Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-1158 – Effect of payment into court; security; disbursement

A. The payment into court by plaintiff of the amount of the judgment, or the deposit in court of the amount fixed and determined as provided in section 12-1155, shall be deemed a payment or deposit of money for the use of the persons entitled thereto. The payment or deposit shall constitute a payment to the persons entitled thereto to the extent of the monies so paid or deposited in the court.
B. Any such payment shall be as valid and effectual in all respects as if made by plaintiff directly to the person entitled thereto, or in the case of a person under legal disability, as if made to his guardian, whether or not:
1. 1. Such person or his whereabouts is known or unknown.
2. 2. Such person is under a legal disability.
3. 3. There are adverse or conflicting claims to such awards.
C. The money paid into court shall be secured in the manner directed by the court, and shall be paid to the persons found entitled thereto as provided by the final judgment of the court.