Arizona Estate Inventory Form

When someone passes away and leaves behind property, bank accounts, or personal belongings in Arizona, someone has to account for all of it. That's where the estate inventory form comes in. If you've been named as a personal representative or executor, you're legally required to file this document with the probate court. Getting the right form and filling it out correctly is one of the first things you need to do during the probate process. This page helps you understand what the form is, how to get it, and how to avoid the mistakes that slow things down.

What is the Arizona estate inventory form?

The Arizona estate inventory form is a legal document used during probate to list every asset owned by the deceased person at the time of their death. This includes real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, investment accounts, personal property, business interests, and any money owed to the estate. The form is filed with the Arizona Superior Court in the county where the probate case is open.

Arizona law requires the personal representative to file this inventory within 90 days of being appointed. Each asset must be listed with a fair market value as of the date of death. You can find a complete breakdown of what to include in our sample estate inventory list for reference.

Why do I need to file an estate inventory in Arizona?

Filing the inventory isn't optional. Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 14-3706, the personal representative must prepare and file an inventory of all estate assets. The court uses this document to verify that the estate is being managed properly and that beneficiaries receive what they're entitled to.

Without a filed inventory, the probate case can stall. Credititors, beneficiaries, and the court itself rely on this form to understand the full picture of the estate. If you skip this step or file it late, you could face court sanctions or be removed as the personal representative.

Where can I download the Arizona estate inventory form?

You can download the official Arizona estate inventory form directly from our page. We provide a fillable PDF version that meets Arizona court requirements. If you need additional templates for accounting and final distributions, our free estate accounting templates cover the full range of documents you may need throughout the probate process.

Some Arizona counties also provide their own versions on their Superior Court websites. However, the form we offer is designed to work statewide and follows the format accepted across all Arizona jurisdictions.

What information goes on the estate inventory form?

Every asset the deceased person owned or had an interest in needs to be listed. Here's what you'll typically need to include:

Real property homes, land, and any real estate held in the decedent's name, along with the address and estimated fair market value
Bank accounts checking, savings, CDs, and money market accounts with institution names and balances
Vehicles and titled property cars, boats, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles with VINs and values
Investments stocks, bonds, mutual funds, retirement accounts, and brokerage accounts
Personal property jewelry, furniture, art, electronics, collectibles, and household items of significant value
Business interests ownership in LLCs, partnerships, sole proprietorships, or closely held corporations
Money owed to the estate outstanding loans, tax refunds, or pending insurance payouts

For step-by-step help with each section, see our Arizona probate inventory form instructions.

How do I determine the value of estate assets?

Arizona requires assets to be listed at fair market value on the date of death not the purchase price, not the replacement cost, and not what the asset might sell for six months later. Fair market value means what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an open market.

For some assets, this is straightforward. A bank account balance is what it is. For others, you may need professional help:

Real estate Get a formal appraisal or use recent comparable sales
Vehicles Use Kelley Blue Book or NADA guides for the date-of-death value
Jewelry, art, or collectibles Hire a licensed appraiser, especially for items worth over $1,000
Business interests A business valuation may be necessary for companies with significant value

If you underestimate or overestimate values, it can cause problems with beneficiaries, creditors, or the court. When in doubt, hire a professional appraiser and keep the appraisal report with your probate records.

What are common mistakes people make with the estate inventory?

The most frequent errors we see in filed inventories include:

Missing assets Forgetting about small bank accounts, safe deposit boxes, or digital assets like cryptocurrency
Wrong valuation dates Using current values instead of date-of-death values
Listing jointly held property incorrectly Property held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship typically passes outside probate and may not belong on the inventory
Forgetting debts owed to the estate If someone owed the decedent money, that's an asset
Filing late The 90-day deadline comes faster than most people expect

Many of these mistakes happen because personal representatives don't know they also need to file a detailed accounting later. Understanding the full executor accounting requirements in Arizona from the start helps you avoid having to redo work later.

Can I fill out the form myself, or do I need a lawyer?

Many personal representatives handle the inventory themselves, especially for straightforward estates with a few bank accounts, a home, and some personal property. If the estate is simple and you're organized, you can download the form, gather the documents, and fill it out on your own.

You should consider hiring a probate attorney if:

The estate includes a business or multiple properties
There are disputes among beneficiaries about asset values
The estate may be insolvent (debts exceed assets)
You're unsure whether certain assets belong in the probate estate
The decedent had a trust alongside a will

A lawyer can also review your completed inventory before you file it, which can save time if the court flags issues.

How long do I have to file the inventory?

Arizona gives personal representatives 90 days from the date of their appointment to file the inventory with the court. If you need more time, you can file a motion for an extension, but the court doesn't grant these automatically. You'll need a valid reason like waiting on a property appraisal that's already been ordered.

Missing the deadline without requesting an extension puts you at risk. A beneficiary or creditor can petition the court to compel you to file, or the court may replace you with another personal representative.

What happens after I file the estate inventory?

Once the inventory is filed, the probate process moves forward. The court and interested parties can review the listed assets. If anyone disagrees with the values or believes assets are missing, they can file an objection.

After the inventory, the personal representative's next major responsibility is accounting for all income, expenses, and distributions from the estate. This is where accounting templates become essential they help you track everything the court will expect to see when the case closes.

Quick checklist before you file

☐ Gather statements for every bank account, investment, and retirement account
☐ Get date-of-death values for real property and vehicles
☐ Check for safe deposit boxes and digital assets
☐ Verify whether jointly held property should be included
☐ Download the estate inventory form and review the instructions
☐ Note all debts owed to the estate
☐ Calculate your 90-day filing deadline from your appointment date
☐ Make copies one for the court, one for your records, and one for your attorney if you have one

Next step: Download the Arizona estate inventory form now, then review the detailed form instructions so you know exactly how to complete each section before your deadline arrives.