Overview
Maricopa County is located in Arizona with a population of approximately 4,673,096. The Maricopa 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 to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters Testamentary for testate estates or Letters of Administration for intestate estates.
Arizona offers simplified procedures for smaller estates. As of late 2025, the small estate affidavit thresholds have increased significantly: $300,000 for real property and $200,000 for personal property.
Arizona does not have a statutory fee schedule for attorneys or personal representatives based on a percentage of the estate. Instead, fees must be "reasonable" based on the time and effort required.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Maricopa 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
Maricopa County Superior Court
Probate matters in Maricopa County are handled at the Central Court Building (Probate Department).
Address: 201 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 506-3204 (Probate Information)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Probate Department oversees cases involving decedents' estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. Filings can also be made at the Southeast, Northwest, and Northeast Regional Court Centers.
Parking and Access
Paid parking is available at nearby garages, including the City of Phoenix Parking Garage (300 W. Jefferson St.), CityScape, and Luhrs City Center. Metered street parking is also available but limited. Public transit is accessible via the Valley Metro Light Rail (Jefferson St/1st Ave or 3rd St/Jefferson stations).
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Small Estate Affidavit (Real Property): For real estate valued at $300,000 or less (less liens/encumbrances). Must wait 6 months after death.
- Small Estate Affidavit (Personal Property): For personal property valued at $200,000 or less. Must wait 30 days 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 a Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative with the Maricopa County Superior Court. Include:
- Original Last Will and Testament (if applicable)
- Certified death certificate
- Probate Information Cover Sheet
- Filing fee (approximately $306)
- List of heirs and devisees
Case initiating documents are typically filed in person or by mail. Subsequent documents may be e-filed.
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 in a newspaper of general circulation in Maricopa County (e.g., Arizona Capitol Times or Record Reporter) once a week for three successive weeks to alert creditors.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court will schedule a hearing on the petition. For informal probate (uncontested), a hearing may not be required before a registrar. For formal probate, a hearing is held where the judge reviews the petition and, if approved, issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Notify creditors (creditors have 4 months from first publication to file claims)
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 90 days of appointment
- Pay valid creditor claims and estate expenses
- File federal and state tax returns as needed
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
- File a Closing Statement to close the estate
Local Requirements
Maricopa County-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: Mandatory for attorneys for subsequent filings; available for self-represented litigants. Initiating documents are generally filed in paper form.
- Training Requirement: Non-licensed fiduciaries (e.g., family members) appointed as Personal Representatives must complete a court-approved training module.
- Publication: Notice to creditors must be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the county, such as the Arizona Capitol Times or Record Reporter.
The Maricopa County Superior Court offers a comprehensive Self-Service Center with packets and forms for both informal and formal probate.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Maricopa County)
- Petition for Appointment/Probate: approximately $306
- Response/Answer: approximately $217
- Certified copies of Letters: $30.00 filing fee + $35.00 certification + $0.50 per page
- Publication costs: approximately $100-$300 depending on the newspaper
- Probate Investigator Fee: $400 (if applicable in guardianship/conservatorship)
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover). A transaction fee applies to card payments.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (Informal Probate): 6-9 months
- Average estates: 9-18 months
- Complex or contested estates: 18 months to 2+ years
The creditor claim period is 4 months from the date of the first publication of notice, which sets a minimum timeline for closing the estate.
Local Resources
Maricopa County Court Resources
- Court Website: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
- Probate Self-Help: Self-Service Center
- Arizona Probate Forms: azcourts.gov
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Maricopa County Bar Association: (602) 257-4434 — Lawyer Referral Service
- Community Legal Services: (602) 258-3434 — Legal aid for low-income residents
- State Bar of Arizona: azbar.org
Publication
- Arizona Capitol Times: (602) 258-7026 — Common for legal notices
- Record Reporter: (602) 417-9900 — Newspaper of general circulation