Arizona Probate Inventory Form Instructions and Filing Guide

When someone passes away in Arizona and leaves behind assets a home, bank accounts, vehicles, personal property the court needs an accurate record of everything in the estate. That's where the probate inventory form comes in. If you've been appointed as a personal representative (executor) and you're staring at the form wondering what goes where, you're not alone. The Arizona probate inventory form instructions can feel confusing at first, especially when you're already dealing with the emotional weight of losing someone. This article walks you through exactly how to fill out the form, what each section requires, and how to avoid the mistakes that slow down probate proceedings.

What is the Arizona probate inventory form?

The Arizona probate inventory is a court-required document that lists every asset the deceased person owned at the time of death. Filed under A.R.S. § 14-3706, this form is part of the formal probate process and gives the court and interested parties a clear picture of the estate's value. It typically includes real property, financial accounts, vehicles, personal belongings, business interests, and any debts owed to the deceased.

The form itself is provided by the Superior Court in the county where the probate case is filed. Maricopa County, Pima County, and other Arizona counties may have slight formatting differences, but the information requested is essentially the same. You can download the Arizona estate inventory form directly to get started.

Who has to file it and when is it due?

If you've been appointed as the personal representative of an Arizona estate, filing the inventory is one of your legal duties. Under Arizona probate law, you must file the inventory within 90 days of your appointment by the court. This isn't optional failing to file can result in court sanctions or removal from your role.

The timeline usually works like this:

You're appointed personal representative by the probate court.
You have 90 days from that date to prepare and file the inventory.
A copy must be sent to all interested parties, including beneficiaries and heirs.
The inventory is filed with the court clerk in the county handling the probate.

If you need more time, you can request an extension from the court, but you should do so before the deadline passes.

What information do you need to fill out the form?

Before you sit down to complete the inventory, gather as much documentation as possible. Here's what you'll typically need:

Property deeds and recent tax assessments for real estate
Bank statements and financial account information (checking, savings, CDs, money market)
Investment account statements (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, retirement accounts)
Vehicle titles and registration documents
Insurance policies with cash surrender value
Business ownership documents (LLC operating agreements, partnership interests, stock certificates)
Personal property details (jewelry, collectibles, furniture, firearms, electronics)
Outstanding debts owed to the deceased (personal loans made to others)

You're listing assets as of the date of death, not the current date. Values should reflect fair market value at that time. For real estate, a recent comparable sale or tax assessment can help. For financial accounts, use the statement closest to the date of death.

How do you fill out each section of the inventory?

Real property

List every piece of real estate the person owned in Arizona or elsewhere. Include the property address, a brief legal description if available, the county where it's located, and the estimated fair market value at the date of death. Don't forget to note whether the property is held in joint tenancy, community property, or as separate property this affects whether it even belongs to the probate estate.

Personal property and tangible assets

This section covers everything physical furniture, vehicles, jewelry, art, electronics, tools, and household items. You don't need to list every coffee mug. Group items into logical categories and provide reasonable value estimates. A sample estate inventory list for Arizona can help you see how others have organized similar items.

Financial accounts and investments

Include bank accounts, brokerage accounts, retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s), and any other financial holdings. List the institution name, account type, account number (last four digits are usually sufficient), and the balance as of the date of death. Note any beneficiary designations accounts with a named beneficiary typically pass outside probate and may not need to be included.

Debts owed to the estate

If the deceased person had loaned money to someone and that loan was still outstanding, it's an asset of the estate. List the borrower's name, original loan amount, any payments made, and the remaining balance.

Life insurance and death benefits

Life insurance policies payable to the estate (not to a named beneficiary) should be listed here. Same goes for any death benefits, unpaid wages, or tax refunds owed to the deceased.

What value should you assign to each asset?

Arizona requires fair market value the price the asset would sell for between a willing buyer and a willing seller on the date of death. This is not the original purchase price, not the replacement cost, and not the insurance value.

Practical approaches for common assets:

Real estate: Use a comparative market analysis, recent appraisal, or county tax assessed value as a starting point.
Vehicles: Check NADA Guides or Kelley Blue Book for the value on the date of death.
Financial accounts: Use the balance on the most recent statement before or on the date of death.
Household items: Estimate what items would sell for at a garage sale or estate sale not what they cost new.
Jewelry and collectibles: Consider getting a professional appraisal for items of significant value.

You don't need professional appraisals for every item, but for high-value assets, an appraisal protects you from liability later.

Common mistakes personal representatives make

Having helped many Arizona residents understand their probate obligations, here are the errors that come up most often:

Forgetting to include assets. It's easy to overlook a small bank account, a safe deposit box, or personal items stored somewhere other than the home. Do a thorough search.
Listing assets that aren't part of the probate estate. Assets with beneficiary designations (life insurance, retirement accounts, POD accounts) or jointly held property with rights of survivorship typically bypass probate entirely.
Using incorrect values. Listing the purchase price of a home bought 20 years ago isn't helpful. The court needs fair market value at the date of death.
Missing the 90-day deadline. This one is avoidable. Mark the date on your calendar as soon as you're appointed.
Not sending copies to beneficiaries. Arizona law requires you to provide copies of the inventory to all interested parties. Skipping this step can create legal problems.
Mixing up estate assets with personal assets. As personal representative, keep a clear separation between your own finances and the estate's. This is part of your broader executor accounting requirements in Arizona.

Do I need to file an accounting along with the inventory?

The inventory and the accounting are two separate filings, though they're related. The inventory lists what the estate owns at the start of probate. The accounting (also called the "final account") reports what happened to those assets income received, expenses paid, and distributions made to beneficiaries.

Arizona requires the personal representative to file an accounting before the estate can be closed. If you're looking for help organizing the numbers, free estate accounting templates for Arizona can simplify the process considerably.

Can I get help filling out the form?

Yes. While the form is designed to be completed by the personal representative, probate can get complicated especially when estates include real property in multiple states, business interests, or disputed assets.

Options for help include:

Probate attorneys: An attorney can prepare the inventory for you or review what you've completed. Fees vary, but many offer flat-rate probate services in Arizona.
Paralegal services: Some paralegals specialize in probate paperwork at lower cost than a full attorney.
Court self-help centers: Arizona Superior Courts in some counties have self-help centers that provide guidance on forms and procedures.
Online resources: You can review detailed instructions for the Arizona probate inventory form before you start filling it out.

What happens after you file the inventory?

Once the inventory is filed with the court and copies are distributed to interested parties, the probate process continues. Beneficiaries have the right to object to the inventory if they believe assets are missing or values are wrong. If no objections are raised, the inventory stands as filed.

From there, the personal representative's focus shifts to paying valid debts, managing estate assets, and eventually distributing property to the rightful beneficiaries according to the will or Arizona intestate succession laws.

Quick checklist before you file

You've been formally appointed as personal representative by the court.
You've searched for all assets, including forgotten accounts, safe deposit boxes, and digital assets.
You've determined which assets belong to the probate estate versus those passing outside probate.
You've gathered supporting documents (deeds, statements, titles, appraisals).
You've assigned fair market value using the date of death not today's value.
You've double-checked that debts owed to the deceased are included.
You've reviewed the form for completeness and accuracy before filing.
You've made copies for all interested parties as required by Arizona law.
You've filed the inventory with the court clerk within the 90-day window.
You've kept a copy for your own records.

One practical next step: If you haven't already, download the official form and start listing assets today even if it's rough. It's far easier to refine an incomplete list than to start from scratch when the deadline is approaching. Procrastination is the single biggest risk in this process, and an organized start now saves you stress later.