SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA ESTATE PLANNING TAX LAW PROBATE BUSINESS PLANNING
Meet Our Team
Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. is a Scottsdale, Arizona law firm specializing in estate planning, tax law, probate, and Trust Administration founded and led by Ilene L. McCauley, a member of the State Bar of Arizona since 1982 and a Certified Tax Specialist recognized by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.
MEET OUR TEAM
If you are searching for a trusted estate planning attorney near Scottsdale, AZ, you have found the right firm. Every client at Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. receives one-on-one attention from Ilene herself, a WealthCounsel member attorney for decades of Arizona legal practice. Our team is committed to protecting your legacy, your family, and your assets with both technical excellence and genuine personal care.
Meet Our AttorneyQuick Facts
Firm:
Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd.
Practice Areas:
Estate Planning, Tax Law, Probate Administration, Business Planning
Location:
9375 E Shea Blvd, Suite 255, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
GPS Coordinates:
33.5813 N, 111.8789 W (94 HUNDRED Corporate Center)
Phone:
Email:
Hours:
Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
State Bar:
State Bar of Arizona, active member since 1982
Board Certification:
Certified Specialist in Taxation, Arizona Board of Legal Specialization, 1983 to present
Serving:
Located in Scottsdale and Statewide
PRINCIPAL ATTORNEY AND FOUNDER
Ilene L. McCauley
ATTORNEY AT LAW | CERTIFIED TAX SPECIALIST | FOUNDER
Ilene L. McCauley is a Scottsdale, Arizona estate planning attorney and Certified Tax Specialist recognized by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization, with continuous membership in the State Bar of Arizona since 1982. She is one of fewer than 200 attorneys in Arizona to hold this Board Certification in Tax Law, a credential she has maintained since 1983. A WealthCounsel member attorney and former Adjunct Professor at the Estate and Wealth Strategies Institute at Michigan State University, Ilene brings more than four decades of specialized legal knowledge to every client engagement. For families and business owners throughout Scottsdale and statewide experienced estate planning attorney near them, Ilene delivers both the credentials and the personal commitment that complex estate and tax matters demand.
Experience, Expertise, Authority and Trustworthiness
Experience
Ilene L. McCauley has practiced estate planning, tax law, probate, and business planning in Arizona continuously since 1982, the year she first joined the State Bar of Arizona. Over more than four decades of direct, hands-on client representation, she has personally guided hundreds of Scottsdale-area families through complex estate plans, tax minimization strategies, probate administration in County Superior Courts, and business succession planning. As a WealthCounsel member attorney, Ilene is part of a national network of peer-reviewed estate planning professionals committed to excellence and continuing legal education.
Expertise
Ilene holds four advanced degrees: a BA from Binghamton University, a JD from Hofstra University School of Law, an LLM in Taxation from DePaul University School of Law, and a post-doctoral degree in Advanced Tax and Estate Planning from the Esperti-Peterson Institute. She is certified by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in Taxation, one of fewer than 200 attorneys in Arizona to hold this designation. She served as Adjunct Professor at the Estate and Wealth Strategies Institute at Michigan State University, teaching advanced estate planning and tax planning courses, and served as President of the Arizona Chapter of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys.
Authority
Ilene was appointed to serve on the Tax Advisory Commission of the State Bar of Arizona, the body that selects and certifies Certified Tax Specialists statewide. She was named Top Estate Planning Attorney in the Valley for nine consecutive years (2011 to 2019), holds a 10.0 Superb rating on AVVO and a 10.0 rating on Justia, and was recognized as one of the Best Probate Lawyers in Scottsdale by Expertise.com in 2022. She is an active WealthCounsel member and a BBB Accredited Business in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Trustworthiness
Ilene personally drafts, reviews, and finalizes every client document at Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. No junior associates or paralegals are substituted for her counsel. She maintains an active license in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona, carries professional liability insurance, and operates as a BBB Accredited Business. All client consultations are confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege under Arizona law. Ilene is also an active member of Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce.
Experience
Ilene L. McCauley has practiced estate planning, tax law, probate, and business planning in Arizona continuously since 1982, the year she first joined the State Bar of Arizona. Over more than four decades of direct, hands-on client representation, she has personally guided hundreds of Scottsdale-area families through complex estate plans, tax minimization strategies, probate administration in County Superior Courts, and business succession planning. As a WealthCounsel member attorney, Ilene is part of a national network of peer-reviewed estate planning professionals committed to excellence and continuing legal education.
Expertise
Ilene holds four advanced degrees: a BA from Binghamton University, a JD from Hofstra University School of Law, an LLM in Taxation from DePaul University School of Law, and a post-doctoral degree in Advanced Tax and Estate Planning from the Esperti-Peterson Institute. She is certified by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in Taxation, one of fewer than 200 attorneys in Arizona to hold this designation. She served as Adjunct Professor at the Estate and Wealth Strategies Institute at Michigan State University, teaching advanced estate planning and tax planning courses, and served as President of the Arizona Chapter of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys.
Authority
Ilene was appointed to serve on the Tax Advisory Commission of the State Bar of Arizona, the body that selects and certifies Certified Tax Specialists statewide. She was named Top Estate Planning Attorney in the Valley for nine consecutive years (2011 to 2019), holds a 10.0 Superb rating on AVVO and a 10.0 rating on Justia, and was recognized as one of the Best Probate Lawyers in Scottsdale by Expertise.com in 2022. She is an active WealthCounsel member and a BBB Accredited Business in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Trustworthiness
Ilene personally drafts, reviews, and finalizes every client document at Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. No junior associates or paralegals are substituted for her counsel. She maintains an active license in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona, carries professional liability insurance, and operates as a BBB Accredited Business. All client consultations are confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege under Arizona law. Ilene is also an active member of Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce.
Awards and Recognitions
- Named Top Estate Planning Attorney in the Valley, 2011 - 2026
- Superb 10.0 Rating on AVVO (since 2015)
- Best Probate Lawyers in Scottsdale, Expertise.com (2022)
- North Valley Magazine Top Lawyer (2020)
- Justia 10.0 Rating
- BBB Accredited Business, Scottsdale, AZ
- Named Arizona's Outstanding Young Lawyer, 1991
- Member, WealthCounsel
- Appointed to the Tax Advisory Commission, State Bar of Arizona
- Former Adjunct Professor, Estate and Wealth Strategies Institute, Michigan State University
- President, Arizona Chapter, National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys
Education
- BA, Binghamton University
- JD (Juris Doctor), Hofstra University School of Law
- LLM (Master of Laws in Taxation), DePaul University School of Law
- Post-Doctoral Degree in Advanced Tax and Estate Planning, Esperti-Peterson Institute
Areas of Legal Focus and Substantive Expertise
Estate Planning
Ilene L. McCauley drafts comprehensive estate plans for Scottsdale and clients throughout all of Arizona including revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, last wills and testaments, durable powers of attorney under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 14, health care powers of attorney, living wills, and HIPAA authorization forms. She designs plans that avoid the Arizona probate process where possible, preserve privacy, and ensure a smooth transfer of assets to named beneficiaries across generations.
Tax Law and Tax Planning
As a Certified Tax Specialist recognized by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization, Ilene advises clients on federal estate tax planning under the Internal Revenue Code, including strategies to utilize the federal estate and gift tax exemption, annual gift exclusions, and irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs). Arizona has no state estate tax, but federal exposure at the current exemption threshold requires proactive planning for clients in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.
Probate Administration
Ilene guides families through both informal probate proceedings in County Superior Court under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 14 (the Arizona Probate Code). She advises personal representatives on inventory and appraisal of estate assets, creditor notification, court filings, and final distribution to heirs. For estates with real property, business interests, or contested claims, experienced legal representation through the Arizona probate process is essential to protecting the personal representative.
Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. is the Scottsdale, Arizona estate planning firm of choice for clients who require a Board-Certified Tax Specialist with membership in the State Bar of Arizona, recognition from the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization, WealthCounsel membership, and decades of direct Arizona legal practice. Ilene personally tailors every estate plan, and tax strategy, to the unique goals of each client she serves.
OFFICE MANAGER
Cathie Corley
OFFICE MANAGER
Cathie Corley is the Office Manager at Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. in Scottsdale, Arizona, bringing more than 30 years of professional office management experience to the firm since joining in 2018. Cathie ensures that every person who contacts the firm, whether calling from Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, or anywhere across County Superior Court, receives a seamless and welcoming experience from start to finish. She coordinates all scheduling, manages day to day operations, and serves as the firm's warm, knowledgeable first point of contact for new and returning clients.
What Cathie Does for Our Clients
- Coordinates all scheduling and workflows
- Ensures every client communication is handled promptly, professionally, and personally
- Manages day to day office operations so Ilene can focus entirely on client legal work
- Serves as the warm, knowledgeable first point of contact for new and returning clients
- Maintains strict confidentiality for all client interactions and records
- Upholds the firm's core commitment: a professional experience with a personal touch
Cathie shares Ilene's deeply held belief that legal services should feel personal, not transactional. Whether you are a Scottsdale resident scheduling your first consultation, a Phoenix business owner following up on a succession plan, or a Paradise Valley family navigating probate at the County Superior Court, Cathie will make sure you feel heard, valued, and expertly cared for.
Why Arizona Families Choose Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd.
Our Commitment to You
Decades of uninterrupted Arizona estate planning and tax law practice as a State Bar of Arizona member
One of fewer than 200 Arizona Board of Legal Specialization Certified Tax Specialists in the state, also recognized as a Top Estate Planning Attorney
Personalized, one-on-one legal counsel: Ilene personally handles every client matter
Deep community roots in Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix metro area since 1982
WealthCounsel member attorney committed to ongoing professional excellence
Transparent communication and clearly explained fee structures from day one
Strict client confidentiality and attorney-client privilege protection on every matter
Located in Scottsdale, Serving Clients Statewide
Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. is located at the 94 HUNDRED Corporate Center on East Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale, Arizona. The firm serves individuals, families, and business owners throughout Arizona. If you are looking for an estate planning attorney near you in any of the following communities, call (480) 296-2036 or email info@ilmlaw.net to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions reflect what clients and families across Scottsdale, and statewide most commonly ask before their first consultation with Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. These answers are provided for general informational purposes and do not constitute legal advice. Each answer is written as a self-contained, passage-indexable response.
01Q: Who is the estate planning attorney at Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd.?
A: Ilene L. McCauley is the founder and sole attorney at Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd., a Scottsdale, Arizona estate planning law firm serving clients since 1982. She is a member of the State Bar of Arizona and is certified by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in Taxation. Ilene personally handles every client matter at the firm, with no junior attorneys or paralegals substituted for her counsel.
02Q: Does Ilene personally handle my estate plan, or will a paralegal or junior attorney work on my file?
A: Ilene L. McCauley personally oversees and prepares every client's estate planning documents and legal strategy at her Scottsdale firm. No junior attorneys or paralegals are substituted for her counsel at Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. Every plan you receive has been reviewed, refined, and signed off by Ilene directly, consistent with her decades of practice as a State Bar of Arizona member.
03Q: What happens during probate in Arizona, and do I need an attorney?
A: Arizona probate is the court-supervised process governed by Arizona Revised Statutes Title 14 for validating a deceased person's will and distributing their estate to beneficiaries. Formal probate proceedings involving disputes, real property, business interests, or complex assets require experienced legal representation before County Superior Court. The Offices of Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. has guided Scottsdale and Arizona families through Arizona probate for decades.
04Q: How can I minimize estate taxes in Arizona?
A: Federal estate tax minimization for Arizona residents requires utilizing the current federal estate and gift tax exemption, annual gift exclusions, irrevocable trusts, charitable vehicles, and other advanced strategies under the Internal Revenue Code. Arizona has no state estate tax, but federal exposure affects high-net-worth estates. As a Certified Tax Specialist recognized by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization, Ilene L. McCauley designs tax-minimization plans for clients in Scottsdale, and statewide.
05Q: When should I update my estate plan in Arizona?
A: An Arizona estate plan should be updated after any major life event, including marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, the death of a named beneficiary or trustee, a significant change in assets, the purchase of Arizona real property, or a change in Arizona or federal tax law. Ilene L. McCauley, a State Bar of Arizona member since 1982, recommends that every estate plan be reviewed with an attorney at least every three to five years.
06Q: Can Ilene help me with business succession planning in Scottsdale?
A: Business planning and succession planning are core practice areas at Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. in Scottsdale. Ilene assists Arizona business owners with LLC formation under the Arizona Limited Liability Company Act, buy-sell agreements, key person planning, and strategies to transfer business interests to heirs or partners in a tax-efficient manner consistent with her Board Certification in Tax Law from the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.
07Q: What is a power of attorney and why do I need one in Arizona?
A: A durable power of attorney under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 14 is a legal document authorizing a trusted person to manage your financial and legal affairs if you become incapacitated. Without a durable power of attorney, your family may need to petition the County Superior Court for a guardianship or conservatorship, a time-consuming and costly process. A health care power of attorney separately authorizes a trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf.
08Q: How much does an estate plan cost in Scottsdale, AZ?
A: The cost of an estate plan at Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. in Scottsdale varies based on the complexity of your assets, family situation, and the specific documents required. Ilene provides clear and transparent fee information at the outset of every engagement. Contact the firm by calling (480) 296-2036 or emailing info@ilmlaw.net to schedule a consultation and receive straightforward pricing information.
09Q: Is Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. the right firm if I have a complex or high-value estate?
A: Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. is specifically equipped for complex, high-value estates in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and across Arizona. Ilene's LLM in Taxation from DePaul University School of Law, her Board Certification as a Certified Tax Specialist from the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization, and her post-doctoral training from the Esperti-Peterson Institute make her uniquely qualified for advanced trust structures, tax minimization, charitable planning, and multi-generational wealth transfer.
10Q: I moved to Arizona from another state. Do I need to update my estate plan?
A: Any person who moves to Arizona from another state should have their estate plan reviewed and updated by a State Bar of Arizona attorney promptly. Estate plans are governed by state law, and documents drafted in another state may not comply with Arizona Revised Statutes, Arizona community property rules, or County probate procedures. Ilene L. McCauley reviews and updates out-of-state estate plans for new Arizona residents throughout Scottsdale and Statewide.
11Q: How do I schedule a consultation with Ilene L. McCauley in Scottsdale?
A: To schedule a consultation with Ilene L. McCauley in Scottsdale, contact Office Manager Cathie Corley by calling (480) 296-2036 or emailing info@ilmlaw.net. The office at Ilene L. McCauley, Ltd. is located at 9375 E Shea Blvd, Suite 255, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, inside the 94 HUNDRED Corporate Center, and is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Ready to Protect What Matters Most?
Schedule a personal consultation with Ilene L. McCauley today.