Opening Probate While some states allow up to six years to probate an estate, the state of Arizona will only accept probate cases that are opened within two years of the decedent's passing (ARS 14-3108).
Probate Shortcuts in Arizona ValueOther Requirements Personal Property < $75,000 No ongoing formal probate Real Estate <$100,000 No personal representative appointed (or active during the last year)
In Arizona, probate is always required for wills and assets that aren't in a trust or included in a transfer-on-death deed. Probate is also required for large estates consisting of personal property valued at over $75,000 and real estate property valued at over $100,000.
There may be additional hearings to resolve contests, and the executor will probably need court approval before making major decisions and actions. Informal probate is obviously the quickest and can conclude in 4 – 6 months. Formal probate may take up to a year or longer.
That is accomplished by filing with the local Probate Court a pleading called an Application for Informal Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative. Alternatively, in the case of an intestate decedent, the pleading is called an Application for Informal Appointment of Personal Representative.
In Arizona, if a decedents estate is small enough, the law allows you to skip probate altogether and use a simplified process. This usually is reserved for smaller estates if the value is under $100,000 (for real estate) or under $75,000 (personal property).
Some estates will not need to go through probate, while others qualify for simplified probate. Some types of assets automatically pass to an heir without any oversight from the probate court.
How to Start Probate for an Estate Open the Decedent's Last Will and Testament. Determine Who Will be the Personal Representative. Compile a List of the Estate's Interested Parties. Take an Inventory of the Decedent's Assets. Calculate the Decedent's Liabilities. Determine if Probate is Necessary. Seek a Waiver of Bond.
If the Estate has been fully administered and it is ready to be closed, file the original Closing Statement ing to the instructions above. Then send a copy of your conformed Closing Statement along with a note requesting that the hearing be canceled to the Commissioner assigned to your case.
Among the documents you'll need to become the administrator of an estate are: Petition for Probate. Notice of Petition to Administer Estate. Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative. Confidential Supplement. Order for Probate. Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.