What is an Arizona Probate and When Is It Required?

What is an Arizona probate? Probate is the term that describes a superior court proceeding in which the court appoints a personal representative of the estate of a deceased person who is responsible, in simple language, for the following tasks:
1. Find, collect and make an inventory of the assets of the decedent.
2. Pay the last expenses of the decedent.
3. File income tax returns of the decedent.
4. Prepare an accounting and distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries of the decedent:
a. As provided in the deceased’s Will or Trust;
b. If there is no valid Will then as provided in the law of intestate succession.

How to Determine if a Probate is Required: Before we can determine if a probate for a decedent’s estate is required, we must review the value of the assets owned by the decedent at the time of death and how the assets are titled. There may be named beneficiaries on the assets. Assets may be titled in the name of the decedent’s revocable trust. There are small estate procedures available. Please contact me to discuss these questions.