Can You Self-File Probate in Apache County, Arizona?
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. In Apache County, the petition is filed at the Apache County Superior Court, which accepts e-filing.
Yes. Self-filing in Apache County works best for a straightforward estate with a clear will and few beneficiaries, and informal probate is availableA.R.S. § 14-3301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, the simpler track. The estate settlement plan tracks each Apache County filing step alongside the estate's accounts and deadlines.
File at the Superior Court, 70 West 3rd South Street, St. Johns, AZ 85936. Phone: 1-928-337-7550. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
Apache County offers e-filing for probate matters. ACJA § 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.
The Arizona court filing fee is $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, and publication of the creditor notice is a separate cost set by the newspaper. Arizona requires a bond of the personal representative by defaultA.R.S. § 14-3603Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so a bond premium is a cost too unless the will or the heirs waive it. The filing fee is a fraction of what probate costs with counsel: attorney fees are the largest line, and self-filing removes that line while court costs, publication and executor compensation stay the same.
A simple estate in Arizona typically takes 4 months to 6 months. The creditor claim period of 4 monthsA.R.S. § 14-3801Verified Sep 8, 2026View source is the floor: final distribution waits for it to run. Self-filed probate takes the same time as attorney-filed probate; the court's calendar, not the filer, sets the pace.
Self-File Probate Assessment in Nearby Counties
- More Arizona counties: Cochise County (Bisbee)
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Arizona
Free forms for settling an estate in Arizona: probate petition, small estate affidavit, creditor notice and closing forms. Prepare each form for Arizona.
Petition for Probate and Letters
In Arizona, the petition asks the Superior Court to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters of Appointment of Personal Representative; an informal (registrar) track is availableA.R.S. § 14-3301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Notice to Creditors
In Arizona, the notice to creditors is published for 3A.R.S. §§ 14-3801, 14-3803, 14-3804, 14-3805, 14-3806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 4 monthsA.R.S. § 14-3801Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Arizona, a person named as personal representative may renounce the right to serveA.R.S. § 14-3203(C), (E)Verified Sep 22, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Arizona, the Collection of Personal Property by AffidavitA.R.S. § 14-3971Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates with personal property of $200,000A.R.S. § 14-3971Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, 30 daysA.R.S. § 14-3971Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
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.
Estate Closing
In Arizona, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsA.R.S. §§ 14-3933(B), 14-3935Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
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 Much Can an Executor Charge?
Arizona pays executors reasonable compensationA.R.S. § 14-3719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 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 the estate.
How Do I Get Letters Testamentary?
In Arizona, the Registrar issues Letters of Appointment of Personal Representative once the Superior Court appoints the personal representative; an informal (registrar) track is availableA.R.S. § 14-3301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Arizona, creditors have 4 monthsA.R.S. § 14-3801Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Arizona pays the claims in 6A.R.S. § 14-3805Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.
How Do I Claim a Deceased Person's Unclaimed Property?
In Arizona, a deceased owner's unclaimed property is claimed from the Arizona Department of Revenue, Unclaimed Property UnitA.R.S. Title 44, Chapter 3 (Revised Arizona Unclaimed Property Act); §§ 44-301 et seq., 44-317Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. An heir files a notarized Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property (ADOR 10695) with the decedent's death certificate attachedEvidence: Owner Who Is Deceased (Arizona Department of Revenue, Unclaimed Property)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
What Social Security Survivor Benefits Can I Get?
Which Social Security survivor benefit a spouse, former spouse, child or parent can get, what share it pays, and the lump-sum death payment.
What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?
In Arizona, the personal representative lists the estate's personal property at its fair market value as of the date of deathA.R.S. §§ 14-3706, 14-3707, 14-3708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, on the inventory filed within 90 daysA.R.S. §§ 14-3706, 14-3707, 14-3708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of the appointment.
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Arizona Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Arizona probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.