Yuma general practice serving Yuma and La Paz counties plus neighboring Imperial County, California, in practice since 1920. Handles probate and probate litigation alongside estate planning, wills and trusts, real estate, business, and agricultural law. Firm members are licensed in Arizona, California, Texas, and New Mexico.
What to Do When Someone Dies in La Paz County, Arizona
How probate works in La Paz County: the Superior Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
La Paz County Superior Court
La Paz County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
1316 Kofa Avenue, Suite 607, Parker, AZ 85344
Website
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, 1316 Kofa Avenue, Suite 607, Parker, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe Clerk's Self-Service Center page links the Arizona Supreme Court Self Service Center and the Maricopa County Law Library Resource Center, and the Clerk's home page links the Mohave County Superior Court forms and form kits, which include probate. Spanish-language forms are linked from the home page.
Self-help center
- Self-help serviceAssistance in Spanish in addition to EnglishSpanish is the language other than English most often used in the court. Self-help materials include forms with instructions in Spanish, bilingual staff serve the public, and the court helps people with limited English fill out court forms.
County forms
- Mohave County Superior Court Forms and Form KitsCourt forms and form kits, including probate kits, linked from the La Paz County Clerk's home page as its Superior Court forms.
Fax
1-928-669-2186
About the court
- The Clerk of the Superior Court is the Probate Registrar and collects all fees for the Superior Court. The office is closed on legal holidays. Give at least 24 hours' notice when language or disability services are needed.
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in La Paz 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 La Paz County, probate runs through the Superior Court at 1316 Kofa Avenue, Suite 607, Parker.
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 La Paz County
What probate costs in La Paz 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 1316 Kofa Avenue, Suite 607, Parker.
The Superior Court charges $306A.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 to open a probate case. 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 La Paz 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.
Spanish is the language other than English most often used in the court. Self-help materials include forms with instructions in Spanish, bilingual staff serve the public, and the court helps people with limited English fill out court forms.
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 La Paz County Self-Filing Assessment.
La Paz 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 on paper with the Clerk. Later documents in an open probate case may be e-filed through eFileAZ; a self-represented filer e-files under a registered eFileAZ login.
SourceDocument Requirements
Maricopa County Spanish-language forms may be filed with the county name changed
The Clerk links to the Maricopa County Spanish-language court forms page and directs filers to strike "Maricopa County" and write "La Paz County" on a form filed in La Paz County.
SourceWhat 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 La Paz County
In Arizona a death is registered locally, and in La Paz County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Office of Vital Records, La Paz County as well as by Arizona Department of Health Services - Bureau of Vital Records.
Vital Records Office Record
Local Health Department
La Paz County · Office of Vital Records
Fax
1-928-669-6703
Local rule
- Same day printing is not always available, so call ahead for an urgent order. The office accepts checks and money orders only, and no credit or debit cards.
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $20 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Medical Examiner
La Paz County · Office of the Medical Examiner
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
3050 East Milber Street, Tucson, AZ 85714
Website
Serves this county
Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner
Release of remains
1-520-724-8600 · Decedent release · (option 2) · Monday-Friday 12:30 PM-3:00 PM
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in La Paz 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 La Paz County are recorded with the County Recorder at 1112 Joshua Avenue, Suite 201, Parker, AZ 85344. Phone: 1-928-669-6136. Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:00 AM-6:00 PM.
The County Recorder charges $30 flat, regardless of page count.
La Paz County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
La Paz County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Thursday 7:00 AM-6:00 PM
Office
1112 Joshua Avenue, Suite 201, Parker, AZ 85344
Website
E-recording
available via Simplifile
Fax
1-928-669-5638
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $30 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | No 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
- Free forms: Affidavit of Death Form
Probate Attorneys Serving La Paz County
Arizona allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in La Paz 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 La Paz 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.
Tri-state firm with offices in Bullhead City, Kingman, and Lake Havasu City, serving Mohave and La Paz County communities along the Colorado River plus Nevada and California. Guides executors and administrators through Arizona probate - inventory, appraisal, and distribution - and prepares wills, living trusts, and beneficiary deeds. Keith S. Knochel founded the firm in 1989.
Law Office of John C. Churchill
Parker solo practice serving La Paz County and western Arizona, admitted to the Arizona bar in 1982 and to the Colorado River Tribal Court. The State Bar lists wills, probate, trusts and estates among his practice areas, alongside real estate, business, family law, and appellate work.
Bullhead City firm serving Mohave County — Bullhead City, Fort Mohave, Kingman, and Lake Havasu City — along with La Paz County and the greater Phoenix area. Its estate practice covers probate, guardianship, and conservatorship proceedings as well as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives; initial consultations carry a nominal fee.
The Law Offices of Heather C. Wellborn, P.C.
500 N Lake Havasu Ave, Suite B100, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Lake Havasu City practice serving Mohave and La Paz counties from offices in Lake Havasu City, Kingman, and Parker. Prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives, and handles guardianship and conservatorship proceedings alongside family law, criminal defense, and personal injury work. Heather C. Wellborn is a Certified Mediator.
Multi-attorney Mohave County firm with offices in Kingman and Lake Havasu City, handling matters in Mohave County Superior Court. Files probate petitions, inventories estate assets, manages creditor notification and disputes, and establishes guardianships and conservatorships, plus wills and trusts that plan around probate. Probate consultations begin at $200 for up to one hour of attorney time.
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.
Legal Sources
(9)·
- A.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)
- A.R.S. § 14-3301
- A.R.S. § 14-3719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- A.R.S. §§ 14-3103 (necessity of letters), 14-3301 to 14-3311 (informal appointment), 14-3401 to 14-3414 (formal appointment)
- A.R.S. §§ 14-3801, 14-3803, 14-3804, 14-3805, 14-3806
- A.R.S. § 11-475(A)(1)
- La Paz County Superior Court, official page
- La Paz County Recorder, official page
- La Paz County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
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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