How Do I Get Appointed as Executor in Arizona?
See the appointing court, the petition that opens the estate, what to file, and bond rules to be appointed in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arizona has no single statewide fill-in petition; the opening document is prepared to statute and filed with the Superior Court. The Registrar issues Letters of Appointment of Personal Representative after the court grants the petition.
Along with the petition, Arizona generally requires: 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); Notice of Application to anyone who has demanded notice and to any personal representative whose appointment has not been terminated (A.R.S. § 14-3306(A); Maricopa PBIP14f Notice of Application + PBIP15f Proof of Mailing). No other notice is required before the Registrar issues the Statement of Informal Appointment; within 30 days after it issues, written information and a copy of the will go to all heirs and devisees (§ 14-3306(B); Maricopa PBIP18f); Acceptance of Appointment as Personal Representative (combined with Letters on Maricopa PBIP17f); Declaration of Completion of Personal Representative Training — STATEWIDE, not a county option: a proposed PR who is neither a licensed fiduciary nor a financial institution must complete Supreme Court-approved training and file a Certificate of Completion before the clerk issues Letters (Ariz. R. Prob. P. 38; AOC notice AOCPBT10I / Maricopa PBT10i; Maricopa Declaration of Completion is PBDT10f); Bond unless waived by will or by all heirs/devisees (A.R.S. § 14-3603; Maricopa Waiver of Bond PBIP12f).
Yes. Arizona requires a bond by default before Letters issue. A will can waive it. Beneficiaries can also waive it in writing.
Arizona permits self-represented filers to open an estate. E-filing is available to self-represented filers. The Self-File Probate Assessment compares self-filing and attorney costs for Arizona.
Yes. A revocable living trust passes assets to beneficiaries without any court appointment in Arizona — no petition, no Letters, no bond. A revocable trust built with SimplyTrust takes about 15 minutes.
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