Arizona Probate Cost: Court Fees and Estate Expenses
Arizona probate court fees are set statewide and do not scale with estate value. The $149 base filing fee applies to informal probate, formal administration, and the real-property affidavit. The personal-property affidavit has no court filing fee. Arizona has no state estate or inheritance tax.
Arizona probate cost planning is simpler than in statutory-percentage states because court filing fees do not scale with estate value. A.R.S. 12-284 and the Arizona Judicial Branch fee schedule set a $149 statewide base fee for applications for informal probate, petitions in formal testacy or appointment proceedings, petitions for supervised administration, and the real-property affidavit of succession filed in Superior Court. County Superior Courts may add local amounts, so confirm the current total with the county before filing.
The personal-property affidavit under A.R.S. 14-3971 (up to $200,000 net of liens) has no court filing fee because it is presented directly to the asset holder and does not open a court case. Personal representative compensation is reasonable compensation under A.R.S. 14-3719, with no fixed statutory percentage, and family members often waive it. Arizona has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax. Publication, certified copies, bond, real estate recording, and professional help add separately to the total.
Quick Summary
The $149 base fee is statewide under A.R.S. 12-284, but each county Superior Court may add local amounts, copy fees, e-filing surcharges, and fee-waiver details. Confirm the current total, payment methods, and filing counter instructions with the county Superior Court before filing.
Probate Cost by Procedure
| Procedure | Estate Size | Court Fee | Timeline | Attorney? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Estate Affidavit — Personal Property (A.R.S. 14-3971) | $200,000 or less in personal property, net of liens and encumbrances | $0 (affidavit presented to the asset holder; no court filing) | 30+ days after death | No | Personal-property estates where the value fits the $200,000 cap and no PR is pending |
| Affidavit of Succession — Real Property (A.R.S. 14-3971) | $300,000 or less in Arizona real property, net of liens and encumbrances | $149 statutory base fee (A.R.S. 12-284); confirm current county total | 6+ months (183+ days) after death | No (often useful for recorder steps) | Estates where the key asset is Arizona real estate valued at $300,000 or less net |
| Informal Probate | No dollar cap; uncontested estates | $149 statutory base fee (A.R.S. 12-284); confirm current county total | May not open until 5 days after death; unsupervised once opened | No (often useful) | Uncontested estates, with or without a will, needing a personal representative |
| Formal / Supervised Administration | No dollar cap; contested or supervised matters | $149 statutory base fee (A.R.S. 12-284); confirm current county total | Several months or longer, including the four-month creditor-claim period | No statewide requirement; strongly recommended | Will contests, unclear heirs, supervised administration, or matters needing a judge |
Additional Costs to Expect
Personal Representative Compensation
Arizona does not use a statutory percentage schedule for personal representative compensation. Under A.R.S. 14-3719, a personal representative is entitled to reasonable compensation for services, judged by the size and complexity of the estate, the time required, and the result. Many family members who serve waive compensation entirely.
Publication and Notice to Creditors
A personal representative publishes notice to creditors once a week for three successive weeks; known creditors receive written notice (A.R.S. 14-3801). The creditor-claim period is four months from first publication. Newspaper rates vary by county and publication outlet.
Certified Copies and Death Records
A.R.S. 12-284 sets a $30 fee for a certified copy or certificate and $0.50 per page for copies. Certified death certificates for banks, transfer agents, and title work carry separate fees from the Arizona Department of Health Services. The number of copies needed depends on the estate assets.
Bond Premium
The court may require a fiduciary bond unless the will waives it or interested persons agree to waive it. Informal appointment often does not require bond. The premium depends on estate value and the surety company.
Inventory, Appraisal, and Recording
A personal representative generally prepares an inventory within 90 days after appointment (A.R.S. 14-3706). Real estate, business interests, or unusual assets may need separate appraisal. County recorder fees apply when recording the certified real-property affidavit or deed transfers.
State Estate and Inheritance Tax
Arizona has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax. The Arizona estate tax was decoupled from the federal estate tax in 2005 and no longer applies. Only the federal estate tax can apply, and that affects only very large estates above the federal exemption. Confirm the current status with a tax professional.
Typical Total Cost Ranges
Source Notes
- Statute / Authority
- A.R.S. Title 14, Chapter 3 (UPC), A.R.S. 12-284, A.R.S. 12-313, and A.R.S. 14-3719
- Fee Source
- Arizona Judicial Branch Superior Court Filing Fees schedule and A.R.S. 12-284 statutory clerk fee rows
- Last Verified
- June 2026
- Notes
- A.R.S. 12-284 and the Arizona Judicial Branch fee schedule set a $149 statewide base fee for informal probate, formal probate, supervised administration, and the real-property affidavit. County adds, local copy fees, and e-filing fees may apply. Arizona has no statutory PR fee percentage and no state estate or inheritance tax. Confirm the current total with the county Superior Court.
Sources
- A.R.S. 12-284 — Superior Court clerk fees (probate rows)Arizona State Legislature (ARS). Current statute text, accessed June 2026.
- A.R.S. 12-313 — Probate, conservatorship, guardianship and fiduciary feesArizona State Legislature (ARS). Current statute text, accessed June 2026.
- Superior Court Filing FeesArizona Judicial Branch. Current fee schedule, accessed June 2026.
- A.R.S. 14-3719 — Compensation of personal representativesArizona State Legislature (ARS). Current statute text, accessed June 2026.
- A.R.S. 14-3971 — Collection of personal property by affidavit; affidavit of succession to real propertyArizona State Legislature (ARS). Current statute text, accessed June 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does probate cost in Arizona?
The statewide base filing fee is $149 under A.R.S. 12-284 for informal probate, formal probate, or supervised administration; county adds may apply. The personal-property affidavit (A.R.S. 14-3971, up to $200,000 net) has no court filing fee. Beyond the filing fee, plan for publication, certified copies, bond, recording, and any professional fees. Arizona has no state estate or inheritance tax.
Does the Arizona probate filing fee depend on estate value?
No. Arizona court filing fees are set by petition type, not by estate value. A.R.S. 12-284 sets the same $149 base fee whether the estate is $50,000 or $5,000,000. County adds may vary, but the core fee does not scale with estate size.
What is the cheapest way to settle an Arizona estate?
For qualifying personal-property estates, the affidavit under A.R.S. 14-3971 (up to $200,000 net of liens) is the lowest-cost path because it has no court filing fee and can be completed at least 30 days after death. For qualifying real-property estates, the affidavit of succession under A.R.S. 14-3971 (up to $300,000 net) requires a court filing but avoids full administration, available six months after death. Larger or contested estates start at informal probate.
How is an Arizona personal representative paid?
Arizona has no statutory percentage. Under A.R.S. 14-3719, a personal representative is entitled to reasonable compensation, judged on the size and complexity of the estate, the time required, and the result obtained. Many family members who serve waive compensation entirely. Do not apply a percentage schedule from another state.
Does Arizona have an estate tax or inheritance tax?
No. Arizona has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax. The Arizona estate tax was decoupled from the federal system in 2005 and no longer applies. Federal estate tax can apply only to very large estates above the federal exemption. Estate income earned during administration may be subject to Arizona income tax, but that is not a death-transfer tax.
Are Arizona probate fees the same in every county?
The $149 statutory base fee under A.R.S. 12-284 is statewide, but each county Superior Court may add local amounts, copy fees, and e-filing surcharges. Confirm the current total with the county Superior Court where you will file.
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