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Pausing Arizona Lawsuit Deadlines for Minors and People of Unsound Mind

If the person who could sue is under eighteen or of unsound mind when the cause of action arises, the Arizona statute of limitations does not run until the disability ends. The clock pauses until the minor turns eighteen or the adult regains capacity. This protects children and incapacitated adults from losing claims they could not pursue.

Why Arizona Disability Tolling Does Not Stack or Restart

Once the Arizona statute of limitations starts to run, a later disability does not stop it. And one disability cannot be tacked onto another to keep the clock paused longer. This rule limits how long tolling can preserve a claim, and it surprises families who assume any incapacity stops the deadline.

Arizona's Six-Month Saving Statute: Refiling After Non-Merits Dismissal

If your Arizona lawsuit is filed on time but later terminated for reasons other than the merits, voluntary dismissal, or lack of prosecution, you usually have six months to refile, even if the original deadline has run. The saving statute rescues valid claims from technical dismissals.

How Changes in Arizona's Limitations Law Affect Existing Claims

When Arizona changes a statute of limitations, this section sets the transition rules. A barred claim is not revived by a later enlargement, and a still-live claim is governed by the amended period. A shortened period that would already have run gets a reasonable transition window.

How an Out-of-State Limitations Bar Follows a Debtor to Arizona

When a person moves to Arizona from another state, claims that were already time-barred in the prior state cannot be revived here. The protection follows the debtor, and Arizona will not enforce a claim that the prior state had already retired.

Arizona's One-Year Grace Period for Claims Against Newly Arrived Debtors

When a debtor moves to Arizona, claims that were still alive in the prior state get a one-year grace period before they can be barred here. The rule protects creditors who could not realistically pursue a debtor who relocated, while still respecting limitations that had already expired elsewhere.

Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property (Arizona Small Estate Affidavit)

The Arizona small estate affidavit (AOC PBSEA1F) lets a successor collect a decedent's personal property without opening probate when the personal property value is $75,000 or less. The successor signs the affidavit 30 days after death, attaches a certified death certificate, and presents it directly to the bank or institution holding the asset.

Arizona Administrative Office of the Courts

Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property (Arizona Small Estate Affidavit)

Arizona's small estate affidavit for real property (AOC PBSEA2F) transfers a decedent's home to heirs without full probate when the net equity is $100,000 or less. The successor waits six months after death, then files the affidavit in the superior court of the county where the property sits, attaches a certified death certificate, and records the court-certified copy with the county recorder.

Arizona Administrative Office of the Courts

Application for Employer Identification Number (Estate or Trust EIN)

IRS Form SS-4 applies for an Employer Identification Number for an estate, an irrevocable trust, or a revocable trust that became irrevocable at the grantor's death. The personal representative or trustee applies online at IRS.gov and receives the EIN immediately. Every Arizona estate and most post-death trusts need one before opening an estate bank account or filing Form 1041.

Internal Revenue Service

Application for Informal Appointment of Personal Representative (Intestate)

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.

Arizona Administrative Office of the Courts

Application for Informal Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative

AOC PBF1F is the application a person nominated in an Arizona will files in superior court to open informal probate. It asks the registrar to admit the will and issue letters testamentary so the personal representative can settle the estate. Most applications are processed without a hearing within 7-14 days of filing.

Arizona Administrative Office of the Courts

Arizona Beneficiary Deed

An Arizona beneficiary deed transfers real estate to a named beneficiary at the owner's death without probate, under A.R.S. § 33-405. The owner signs and notarizes the deed during life, then records it with the county recorder where the property sits. Title passes automatically at death once the beneficiary records a certified death certificate.

Arizona County Recorders (statutory form, A.R.S. § 33-405)