Maricopa County
Probate Court
In Arizona, estates are probated in the Superior Court (Probate & Mental Health Division). This page gathers where to file in Maricopa County, the state rules that apply, and where every detail comes from.
located via OpenStreetMap
Where to file in Maricopa County
- Handled by
- Superior Court (Probate & Mental Health Division)In Arizona, probate matters are handled by the county Superior Court. Arizona is a Uniform Probate Code (UPC) state providing informal probate, formal probate, and supervised administration.
- Probate office
- Maricopa County Superior Court - Probate and Mental Health Department 201 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85003 (602) 506-3668 Checked on the court's website, Sept 2026 · superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
- County building
- Maricopa County Superior Court Clerk In Phoenix, AZ — street address not tagged in OpenStreetMap. OpenStreetMap · view the map entry
- Phone
- (602) 506-3668court website
- Opening hours
- Not published in an open source. Check the court or county website before you go.
- County website
- recorder.maricopa.govcounty website
- State courts & e-filing
- azcourts.govCase search: Arizona Judicial Branch Public Access to Court Information
How probate runs in Maricopa County
Six stages, with the Arizona rules that set the pace.
- 01
Secure the original will
Find the original signed will and order certified death certificates. Arizona deadline: Must deliver will to court clerk promptly upon death; probate barred after 2 years with limited exceptions.
- 02
Pick the right track
If the probate estate is under $200,000, a small-estate procedure (A.R.S. § 14-3971) may avoid full administration.
- 03
Petition the court
File the petition with the Superior Court (Probate & Mental Health Division) for Maricopa County. The court appoints the executor or administrator and issues letters.
- 04
Inventory the estate
Open an estate bank account (the IRS issues the EIN), list assets at date-of-death values and file the inventory if the court requires it.
- 05
Notify creditors
Publish or send notice to creditors. Window: 4 months after the date of first publication of notice to creditors, or 60 days after direct notice.
- 06
Account and distribute
Pay debts, taxes and fees (A.R.S. § 14-3719), file the final account if required, distribute to heirs and ask to close the estate.
Where to get help.
We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.
- 01 Arizona courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
- 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
- 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
Arizona rules that apply here
Probate law is state law — these apply in all 15 Arizona counties.
- Small estates
- $200,000 personal property (affidavit, 30 days after death) / $300,000 real property equity (separate affidavit, not sooner than 6 months after death); net of liensA.R.S. § 14-3971 · wait 30 days
- Filing the will
- Must deliver will to court clerk promptly upon death; probate barred after 2 years with limited exceptions
- Creditor claims
- 4 months after the date of first publication of notice to creditors, or 60 days after direct noticeA.R.S. § 14-3801 & § 14-3803
- Executor fees
- Reasonable compensation under UPC guidelines; typically 2% - 4% or reasonable hourly rateA.R.S. § 14-3719 · estimate the fee
- Handwritten wills
- Recognized. Arizona recognizes holographic wills whether witnessed or not, provided signature and material provisions are in testator's handwriting (A.R.S. § 14-2503).
- Estate tax
- No state estate tax.Arizona has no state estate tax.
- Inheritance tax
- No.No inheritance tax in Arizona.
- Typical duration
- 5 to 9 monthsA lawyer is not required by statute, though most formal estates use one.
Rules re-checked Sept 2026 against: azleg.gov (statute)