, PLLC, is a firm in Surprise that handles probate administration. The firm's probate attorney, Brian R. Russell, has been practicing law since 1994. Russell guides clients throughout the entire probate process, such as filing documents, preparing probate accountings, and distributing assets to heirs. Additionally, he also helps clients prepare for the unexpected by creating wills, medical powers of attorney, financial powers of attorney, and revocable living trusts. Russell Law Firm also handles trust administration.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Brian Russell - Attorney/Owner30 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)
Justia
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Surprise, Arizona?

    To report non-emergency concerns, contact the Surprise Police Department at 623-222-4000.

  • What steps are entailed in the probate process in Surprise?

    In the probate process in Surprise, an individual or legal professional is assigned as the will's executor. The will is then authenticated by a probate court, scrutinizing signatures, dates, and notary credibility. The deceased's possessions are cataloged and evaluated for financial implications. Outstanding debts or taxes are settled using the deceased's estate. After debts are cleared, residual assets are dispersed as per the will or state law.

  • Where can individuals submit probate documentation in Surprise?

    Individuals can submit probate documentation at the Northwest Regional Center at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane in Surprise. This is one of the four Superior Court locations that accept probate filings. Note that the submission site does not determine the court assignment for the case, as this is influenced by the zip code of the filing party or their attorney.

  • If someone in Surprise inherits a small estate, do they need to go through probate?

    In Surprise, it's not always necessary to engage in the full probate process for smaller estates. If the deceased's personal property's net value is below $75,000 and real property's net value is under $100,000 at their time of death, you can transfer the titles or payments via affidavits. These are reviewed and approved by the Probate Court Registrar. It's a streamlined process that doesn't involve appointing a personal representative or undergoing the usual probate procedures.

  • When is an estate in Surprise subject to death tax?

    In Surprise, an estate exceeding $5 million in assets might be subject to death tax. In such cases, it's advisable to consult a seasoned probate attorney who can guide through the tax imposed by federal and state governments. The attorney may create a tax ownership advantage structure, offering some tax relief. This process requires expert paperwork handling and defending the structure to relevant authorities, all of which a probate attorney can efficiently manage.

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