How Long Is Probate In Arizona?
Brad: In Arizona, what is the average and worst-case probate scenario duration?
Elizabeth:
Importance of Document Organization and Communication
In the best-case scenario, a person has kept up with their taxes and organized their documents. While I don’t need a complete list of all assets and their locations, it’s essential to have some documents accessible. It’s crucial for your children or loved ones to know what your estate consists of, whether that’s property, bank accounts, or investments.
Realistic Timelines
I typically prepare my clients for a process that will take at least a year, with most cases taking between 18 months to two years. This timeline is necessary because, in Arizona, we must follow a specific order of operations. The most time-consuming aspect often involves resolving issues with creditors. If there is a business involved, it may take even longer.
Challenges in Trust Administration
Additionally, when handling tax matters for a loved one—especially if family members haven’t been attentive—we often find that taxes have not been filed for several years. In such cases, it can be time-consuming to gather and review all necessary documents, organize them, and complete everything before final distributions can occur.
For a straightforward trust administration, if someone has kept their affairs in order, filed taxes promptly, and organized their documents properly, we might not even need to go through probate. In an ideal situation, this process could take about six to nine months. However, most cases I encounter do not fit this ideal scenario, and I rarely see clients who can meet this timeline.