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.
However, if there is no will or the will is contested by potential heirs or creditors, the process can become lengthy due to court hearings and legal challenges. On average, probate in Arizona takes between six months to a year for an uncontested estate.
However, if there is no will or the will is contested by potential heirs or creditors, the process can become lengthy due to court hearings and legal challenges. On average, probate in Arizona takes between six months to a year for an uncontested estate.
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.
Case initiating documents and subsequent filings for probate case types must be filed in-person, by mail, or via a filing depository box. The ability to eFile probate case documents is currently not available for Maricopa County, but is expected in the near future.
Filing a Will or Probate Case The Probate Filing Counter is located at 201 W. Jefferson in Phoenix, or at our Southeast location, 222 E. Javelina in Mesa, or at our Northwest Regional Court Center location at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane in Surprise, or at our Northeast Regional Court Center at 18380 N.
It can be easy to become overwhelmed with managing and balancing everything required to close out a deceased loved one's estate, especially when Arizona Probate law can be so time consuming. This is why it's highly recommended that you contact an experienced Arizona Probate lawyer.
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.
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.