Overview
Greenlee County is located in Arizona with a population of approximately 9,400. The Greenlee County Superior Court handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Arizona probate is governed by Title 14 of the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.). The process begins with filing a Petition for Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative (for testate estates) or a Petition for Adjudication of Intestacy and Appointment of Personal Representative (for intestate estates). The court then issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Small Estate Procedures:
Arizona offers simplified procedures for smaller estates. As of late 2025/2026, you may file a small estate affidavit if:
* Personal Property: The value of all personal property is $200,000 or less (30-day waiting period after death).
* Real Property: The value of real property in Arizona (less liens and encumbrances) is $300,000 or less (6-month waiting period after death).
Fees:
Arizona does not have a statutory percentage fee for attorneys or personal representatives; fees must be "reasonable" based on time and complexity.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Greenlee County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
Greenlee County Superior Court
Probate matters in Greenlee County are handled at the Greenlee County Courthouse.
Address: 223 5th Street, Clifton, AZ 85533
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1296, Clifton, AZ 85533
Phone: (928) 865-3872 (Superior Court)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Clerk of the Superior Court is responsible for maintaining all court files and accepting filings. The court is located in the historic county seat of Clifton.
Parking and Access
Free public parking is generally available on the streets surrounding the courthouse and in designated lots nearby. Visitors must pass through security screening upon entering the building.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Small Estate Affidavit (Personal Property): If the estate's personal property is valued at $200,000 or less, you may be able to collect assets via affidavit 30 days after death.
- Small Estate Affidavit (Real Property): If the equity in Arizona real estate is $300,000 or less, you may file an affidavit for succession to real property 6 months after death.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal probate is needed, file the appropriate Petition for Appointment with the Greenlee County Superior Court. Include:
- Original Will (if applicable)
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Probate Information Cover Sheet
- Filing fee (approximately $266.00)
- List of heirs and devisees
E-Filing: Greenlee County accepts e-filing through eFileAZ and AZTurboCourt.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice of the hearing to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties at least 14 days before the hearing.
- Publish notice to creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in Greenlee County (such as The Copper Era) once a week for three successive weeks.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court will schedule a hearing on the petition. If the petition is uncontested and all paperwork is in order, the hearing may be brief or handled administratively. Upon approval, the judge issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Notify known creditors and allow the 4-month creditor claim period to run.
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 90 days of appointment.
- Pay valid creditor claims and administrative expenses.
- File federal and state tax returns as needed.
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries.
- File a Closing Statement to close the estate.
Local Requirements
Greenlee County-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: Electronic filing is available and encouraged for subsequent filings.
- Payment: The Clerk accepts cash, money orders, cashier's checks, and credit/debit cards (subject to a convenience fee). Personal checks are typically not accepted from the general public.
- Publication: Notice to creditors is typically published in The Copper Era.
- Local Rules: Greenlee County follows the Arizona Rules of Probate Procedure. Always check with the Clerk for any specific local administrative orders.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Greenlee County)
- Petition for Probate: approximately $266.00
- Response/Objection: approximately $231.50
- Certified copies of Letters: approximately $30.00 per certified copy
- Publication costs: approximately $100-$200 depending on the newspaper
- Small Estate Affidavit (Real Property): approximately $266.00
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, money orders, cashier's checks, and credit/debit cards. A convenience fee applies to card payments. Personal checks are generally not accepted.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (informal, no disputes): 6-9 months
- Average estates: 9-12 months
- Complex or contested estates: 12 months to 2+ years
The creditor claim period in Arizona is 4 months from the date of first publication, which sets a minimum duration for most formal probates.
Local Resources
Greenlee County Court Resources
- Court Website: greenlee.az.gov/superior-court-home
- Probate Self-Help: AZCourtHelp.org
- Arizona Probate Forms: AZ Courts Self-Service Center
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- State Bar of Arizona: (602) 252-4804 — azbar.org
- Southern Arizona Legal Aid: (520) 623-9461 — sazlegalaid.org
Publication
- The Copper Era: (928) 428-2560 — Newspaper of general circulation for Greenlee County.