What to Do When Someone Dies in Pima County, Arizona
Probate in Pima County runs through the Superior Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Pima County, settling their estate runs through the Superior Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Paper filing availableE-filing optionalWalk-ins acceptedSelf-filing allowed
Accepted paymentCheck, Money order. Filing fees paid by money order, personal check, or business check made payable to "Clerk of the Court" (personal checks ARE accepted in Pima). Credit/debit cards are not accepted at the filing counter.
Departments
Probate Clerk520-724-3230
Probate Registrar520-724-3247
Probate Accountant520-724-3286
53 judicial officers. Phone 520-724-3200 reaches the Clerk of the Superior Court; the Superior Court general information line is 520-724-4200. Parking at El Presidio Garage (165 W. Alameda), Public Works Garage (50 W. Alameda), or PSC Garage (38 E. Alameda). Parking fee $2-$8. Online fee payments (card) at onlinepayment.sc.pima.gov, separate from the filing counter.
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 Pima County, probate runs through the Superior Court at 110 W. Congress Street, 1st Floor, Tucson.
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. The 4 monthsA.R.S. § 14-3801Verified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What Probate Costs in Pima County
What probate costs in Pima 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 110 W. Congress Street, 1st Floor, Tucson.
Probate matters are handled through Probate Clerk, Probate Registrar, and Probate Accountant. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
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 Sep 8, 2026View source 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 2.2%A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort — the states that do set a schedule pay 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. 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 0.5%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 Pima 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.
Filings here are routed through Probate Clerk, Probate Registrar, and Probate Accountant. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
E-Filing Also Available
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Superior Court is realistic.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Probate case-initiating documents must be filed in paper
Per Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 1-901, electronic filing of case-initiating documents and original wills in probate cases is NOT permitted. Initial petitions must be filed in person at the Probate Clerk (520-724-3230), by mail, or via filing depository. Self-represented litigants may e-file subsequent documents after the case is open using a registered eFileAZ account.
For probate documents submitted by mail, no more than one conformed copy will be returned at no additional cost. Depository boxes are available 24/7 outside the courthouse.
You can file in person without an appointment. Walk-in filing in Civil, Child Support, Probate, and Criminal Services on the 1st floor of 110 W. Congress, Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Filings also accepted by mail or via 24/7 depository boxes outside the building.
Accepted payment
Check, Money order. Filing fees paid by money order, personal check, or business check made payable to "Clerk of the Court" (personal checks ARE accepted in Pima). Credit/debit cards are not accepted at the filing counter.
What to Bring
To file at the Superior Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Transferring Property in Pima 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 Pima County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Gabriella Cazares-Kelly, at 240 N. Stone Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701. Phone: 520-724-4350. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 3145, Tucson, AZ 85702-3145.
The County Recorder charges $30 flat, regardless of page count.
Pima County accepts electronic recording through Pima County self-service Document Recording portal.
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
Pima County · Gabriella Cazares-Kelly
Address
240 N. Stone AvenueTucson, AZ 85701Mailing: PO Box 3145, Tucson, AZ 85702-3145
Arizona allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Pima 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 — typically 2.2%A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%A.R.S. §§ 14-3719, 14-3721 (reasonable compensation; court review of reasonableness)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Pima 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.
Tucson firm serving Pima County and southern Arizona since 1984 from its North Campbell Avenue office. Handles probate and trust administration for personal representatives and trustees, guardianships and conservatorships, and estate planning and elder law. The firm can also serve directly as trustee, guardian, conservator, or personal representative. Initial consultations are free.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more
Founded in Tucson in 1968 and now among Southern Arizona's largest multidisciplinary firms, with a second office in Phoenix. Its estates and trusts group represents clients in contested and uncontested estate and trust administration, including will contests, intestacy matters, and guardianships and conservatorships, and prepares wills and trusts with related tax planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 8 more
Tucson firm on Oracle Road handling probate, estate planning, and probate litigation in Pima County. The firm guides personal representatives through estate administration and handles will contests and disputes among beneficiaries. Offers free consultations.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 7 more
Tucson and Green Valley firm with 60+ years of continuous Southern Arizona practice, successor to Spaid, Fish, Briney & Duffield. Handles estate planning, probate and trust administration, and elder law including VA benefit planning for Pima and Santa Cruz County families, plus gift, estate, and generation-skipping tax work.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 5 more
Green Valley practice on South La Canada Drive serving Pima County and southern Arizona. Handles probate, guardianships and conservatorships for minors and adults, and wills and trusts packages. Se habla espanol.
Tucson elder law firm on East River Road, a fixture in the city since 1994. The practice covers probate, estate and trust administration, guardianship and conservatorship, and special needs planning, and the firm serves as trustee and licensed fiduciary in select cases. Telephone and video conferences are accommodated in place of office meetings; initial consultations carry a fee.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 6 more
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.
Living trust assets, and accounts with a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner. These skip probate; some states charge the court fee only on what remains.
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Probate fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value, or net property after debts. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary significantly by county, attorney, and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
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Pima County Guides
Step-by-step tools for families in Pima County, Arizona.
