Probate cost · Arizona
Probate cost in Arizona
What every fee is, who sets it, and what a typical estate actually pays end to end.
Probate in Arizona costs about $23,385 to $36,255 for a $500,000 estate. The Superior Court charges $305 to open the case. Executor and attorney fees are the largest line items, set under § 14-3971. Publication, bond, and appraisal add $580-$3,450.
Fee breakdown
Every probate cost in Arizona, itemized. Amounts vary by county and by estate complexity.
| Court filing fee | $305 | Superior Court filing fee for formal probate. Informal probate is ~$205. |
|---|---|---|
| Publication of notice | $80 - $250 | Newspaper notice to creditors, required in most counties. |
| Executor bond | $200 - $2,000 | Often waived by the will. When required, premium is ~0.5% of the estate value. |
| Appraisal | $300 - $1,200 | For real estate, business interests, or unique personal property. |
| Executor fee | $12,500 on $500k | §14-3719: reasonable compensation. Most informal estates run 2-3% of the probate estate. |
| Attorney fee | $10,000 - $20,000 on $500k | Attorney fees are reasonable, typically 2-4% for informal probate. |
Total by estate size
Estimated total probate cost in Arizona across three common estate sizes. Uses statutory fees where Arizona has them, market ranges where it doesn't.
| $200,000 estate | $9,885 - $16,755 |
|---|---|
| $500,000 estate | $23,385 - $36,255 |
| $1,000,000 estate | $45,885 - $68,755 |
Ranges assume an uncontested estate with one parcel of real property. Contested estates, out-of-state assets, and businesses add cost.
How to reduce probate cost in Arizona
- If the estate is under $75,000, use a small estate affidavit instead of full probate.
- Convert accounts to payable-on-death and beneficiary designations before death. Those assets bypass probate entirely.
- Use a revocable living trust for real estate to avoid the Superior Court probate process.
- Ask the will to waive bond. That saves the $200-$2,000 premium.
- For clean, uncontested estates, use a cost calculator first so you know what to expect before hiring counsel.
Common questions
How much does probate cost in Arizona?
Total probate cost in Arizona for a $500,000 estate typically runs $23,385 to $36,255. A $200,000 estate costs about $9,885-$16,755, a $1M estate $45,885-$68,755. Court filing alone is $305.
Who pays probate fees in Arizona?
The estate pays every probate cost from estate assets before heirs receive anything. Executor and attorney fees, the Superior Court filing fee, publication, and bond premiums all come out of the estate under § 14-3971.
Can I reduce probate cost?
Yes. Using the small estate affidavit skips full probate when the estate is under the state threshold ($75,000 in Arizona). Beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and living trusts also keep assets out of probate entirely.
What is the executor fee in Arizona?
§14-3719: reasonable compensation. Most informal estates run 2-3% of the probate estate.
How long does it take to pay these fees?
Filing and publication are paid at filing. Executor and attorney fees are approved by the Superior Court at the end, typically 12 months after opening the estate.
Where in Arizona
In Arizona, probate fees are paid at the Superior Court in the county where your relative lived at death. These three counties handle the largest caseload.
- County seat
Maricopa County
Superior Court - courthouse in Phoenix
- County seat
Pima County
Superior Court - courthouse in Tucson
- County seat
Pinal County
Superior Court - courthouse in Florence
Every Arizona county has its own Superior Court clerk. Filing fees and processing time vary by county.
Other tasks in Arizona
Related: Probate in Arizona · Cost calculator · Probate timeline