Who fills this out
The person nominated as personal representative in the will is the most common applicant. Any interested person with priority under A.R.S. § 14-3203 may also file. The applicant signs under penalty of perjury that the will is the decedent's last will and that no probate is pending elsewhere.
When to file
File after at least 120 hours (5 days) from the date of death and within 2 years of death under A.R.S. § 14-3108. File in the superior court of the Arizona county where the decedent was domiciled at death.
What you will need
- Original signed will and any codicils.
- Certified death certificate.
- Heir and devisee names, ages, and addresses.
- Estimated value of the estate.
- Statement that no probate is pending in another jurisdiction.
- Filing fee (varies by county; Maricopa is currently $310).
Common mistakes
- Filing the wrong probate. A contested will or unsigned will pushes you into formal probate, not informal.
- Forgetting the bond. The court requires a bond unless the will waives it or all interested parties consent.
- Missing the notice to heirs. Within 30 days of appointment, mail notice of appointment to every heir and devisee.
- Filing before 120 hours. The application is premature if filed in the first 5 days after death.
- Filing without the original will. Copies trigger formal probate, not informal.
Questions families ask
How long does informal probate take in Arizona?
Six months minimum because of the creditor claim window. Most informal estates close in 6-12 months.
Do I need a lawyer to file PBF1F?
Arizona allows pro se filing, but most personal representatives engage a partner attorney to handle creditor claims, tax returns, and the final accounting.
Related forms
Arizona letters testamentary (or letters of administration if no will exists) are the court-issued certificate proving a personal representative has authority to act for the estate. The clerk of the superior court issues them after the informal or formal probate application is approved. Banks, brokerages, and title companies require a certified copy issued within the last 60 days.
AOC PBF13F is the application filed in Arizona superior court to open informal probate when the decedent died without a will. It asks the registrar to appoint a personal representative under intestate priority and issue letters of administration. The court typically issues letters within 7-14 days of filing when the application is clean.