Christopher Leas

Christopher Leas, Licensed Fiduciary #20785, is a Partner & Director of Estate Services for Reliance Fiduciary. Chris began his fiduciary work in 2016 as a solo practitioner and supervises all aspects of services provided by Reliance Fiduciary. In addition, Chris works closely with other professionals such as CPAs, Geriatric Care Managers, Financial Advisors, Fiduciaries, and other specialists to ensure an overall health and financial well-being for a client.

Chris graduated from University of Phoenix and obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Previous to becoming a fiduciary, Chris has worked as a paralegal for an attorney in the Probate Court. Chris also worked for a number of years on an emergency ambulance as an EMT for Southwest Ambulance and proudly served as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle Operator in the United States Marine Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Chris brings both his medical skills of being an EMT, the discipline and dedication of being a Marine, and knowledge of Probate from being a paralegal to his fiduciary services.

Chris is a member and on the board of the Arizona Fiduciary Association.

To contact Chris, please e-mail him at Chris@reliancefid.com, or call (480) 405-2411.

Nicolle M. Escalante

Nicolle M. Escalante , Reliance Fiduciary Partner & Director of Accounting Services, began working in the fiduciary field in 2008 where she quickly saw the need to assist our vulnerable community. Before joining Reliance Fiduciary in 2017, Nicolle worked for fourteen years in a diverse range of industries, including the CIT Group, Safeway Accounting Service Center, and three other professional fiduciary firms.

During Nicolle’s tenure in fiduciary practice, she served as the main point of contact for all financial institutions, set up all operating accounts, and developed great rapport with many financial institutions.

In her fiduciary capacity, Nicolle has served as an Estate Administrator and Accounting Assistant and was responsible for the multifaceted case management of numerous clients and estates. She works effectively on complex matters and is able to identify and fulfill our client’s fiduciary needs. Nicolle is an Arizona Supreme Court licensed fiduciary.

In 2011, Nicolle obtained her associate’s degree with a concentration in accounting and completed her education with a Bachelor of Science in business management at the University of Phoenix.  In addition, she served on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Fiduciaries Association as the Treasurer from March 2015 through May 2019.

Her varied background in accounting and previous fiduciary experience provided her with a strong basis to effectively carry out a wide scope of fiduciary responsibilities. Nicolle is committed to ensuring the highest standards of ethics in every aspect of her fiduciary capacity.

Nicolle enjoys working out, hiking, and new adventures with her children.

To contact Nicolle, please e-mail her at Nicolle@reliancefid.com, or call (480) 405-2411.

Debra Bailey

Debra Bailey, Licensed Fiduciary #20635, began as a fiduciary trainee in April 2008 with another fiduciary firm. Debra has developed the knowledge and skills required to assume a high degree of responsibility, problem-solving and decision-making, for the proper administration/management of various court cases, including guardianships, conservatorships, and trusts – as well as for carrying out the duties as agent under powers of attorney. She has efficiently administered court cases and trusts from small and straightforward to high net-worth and complex – applying to all the highest level of care and ethics.

Her diverse experience working in the insurance/financial services fields for a number of years, and working in the legal field for Latham & Watkins in San Diego, California, and Holme Roberts & Owen and CF&I Steel Corporation in Colorado – combine to provide a strong basis to effectively meet a wide range of fiduciary responsibilities.

She holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in business administration/finance from the University of Northern Colorado, an honors certificate from the Denver Paralegal Institute, and has taken graduate courses in tax and accounting at San Diego State University. She is an active member of the Arizona Fiduciaries Association.