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    A.R.S. § 12-559.2

    How Arizona Determines Fair Market Value for Asbestos Liability Caps

    Verified May 17, 2026 • 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session

    This section sets the methods for establishing the fair market value of the transferor's total gross assets, which sets the asbestos liability cap under 12-559.1. Either going concern value or any other reasonable method is permitted, giving courts flexibility to apply the cap fairly.

    Title 12, LIMITATIONS OF ACTIONS

    azleg.gov

    What This Statute Says

    The asbestos liability cap in A.R.S. 12-559.1 only works if the parties can establish the fair market value of the transferor's total gross assets. This section provides the methods, including the going concern value of the predecessor or any other reasonable approach.

    A. To determine the limitation pursuant to section 12-559.01, a successor corporation may establish the fair market value of total gross assets through any method reasonable under the circumstances, including either of the following:

    A.R.S. § 12-559.2

    When This Statute Comes Into Play

    This valuation framework matters when:

    • Plaintiffs and defendants in an asbestos case dispute the size of the available recovery pool.
    • A successor corporation needs to establish the cap for use in settlement negotiations.
    • A court must determine how much remains under the cap after prior payments.

    What This Means for Arizona Families

    Valuation disputes can decide whether an asbestos case is worth pursuing. The going concern value of a predecessor company at the time of a decades-old merger is not always easy to establish, and the choice of method can dramatically change the available recovery.

    For families pursuing asbestos claims, the valuation question usually falls to expert witnesses on both sides. The personal representative's job is to make sure the case is positioned to take advantage of whatever value remains under the cap. Our FAQ on starting probate after death in Arizona covers the early administration steps that establish standing. An Arizona probate attorney working with an asbestos specialist coordinates the wrongful death claim, the valuation expert, and the deadline tracking. Pairing this with any special needs trust structure for affected dependents ensures the recovery is preserved for those who actually need it. The valuation methods in this section give plaintiffs real tools to maximize the available pool.

    A. To determine the limitation pursuant to section 12-559.01, a successor corporation may establish the fair market value of total gross assets through any method reasonable under the circumstances, including either of the following: 1. By reference to the going concern value of the assets or to the purchase price attributable to or paid for the assets in an arms length transaction. 2. In the absence of other readily available information from which the fair market value can be determined, by reference to the value of the assets recorded on a balance sheet. B. Total gross assets include intangible assets. C. To the extent total gross assets include any liability insurance that was issued to the transferor whose assets are being valued for the purposes of this section, the applicability, terms, conditions and limits of that insurance are not affected by this section, and this section does not affect the rights and obligations of an insurer, transferor or successor under any insurance contract and any related agreements, including preenactment settlements resolving coverage-related disputes, or the rights of an insurer to seek payment for applicable deductibles, retrospective premiums or self-insured retentions or to seek contribution from a successor for uninsured or self-insured periods or periods where insurance is uncollectible or otherwise unavailable. Notwithstanding this subsection, to the extent that total gross assets include liability insurance, a settlement of a dispute concerning that liability insurance coverage that is entered into by a transferor or successor with the insurers of the transferor before the effective date of this section determines the total coverage of that liability insurance to be included in the calculation of the transferor's total gross assets.

    This page provides general legal information about Arizona statutes and is not legal advice. For guidance on how this law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

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