How long does probate take in Arizona? For a straightforward informal estate, plan on at least four months, and often longer. Arizona law gives creditors four months after the first published notice to file claims, and a personal representative can't close the estate earlier than four months after appointment. Disputes, court supervision or hard-to-sell assets can stretch it to a year or more.
The good news for families with a house: a personal representative can usually list and sell the home during probate, without waiting for the estate to close. Below is the statutory timeline, the shortcuts and how a probate sale works.
Data note: Timelines and powers are from Arizona Revised Statutes Title 14 (A.R.S. §§ 14-3108, 14-3302, 14-3307, 14-3501, 14-3715, 14-3801, 14-3933 and 14-3971), read on the Arizona Legislature's website November 11, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; an Arizona probate attorney should guide your estate.
Arizona Probate Timeline at a Glance
- Day 5 or later: informal probate or appointment can be granted once at least 120 hours have passed since death (§§ 14-3302, 14-3307)
- At appointment: the personal representative publishes notice to creditors once a week for three weeks (§ 14-3801)
- Four months after first publication: the creditor claim deadline; known creditors get the later of that date or 60 days after mailed notice
- Four months after appointment, at the earliest: the personal representative may file a closing statement (§ 14-3933)
- One year after the closing statement: if nothing is pending, the representative's appointment ends
- Outer limit to start: most probate or appointment proceedings must begin within two years of death, with exceptions (§ 14-3108)
Informal vs. Supervised Probate
Informal probate
It's the less court-intensive route. The registrar, not a judge, issues the appointment, and the personal representative handles the estate with minimal court involvement. Timing is driven mostly by the creditor period, taxes and how quickly assets can be gathered and sold.
Formal and supervised administration
When there's a will contest, unclear heirs or a request for court oversight, the court gets involved. Supervised administration is a single proceeding under the court's continuing authority until it approves distribution and discharges the representative (§ 14-3501). That usually adds time.
What Slows Probate Down
- Family disagreements or a will contest
- Missing heirs or an unclear will
- Creditor disputes or tax filings
- Real estate that needs repairs, clean-out or tenant issues
- Property in more than one state
Selling a House During Probate in Arizona
Can you? Usually yes. Unless the will or a court order says otherwise, § 14-3715 lets a personal representative acquire or dispose of an asset, including land, for cash or on credit, at public or private sale, and sell, mortgage or lease estate property.
How it typically works
- Appointment first. Under § 14-3307, the personal representative's powers are established by appointment, so get appointed before signing a listing or purchase contract.
- Secure and prepare the home. Change locks, keep insurance and utilities active, and clear out personal property.
- Price it on current data. Phoenix REALTORS reports a Maricopa County single-family median of $499,990 in October 2026, but values vary widely by neighborhood.
- List and sell. The representative signs as the seller on behalf of the estate.
- Sale proceeds go to the estate, which pays valid claims and expenses before distribution.
Disclosures still matter. An estate seller may not know the home's history; tell your agent what you do know, and expect your attorney to weigh in on the disclosure forms.
Ways to Skip or Shorten Probate
- Trusts: property in a living trust passes under the trust, not probate. See how to sell a house in a trust in Arizona
- Beneficiary deeds: Arizona allows a deed that transfers at death. See our Arizona beneficiary deed guide
- Survivorship titles: joint tenancy or community property with right of survivorship. See is Arizona a community property state?
- Small estate affidavits (§ 14-3971):
- Real property: after six months, if Arizona real property, less liens, is worth no more than $300,000 (using the assessor's full cash value) and other conditions are met
- Personal property: after 30 days, if personal property, less liens, is worth no more than $200,000
“When a family calls me about a parent's house, the first thing I ask is whether there's a trust, a beneficiary deed or an appointed personal representative, because that tells us who can sign and how soon we can list. Probate doesn't have to freeze the sale. With the right attorney and a clear plan, we can usually get the home prepared and on the market while the estate keeps moving.”
— Elizabeth Vijan, Tackett Team, eXp Realty
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does probate take in Arizona?
At least about four months for a simple informal estate; longer when disputes, supervision or complex assets are involved.
How long does informal probate take in Arizona?
It can start five days after death; the earliest close is four months after appointment.
Can you sell a house during probate in Arizona?
Generally yes. A personal representative can sell estate real property unless the will or a court order restricts it.
Do you have to go through probate in Arizona to sell a house?
Not always: trusts, beneficiary deeds, survivorship titles and small estate affidavits can avoid it.
Need to Sell an Inherited Home?
I'll coordinate with your attorney and personal representative, handle the prep and pricing, and keep the family informed at every step.
Elizabeth Vijan | Tackett Team, eXp Realty
Phoenix & Scottsdale Real Estate
Talk With Elizabeth · Call or text 602-885-7752
Sources: A.R.S. § 14-3108: Ultimate time limit · A.R.S. § 14-3302: Informal probate · A.R.S. § 14-3307: Informal appointment · A.R.S. § 14-3501: Supervised administration · A.R.S. § 14-3715: Personal representative powers · A.R.S. § 14-3801: Notice to creditors · A.R.S. § 14-3933: Closing estates · A.R.S. § 14-3971: Small estate affidavits · Phoenix REALTORS/ShowingTime: Maricopa County October 2026 (PDF)
Disclaimer: Not legal or tax advice. Probate rules have exceptions, and every estate is different; consult an Arizona probate attorney. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Tackett Team, eXp Realty · Get in touch