Richard Rahnema

About Richard Rahnema

Richard created Rahnema Law in 2017. Prior to opening his own law office, Richard joined Wachtel Biehn & Malm as a law clerk in 2011 and as an Associate in 2013. Richard’s practice is focused on Probate and Trust administration. In addition, Richard handles Real Estate issues, which includes Quiet Title and Landlord/Tenant disputes. Before joining WBM, Richard worked at a law firm specializing in Transportation Law, General Litigation and Commercial Litigation, Appellate practice and Aviation Insurance Litigation in New York and Canada.

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Education

• Law School: Bond University (Australia)

Common questions about Estate Planning in Arizona

Answered by Arizona Attorney Search Network

How does Arizona's small estate affidavit work?

Under ARS § 14-3971, an heir may collect personal property (banks accounts, vehicles, etc.) of a decedent using a sworn affidavit instead of opening a probate, provided the value falls below statutory thresholds and a 30-day waiting period after death has passed. A separate provision allows transfer of small real property holdings via affidavit after a longer waiting period. This procedure resolves many smaller Arizona estates without ever filing a probate.

What happens if I die without a will in Arizona?

Your assets pass under Arizona's intestate succession statutes (ARS § 14-2102 and following). For a married decedent, the surviving spouse inherits all community property and all separate property if there are no children outside the current marriage. If there are children from prior relationships, the surviving spouse takes one-half of separate property and the children take the rest. Intestate distribution is rarely what people would have chosen.

Does Arizona have an estate or inheritance tax?

No. Arizona repealed its state estate tax in 2005 and has never had an inheritance tax. The federal estate tax applies only to estates exceeding the federal exemption (approximately $13.99 million per individual in 2025). For the vast majority of Arizonans, federal estate tax is not a concern.

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