The process in one sentence
Identify probate property, open the appropriate court track, obtain an appointment, notify interested people and creditors, inventory and administer the assets, then distribute and close.
Before step one: confirm probate is needed
A probate case does not control every asset a person owned. Beneficiary designations, survivorship title, trust ownership, and Arizona’s affidavit procedures can supply a different transfer path. Review the asset list first so the court case is not opened merely because the family assumes every estate requires one.
Use the probate-path checklistArizona probate, stage by stage
- 1
List the assets and identify the transfer path
Start with legal ownership, beneficiary designations, survivorship language, trust ownership, secured debt, and the organization controlling each asset. This separates potential probate property from assets that may transfer directly or through an affidavit.
- 2
Choose the county and the probate track
An uncontested estate may use informal probate under A.R.S. §14-3301. A question that needs a judge’s decision may require formal probate under A.R.S. §14-3401. Venue and the person’s Arizona domicile determine which Superior Court should receive the case.
- 3
Submit the application or petition
An informal application must contain the information required by A.R.S. §14-3301. The registrar reviews the application and makes the findings described in A.R.S. §14-3303; informal probate is not simply automatic because papers were submitted.
- 4
Receive the appointment and letters
Arizona’s priority rules in A.R.S. §14-3203 affect who may serve. Once appointed, the personal representative’s duties relate back as described in A.R.S. §14-3701, and the role is governed by the fiduciary standard in A.R.S. §14-3703. Court-issued letters are the evidence of authority that institutions commonly request.
- 5
Notify heirs and prepare the inventory
The personal representative must provide the required information to heirs and devisees within 30 days after appointment under A.R.S. §14-3705. The estate inventory is due within 90 days under A.R.S. §14-3706.
- 6
Handle creditor notice and claims
Unknown-creditor notice is published once a week for three successive weeks, and the statutory claim period is 4 months from first publication under A.R.S. §14-3801. A known creditor given direct notice generally receives at least 60 days from mailing or delivery under the same statute. A particular claim may involve other limits or exceptions.
- 7
Resolve obligations, distribute, and close
After assets are collected, valid obligations and required tax matters are addressed before the remaining probate property is distributed under the will or Arizona intestacy law. An informal closing statement cannot be filed earlier than 4 months after appointment and must satisfy the conditions in A.R.S. §14-3933.
Informal and formal are different tracks
Informal probate
A.R.S. §14-3301
Application to the court registrar; no hearing when nobody objects. Most Arizona estates take this lane.
Formal probate
A.R.S. §14-3401
A judge decides — used when there is a dispute about the will, who serves, or an heir, or to resolve doubt.
A dispute is not the only reason a formal proceeding may be used, and a case can move between tracks. The correct filing depends on what the court is being asked to decide.
Use the current court packet
The Arizona Judicial Branch publishes statewide probate forms, but individual Superior Courts may require or prefer additional local forms.
Frequently asked questions
Does every Arizona estate go through probate?
No. Assets with a valid beneficiary, survivorship title, trust ownership, or another nonprobate transfer path may not need a probate case. Arizona also has separate small-estate affidavit procedures when every statutory condition is met.
How soon can informal probate begin?
The registrar may not make the informal probate or appointment finding until at least 120 hours have elapsed, under A.R.S. §14-3302. Other notice, venue, and filing rules still apply.
How long do creditors have?
Published notice runs once a week for three successive weeks. Claims covered by that publication are generally measured from the first publication using the 4-month period in A.R.S. §14-3801. Known creditors receive direct notice and a separate statutory response period.
Are the probate forms the same in every county?
Not always. The Arizona Judicial Branch publishes statewide forms and Arizona Court Help routes people to court-specific packets, but the Superior Court handling the case may require additional local forms or procedures.
