Probate

When a loved one passes away, families often face more than just grief — they are left with legal responsibilities. If the decedent owned assets in their name alone, the estate may require probate, even if there was a will. I provide experienced legal support to help you navigate this process efficiently and with confidence.

What is Probate?

Probate is the court-supervised process of transferring ownership of a deceased person’s assets to their beneficiaries or heirs. In Arizona, most cases qualify for informal probate, a streamlined procedure that avoids court hearings unless disputes arise.

Arizona Informal Probate – A Brief Overview

Informal probate begins by submitting the required documents to the Probate Registrar of the Superior Court. The steps generally include:

1. Determining the appropriate jurisdiction (usually where the decedent lived at the time of death).

2. Filing the application for informal probate and appointment of personal representative.

3. Submitting the original will (if one exists), which must be filed with the court.

4. Court review and appointment of the personal representative (PR).

5. Obtaining a federal EIN (tax ID number) for the estate.

6. Sending required notices to known creditors and publishing notice to unknown creditors.

7. Preparing an inventory of estate assets and determining valuations.

8. Managing and liquidating estate assets if needed, such as selling a home.

9. Paying legally enforceable debts and taxes.

10. Preparing accountings and distribution schedules.

11. Filing a Closing Statement to conclude the estate administration.

How Long Does Probate Take?

Informal probate typically takes 6 to 9 months, but may extend depending on the complexity of the estate, disputes, or delay in asset liquidation.

Streamlined Client Experience

To help clients get started, I offer an online questionnaire you can complete at your convenience. Once I review the details, I’ll schedule a consultation to explain the probate process and next steps. From there, I take care of:

• Preparing and filing all court-required documents

• Ensuring compliance with Arizona probate rules

• Assisting with notices to creditors and beneficiaries

• Helping with inventorying and liquidating estate assets

• Preparing court accountings and distribution documents

• Filing the closing statement and terminating the estate