Best Lawyers in Arizona, United States for Trusts and Estates
Gary Fletcher is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Real Estate Law and Trusts and Estates. Gary practices law in Phoenix, Arizona Best Lawyers has recognized Gary Fletcher since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Gary Fletcher is held by other lawyers.
Lauren Garner is an experienced litigator and mediator whose practice emphasizes probate, trusts and guardian/conservatorships. Lauren’s clients rely on that experience and her sensitivity in matters that touch families, trusts, and estates. Dedication and personal involvement are a critical part of Lauren’s practice. She feels a deep sense of accomplishment in her 1998 move to Phoenix, after nearly a lifetime of business and personal contacts in Miami, Florida. Here, she has deve...
Margaret isn’t your average estate planning lawyer. With over 30 years of experience spanning from Los Angeles to London, New York, Rome and Phoenix she brings a sophisticated, business-first mindset to protecting your family’s future. She also specializes in corporate advisory. From established companies to startups, Margaret helps guide businesses on a wide range of legal rights, duties, and responsibilities and can connect you with the additional expertise you may need. Triple-...
T.J. Ryan's practice encompasses virtually all aspects of family estates, from estate and business planning, to probate and trust administration, to litigating contested estates – an area in which he has achieved a strong track record for positive results. His commitment to excellence in estate controversy and estate planning matters has earned his election as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). T.J. focuses his practice on personal and business plannin...
Senior partner and Best Lawyers® honoree Lisa Reilly Payton focuses her law practice on estate planning, tax planning, and federal and state tax controversy. Lisa is a popular speaker and has appeared multiple times on the Emmy Award-winning talk show The List. Lisa's estate planning experience includes helping individuals, couples, and business owners identify their planning options and tailoring their choices to their unique situations and goals. In guiding her clients through the plann...
Kelsi T. Lane’s practice focuses on probate administration, trust administration, and estate planning. Kelsi is a dedicated attorney practicing estate law. She is focused on ensuring her clients’ legal needs are met with promptness and efficiency. Kelsi is recognized for her expertise by The Best Lawyers in America ©, 2024 and 2025 editions, Super Lawyers ®, 2022, 2023, and 2024 editions, and featured in Phoenix Magazine ’s Top Lawyers in Wills, Trusts, & Estate...
For four decades, Jim Ryan has helped high net worth Arizona families create and enjoy financial legacies. A Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and a Certified Specialist in Estate and Trust Law, Jim Ryan is a widely acknowledged leader in Phoenix-Scottsdale legal and business circles for complex estate and business planning and estate administration. Jim is a past chair of the Estate and Trust Advisory Commission for the State Bar of Arizona, which administers...
Nichole Wilk brings over a decade of business and legal expertise. She began her law career working in commercial litigation and now uses those skills and knowledge gained to better assist and protect her clients in business and real estate transactions. Her practice includes both litigation and transactional representation. Real Estate: Nichole assists clients in a wide range of real estate matters. Her experience includes assistance with the purchase and sale of real property, leasing, and ...
Scott Erickson is an AV-rated Certified Specialist in Estate and Trust Law and a past chair of the State Bar of Arizona's Estate and Trust Advisory Commission, which assists the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization in the certification of estate and trust law practitioners. A partner at Frazer Ryan, Scott has an estate planning practice encompassing asset protection planning, business succession planning, charitable gift planning, pre-marital planning, probate and trust administration, busin...
Ryan M. Scharber is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Ryan M. practices law in Chandler, Arizona Best Lawyers has recognized Ryan M. Scharber since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Ryan M. Scharber is held by other lawyers.
Bradley S. Braun is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Bradley S. practices law in Scottsdale, Arizona Best Lawyers has recognized Bradley S. Braun since 2013. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Bradley S. Braun is held by other lawyers.
Jerome Elwell is a litigator with extensive experience in complex civil and commercial litigation, including plaintiff’s personal injury and trust and estate litigation. The Best Lawyers ® and Super Lawyers honoree devotes a significant portion of his practice to probate and estate litigation, including contested guardianship and conservatorship matters, will and trust contests, disputed estate administrations and elder abuse violations. He received his B.S. in general business and ...
Phillip W. Hilliard focuses his legal practice on estate and tax planning and estate and trust administration. He also works with clients on related real estate transactions, business succession planning, tax controversy matters, and other challenges faced by moderate and high net worth individuals and families. Phillip has experience developing and drafting customized estate planning documents for clients, including Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, and a broad range of Trus...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
