Arizona Last Will and Testament

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Arizona Last Will and Testament

An Arizona last will and testament is a legal document that allows a person to communicate their wishes as to how their property and assets should be distributed after their death. A will also names a personal representative who will apply for probate of the will after the person’s death and manage their estate until its final distribution.

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Last updated December 19th, 2025

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An Arizona last will and testament is a legal document that allows a person to communicate their wishes as to how their property and assets should be distributed after their death. A will also names a personal representative who will apply for probate of the will after the person’s death and manage their estate until its final distribution.

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State Laws

  • Minimum Age – 18[1]
  • Signing Requirements – Testator and two witnesses.[2] For handwritten wills, only the testator’s signature is required.[3]
  • How to Revoke – A will can be canceled by executing a new version or performing a “revocatory act” that includes burning, tearing, or rendering unreadable.[4]

Probate in Arizona

Application for Informal Probate

In Arizona, probate proceedings must be initiated within two years of the testator’s death.[5] The appointed representative must file the decedent’s Last Will and Testament at the Superior Court in the county where they resided and apply for informal or formal probate.

Informal probate – Most commonly used; requires no hearings and little court oversight.

Formal probate – Only necessary when the decedent’s will is contested, or they left no will.

After court requirements have been fulfilled and the estate has been distributed, the representative must complete and file the Closing Statement and Proof of Mailing, which cannot be earlier than four months after they were appointed.[6]

Small Estates

If the estate has less than $200,000 in personal property and $300,000 in real estate, a successor of the decedent can bypass the probate process by filing a Small Estate Affidavit.[7] They must wait 30 days for personal property and 6 months for real property before filing.

Non-Licensed Fiduciary

If the personal representative isn’t a licensed fiduciary, they must undergo the Supreme Court-mandated Personal Representative Training Module.

Only after completing this training may the individual handle the decedent’s estate and, eventually, distribute the assets according to the will.

Sources

    1.  ARS § 14-2501
    2. ARS § 14-2502
    3. ARS § 12-2503
    4. ARS § 14-2507
    5. ARS § 14-3108
    6. ARS § 14-3933
    7. ARS § 14-3971(B)(2)(a), (E)(1)(a)