How Much Does Probate Cost in Pima County, Arizona?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Pima County can expect.
Probate in Pima County, Arizona runs through the Superior Court at 110 W. Congress Street, 1st Floor, Tucson. The total cost depends on the estate's size, whether the will is contested, and how much professional help the executor uses.
Probate matters are handled through Probate Clerk, Probate Registrar (Vicky Nicula), and Probate Accountant (Lorenzo Garza). Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Local procedures at this court: Probate case-initiating documents must be filed in paper. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.
The Superior Court charges $191A.R.S. § 12-284, Admin. Order 2024-210Verified May 5, 2026 to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
The Superior Court accepts e-filing (https://efile.azcourts.gov/). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Arizona are negotiated, typically 2%A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness)Verified May 5, 2026 to 4%A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness)Verified May 5, 2026 of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation runs 2%A.R.S. § 14-3719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 5, 2026 to 4%A.R.S. § 14-3719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 5, 2026 of estate value, based on reasonable pay for time and effort. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Arizona requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly of estate value annually.
Probate in Arizona typically runs 6 monthsA.R.S. §§ 14-3719Verified May 5, 2026 to 9 monthsA.R.S. §§ 14-3719Verified May 5, 2026, and costs accrue throughout. The 4 monthsA.R.S. § 14-3801Verified May 5, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
Legal Sources
- A.R.S. § 12-284, Admin. Order 2024-210
- A.R.S. § 14-3719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- A.R.S. § 14-3801
- A.R.S. §§ 14-3719
- A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness)
Data sourced from Arizona statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Pima County, that means filing fees ($306 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs $306 in Pima County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Arizona uses "reasonable fees" — usually hourly billing or a percentage of the estate. Typical range is 2%–4% of estate value, negotiable based on complexity.
Arizona allows "reasonable" executor compensation, typically 1–5% of estate value depending on complexity. Family executors often waive fees because the fee is taxable income while an inheritance is not.
Yes. Arizona estates under $200,000 can use a small estate affidavit and avoid most probate costs. Check the Arizona self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Pima County probate.
Superior Court
Pima County
110 W. Congress Street, 1st Floor
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone:
520-724-3200Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
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