What to Do When Someone Dies in Greenlee County, Arizona

How probate works in Greenlee County: the Superior Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.

Probate Court Record

Greenlee County Superior Court

Greenlee County

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Office

223 5th Street, Clifton, AZ 85533

E-filing

Filing in person

Walk-ins accepted

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

E-filing

OptionalACJA § 1-901, Attachment A (version effective June 1, 2026): e-filing through eFileAZ is authorized for probate post-initiation documents in every county other than Pima, and is not mandatory in probate cases. Wills, any document used to initiate a probate case, and letters in probate cases may not be e-filed. On paper: Wills; Documents that initiate a probate case; Letters in probate cases.

Filing in person

Walk-ins acceptedFile at the Clerk of the Superior Court counter in the courthouse at 223 5th Street, Clifton, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by mail to the Clerk's mailing address.

Self-represented filing

AllowedThe Arizona Judicial Branch publishes the statewide probate forms, and the county's Courts page links the Arizona Courts Self-Service Center and the Maricopa County Superior Court's self-help forms. The Clerk of the Superior Court answers at 928-865-4242.

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Greenlee County

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Greenlee County, probate runs through the Superior Court at 223 5th Street, Clifton.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Arizona intestacy law when there is no will.

Most Arizona estates take 6 months to 9 months to move through this process. Creditors have 4 monthsA.R.S. §§ 14-3801, 14-3803, 14-3804, 14-3805, 14-3806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.

What Probate Costs in Greenlee County

What probate costs in Greenlee County, Arizona comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Superior Court at 223 5th Street, Clifton.

Arizona's statewide class C fee is $176 plus a $15 document storage fee, $191 in total. Each county's Board of Supervisors adds its own charges, so the total runs from $191 in Yavapai, Navajo and Santa Cruz to $306 in Maricopa and $371 in Mohave. The same fee applies to informal, formal and supervised filingsA.R.S. § 12-284(A) (class C); A.R.S. § 12-284.01 (document storage fund); A.R.S. § 11-251.08 (county fees); Ariz. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order 2024-210 (eff. Dec. 28, 2024)Verified Oct 17, 2026. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Attorney fees in Arizona are negotiated, typically 2.2%Modeled estimate under A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%Modeled estimate under A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.

Arizona allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payA.R.S. § 14-3719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Arizona requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.

A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under A.R.S. § 14-3603Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.

Probate in Arizona typically runs 6 months to 9 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the Superior Court

Probate documents in Greenlee County can be filed in person at the Superior Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available.

Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Clerk of the Superior Court and Probate Registrar.

Can You File Without an Attorney?

In Arizona, informal probate is availableA.R.S. § 14-3301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Greenlee County Self-Filing Assessment.

Greenlee County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

Wills and case-initiating probate documents are filed on paper

Under Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 1-901, Attachment A, § III(F), wills and any document used to initiate a probate case may not be e-filed, so the application or petition and the original will are filed in person, by mail, or via filing depository. Later documents in an open probate case may be e-filed through eFileAZ; a self-represented filer e-files under a registered eFileAZ login.

Source

What to Bring

Filed with the opening petition at the Superior Court: Original will and any codicils, if testate (lodged/deposited with the court) (A.R.S. § 14-2516); Application for Informal Appointment with required § 14-3301 contents (heirs/devisees, domicile, priority)A.R.S. §§ 14-3103 (necessity of letters), 14-3301 to 14-3311 (informal appointment), 14-3401 to 14-3414 (formal appointment)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Death Certificates and the Medical Examiner in Greenlee County

In Arizona a death is registered locally, and in Greenlee County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Health Department, Office of Vital Registration, Greenlee County as well as by Arizona Department of Health Services - Bureau of Vital Records.

Vital Records Office Record

Local Health Department

Greenlee County · Health Department, Office of Vital Registration

Hours

Monday-Thursday 7:00 AM-5:00 PM

Office

253 5th Street, Clifton, AZ 85533

Mail

P.O. Box 936 Clifton, AZ 85533

Fax

1-928-865-1929

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Coroner or Medical Examiner Record

Medical Examiner

Greenlee County · Medical Examiner Office

Mail and offices

Mail

P.O. Box 218 Morenci, AZ 85540

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Greenlee County

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Recorder.

Deeds and other real property documents for Greenlee County are recorded with the County Recorder at 253 5th Street, Clifton, AZ 85533. Phone: 1-928-865-2632. Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:00 AM-5:00 PM.

The County Recorder charges $30 flat, regardless of page count.

Greenlee County accepts electronic recording through CSC, Data Services, ePN and Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Greenlee County

Hours

Monday-Thursday 7:00 AM-5:00 PM

Office

253 5th Street, Clifton, AZ 85533

E-recording

available via CSC, Data Services, ePN and Simplifile

Fees

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$30
Transfer tax on a TOD deedNo transfer tax applies to TOD deeds

A.R.S. § 11-475(A)(1)

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

Probate Attorneys Serving Greenlee County

Arizona allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Greenlee County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.

Probate attorney fees in Arizona are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Greenlee County firm to quote a structure up front.

A probate attorney files the petition with the Superior Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.

Solo PracticeSafford, AZ

Channen Day Law

Serves 2 counties

Safford practice serving Graham and Greenlee County families from its West Thatcher Boulevard office. Estate work covers wills, trusts, and powers of attorney through probate, plus guardianships and conservatorships when a family member can no longer manage their affairs. The office also handles family law, criminal defense, civil litigation, and business formation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianship

Office
1717 W Thatcher BlvdSafford, AZ 85546

Solo PracticeSafford, AZ

J. Grant Walker, PLLC

Serves 2 counties

General practice in Safford handling probate of estates, trust administration, and guardianship and conservatorship matters for Graham County and southeastern Arizona. J. Grant Walker has practiced in Arizona since 1981. Accepts walk-in appointments and makes home and hospital visits when needed.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipReal Estate

Office
1124 W Thatcher Blvd, Suite 202Safford, AZ 85546

Solo PracticeWillcox, AZ

Law Office of Lowell A. Jensen, PLC

Serves 3 counties

Willcox solo practice of Lowell A. Jensen, admitted to the Arizona bar in 1975, serving Cochise County and the neighboring Graham and Greenlee County communities. His State Bar listing covers wills, probate, trusts and estates, alongside bankruptcy, collections, criminal and personal injury work.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate

Office
241 S Haskell AveWillcox, AZ 85643

FirmMesa, AZ

Compton Law, P.C.

Serves the whole state

Mesa estate firm on South Higley Road serving East Valley families and clients across Arizona, with 35+ years of practice. The attorneys work only in estate planning, trusts, probate, estate and trust administration, special needs planning, and elder law. Offers a free 30-minute session; not all consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawSpecial Needs Planning

Office
1423 S Higley Rd, Suite 112Mesa, AZ 85206
Free consultation

Solo PracticeFlagstaff, AZ

Law Office of Tony S. Cullum, PLLC

Serves the whole state

Flagstaff solo practice serving Coconino County and clients across Arizona, founded by Tony S. Cullum in 1975. Handles probate administration and estate planning built around probate avoidance, including living trusts and wills, plus guardianship matters. Cullum is certified as a real estate law specialist by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipReal Estate

Office
14 E Dale AveFlagstaff, AZ 86001

FirmScottsdale, AZ

Loose Law Group, P.C.

Since 1982 · Serves the whole state

Scottsdale firm founded in 1982, with additional offices in Tucson and Show Low, handling Maricopa County estates from its East Cactus Road office. The practice covers formal and informal probate, trust administration, and trust litigation alongside estate planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTrust LitigationBusiness Law

Office
7047 E Greenway Parkway, Suite 400Scottsdale, AZ 85254
See all 8 firms serving Greenlee County →

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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Legal Sources

Show 4 more sources

Data sourced from Arizona statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.

Tools for Settling an Estate in Arizona

Free tools for settling an estate in Arizona: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Arizona.

How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Arizona: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysA.R.S. §§ 14-3706, 14-3707, 14-3708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsA.R.S. §§ 14-3801, 14-3803, 14-3804, 14-3805, 14-3806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.

See the Steps

How Do I Settle a Trust?

Settling a trust in Arizona happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeA.R.S. § 14-10101 et seq. (Title 14, Chapter 11)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysA.R.S. §§ 14-10813, 14-10109, 14-11005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.

See the Steps

Can I Self-File Probate?

In Arizona, informal probate is availableA.R.S. § 14-3301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.

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