Maricopa County small estate affidavit: where to take it, fee and local requirements
In Maricopa County, Arizona, a small estate affidavit is never filed with a court — it goes straight to the bank, DMV or employer. The state rule is the same everywhere in Arizona: $100,000, 30-day wait, with or without a will. What the county controls is below.
| Where it goes | Personal property: present to the holder. Real property: Clerk of the Superior Court, Probate, 201 W Jefferson St, Phoenix |
|---|---|
| Fee | $0 personal; ≈ $30 real-property affidavit |
| Local note | Law Library Resource Center packet PBSE1 is free |
| State limit | $100,000 — personal property after 30 days; $300,000 real property after 6 months (verify — the personal-property figure was raised recently) |
| Waiting period | 30 days from death |
| Form | Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property (A.R.S. §14-3971) A.R.S. §14-3971 · official source |
| Signing | Notarized; the Maricopa County Superior Court's free packet includes the affidavit and instructions used statewide |
Check the estate against the Arizona rule
Maricopa County · six questions
Some states file with the county court; others never go to court — the affidavit goes straight to the bank or DMV. The county decides the office and the fee.
Bank accounts, vehicles, final paychecks, personal property. Leave out joint accounts, accounts with a named beneficiary, and life insurance — those pass without probate anyway.
Most states make you wait 10–45 days before the affidavit can be signed or filed.
Your next 60 days
Maricopa County procedure
- Certified death certificates from Arizona vital records or the county registrar — five or more.
- Inventory everything in the person's sole name; stop if the total is over $100,000.
- Wait 30 days — the affidavit cannot be presented earlier.
- Complete the Arizona form — Notarized; the Maricopa County Superior Court's free packet includes the affidavit and instructions used statewide.
- Present it to each holder — $0 personal; ≈ $30 real-property affidavit. Bring a certified death certificate for each.
- Collect, pay debts, distribute — keep every receipt; the affiant is liable up to the amount collected.
What makes Arizona different
Arizona splits the shortcut in two: personal property is collected by handing a notarized affidavit to the holder, while real property has its own affidavit that is filed with the Superior Court and recorded — with a 6-month wait instead of 30 days.
The Maricopa County Law Library Resource Center's packet is accepted by clerks and banks across the state, and it's free; most people never need anything else.
Common questions
Where do I file a small estate affidavit in Maricopa County?
Nowhere — Arizona affidavits are not filed with a court. Personal property: present to the holder. Real property: Clerk of the Superior Court, Probate, 201 W Jefferson St, Phoenix. $0 personal; ≈ $30 real-property affidavit.
How much does a small estate affidavit cost in Maricopa County?
$0 personal; ≈ $30 real-property affidavit. Court forms are free; certified death certificates are $10–$25 each; a notary is $10–$15 per signature.
What is the small estate limit for Maricopa County?
The limit is set by Arizona law, not the county: $100,000 — personal property after 30 days; $300,000 real property after 6 months (verify — the personal-property figure was raised recently).
Does Maricopa County have its own form?
Law Library Resource Center packet PBSE1 is free.
Other Arizona counties: Pima County · Pinal County · Arizona overview