Can You Self-File Probate in Maricopa County, Arizona?
Find out if you can handle probate yourself, see estimated cost savings vs. hiring an attorney, and get a step-by-step filing checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — Maricopa County runs a self-help center for self-filers. Informal probate is also available and is simpler to file. It works best for straightforward estates. The estate settlement plan tracks each Maricopa County filing step alongside the estate's accounts and deadlines.
File at the Superior Court, 201 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Phone: 602-506-3668. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Maricopa County offers e-filing for probate matters. Per ACJA § 1-901, e-filing NOT permitted for case-initiating probate documents. Subsequent filings may be e-filed after case is open.
Maricopa County runs a self-help center at Law Library Resource Center (LLRC), 101 W. Jefferson, Phoenix. Phone: 602-732-2834.
Yes, Arizona offers informal probate procedures that are designed to be manageable without attorney representation.A.R.S. §§ 14-3719 (PR compensation — "reasonable compensation"; no statutory percentage), 14-3721 (court review of compensation of agents/attorneys employed by PR), 14-3971 (small estate affidavit; HB 2116 / Ch. 24, Laws 2025, 57th Leg. 1st Reg. Sess., eff. Sept. 26, 2025: personal property $200K per subsec. B, real property $300K per subsec. E; 30-day wait personal property, 6-month wait real property), 14-3603 (bond required by default; 4 exceptions: will waiver, all-heir/devisee written waiver, institutional-PR, surviving-spouse small estate; court may impose bond even after waiver per subsec. B), 14-3801 (notice to creditors: publish once/week 3 successive weeks; 4-month claim bar from first publication; mailed-notice creditors: later of 4 months or 60 days from mailing), 14-3803 (nonclaim deadlines), 14-3301 (informal probate — who may apply), 14-3715 (independent administration — PR powers without court order); azleg.gov announcements (57th Leg. 1st Reg. Sess. adjourned June 27, 2025; General Effective Date Sept. 26, 2025)Verified Sep 8, 2026 The process is most straightforward for simple estates with clear wills and cooperative beneficiaries.
Court filing fees in Arizona vary by county.A.R.S. §§ 14-3719 (PR compensation — "reasonable compensation"; no statutory percentage), 14-3721 (court review of compensation of agents/attorneys employed by PR), 14-3971 (small estate affidavit; HB 2116 / Ch. 24, Laws 2025, 57th Leg. 1st Reg. Sess., eff. Sept. 26, 2025: personal property $200K per subsec. B, real property $300K per subsec. E; 30-day wait personal property, 6-month wait real property), 14-3603 (bond required by default; 4 exceptions: will waiver, all-heir/devisee written waiver, institutional-PR, surviving-spouse small estate; court may impose bond even after waiver per subsec. B), 14-3801 (notice to creditors: publish once/week 3 successive weeks; 4-month claim bar from first publication; mailed-notice creditors: later of 4 months or 60 days from mailing), 14-3803 (nonclaim deadlines), 14-3301 (informal probate — who may apply), 14-3715 (independent administration — PR powers without court order); azleg.gov announcements (57th Leg. 1st Reg. Sess. adjourned June 27, 2025; General Effective Date Sept. 26, 2025)Verified Sep 8, 2026 Self-filing costs typically include the court petition fee, publication costs, and bond premiums. The filing fee is a fraction of total probate costs. See a full breakdown with the Arizona probate calculator.
Sources
Data sourced from Superior Court primary sources (7 pages reviewed). How we research.
Self-File Probate Assessment in Nearby Counties
- More Arizona counties: La Paz County (Parker) · Mohave County (Kingman)
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