Arizona Probate Inventory and Appraisal Form by County

When someone passes away in Arizona and leaves behind property, bank accounts, vehicles, or other assets, the court needs a clear record of everything the estate owns and what it's worth. That's where the Arizona probate inventory and appraisal form comes in. If you've been appointed as a personal representative (also called an executor), you're legally required to complete this document. Getting your hands on a printable Arizona probate inventory and appraisal form PDF is often the first practical step toward meeting that obligation without unnecessary delays.

What Exactly Is the Arizona Probate Inventory and Appraisal Form?

This form is a court document that lists every asset belonging to the decedent's estate along with its fair market value at the time of death. It covers real estate, bank accounts, retirement funds, vehicles, personal belongings, business interests, and anything else the deceased person owned or had a legal interest in. The appraisal portion requires you to assign a dollar value to each item or category of assets.

In Arizona, this is governed by A.R.S. § 14-3706, which states that a personal representative must prepare an inventory of property owned by the decedent as of the date of death. The form is then filed with the probate court in the county where the estate is being administered.

When Does Arizona Law Require You to File This Form?

Under Arizona probate statutes, the personal representative must file the inventory and appraisal within 90 days of being appointed. This deadline applies whether the estate is formal (supervised by the court) or informal (handled with less court oversight). Missing this deadline can result in court orders, penalties, or even removal of the personal representative.

There are some exceptions. If the estate qualifies for simplified procedures such as those available for small estates under Arizona law you may not need to file a full inventory. You can read more about filing steps for small estates in Arizona to see if simplified options apply to your situation.

Where Can You Download a Printable PDF Version?

Most Arizona superior courts provide printable probate forms on their websites. Maricopa County and Pima County, the two largest jurisdictions, maintain form libraries that include the inventory and appraisal document. You can also access a version through our printable Arizona probate inventory and appraisal form page, which breaks down county-specific filing requirements alongside the form.

When downloading any probate form as a PDF, make sure you're using the most current version accepted by your county's probate court. Older versions may have outdated formatting or missing fields that could cause the court clerk to reject your filing.

What Information Do You Need to Fill Out the Form?

The inventory and appraisal form typically requires you to provide details in several categories:

Real property addresses, legal descriptions, and fair market value of any homes, land, or commercial property
Financial accounts bank accounts, brokerage accounts, CDs, and their balances as of the date of death
Personal property vehicles, jewelry, art, furniture, electronics, and other tangible items with estimated values
Business interests ownership stakes in LLCs, partnerships, or sole proprietorships
Life insurance and retirement accounts only if the estate is the named beneficiary
Debts owed to the deceased promissory notes, loans to others, or outstanding settlements

Each asset needs to be valued at its fair market value on the date of death, not what was originally paid for it. For real estate, you might use a professional appraisal. For bank accounts, the account balance on the date of death works. For household items, reasonable estimates are usually acceptable unless the court requests a formal appraisal.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes People Make With This Form?

Personal representatives who are handling probate for the first time tend to run into a few recurring problems:

Forgetting assets Leaving out a bank account, safe deposit box, or piece of real property. Even small assets should be listed.
Using purchase price instead of fair market value The court wants what the asset is worth today (well, on the date of death), not what it cost years ago.
Mixing up community property and separate property Arizona is a community property state. Only the decedent's one-half interest in community property belongs to the estate.
Missing the 90-day filing deadline This is one of the most frequent issues, especially for people navigating probate without legal help.
Listing property the decedent didn't actually own Assets held in a living trust, jointly owned property with rights of survivorship, or accounts with designated beneficiaries generally pass outside probate and shouldn't appear on the inventory.

If you're handling probate in Maricopa County specifically, our checklist for surviving spouses filing in Maricopa County can help you avoid missing steps in the filing process.

Do You Need an Appraiser to Complete This Form?

Not necessarily. Arizona law doesn't require a licensed appraiser for every asset. Here's a practical breakdown:

Real estate A professional appraisal or a comparable market analysis is strongly recommended. Tax assessed values are often significantly lower than actual market value and may not satisfy the court.
Vehicles Resources like Kelley Blue Book or NADA guides provide reasonable fair market values.
Bank and financial accounts Use the account balance as of the date of death. Your financial institution can provide statements.
Household items Reasonable estimates are generally accepted. For high-value items (art, jewelry, collectibles), consider a professional appraisal.

The court may order an independent appraisal if it believes values are inaccurate or if a beneficiary objects to the listed values.

How Does the Court Use Your Inventory and Appraisal?

The probate judge uses this document to oversee the administration of the estate. It helps determine:

Whether the estate can pay its debts and taxes
How much each beneficiary is entitled to receive under the will or Arizona's intestate succession laws
Whether the personal representative is managing estate assets responsibly
Whether any claims against the estate are supported by sufficient assets

The inventory also becomes part of the public court record, which means beneficiaries and interested parties can review it. Accuracy matters both legally and practically.

What Happens If You Discover Additional Assets After Filing?

It's not uncommon for personal representatives to find forgotten accounts, stored property, or other assets after the initial filing. Arizona law allows you to file a supplemental inventory to account for these newly discovered items. You should file the supplemental form as soon as possible after discovering the additional assets.

This is one reason it's worth taking your time with the initial inventory being thorough upfront reduces the need for supplemental filings and keeps the process moving.

How Does This Form Fit Into the Broader Probate Process?

The inventory and appraisal is just one piece of Arizona's probate process. Before you even get to this step, you need to open the estate, get appointed as personal representative, and notify creditors. After filing the inventory, you'll move on to paying debts, filing tax returns, and eventually distributing assets to beneficiaries.

For personal representatives handling estates in Pima County, our paperwork guide for personal representatives in Pima County walks through the full set of documents you'll need at each stage.

If you're trying to decide whether you need professional legal help, comparing the filing requirements across Arizona counties can give you a sense of how complex the process may be in your specific jurisdiction.

Practical Checklist Before Filing Your Inventory and Appraisal

Confirm your appointment as personal representative has been officially recorded by the court.
Download the correct, current PDF form from your county's probate court website or a trusted legal resource.
Gather statements for all financial accounts as of the date of death.
Identify all real property owned by the decedent and obtain valuations.
List all personal property, including vehicles, household goods, and valuables.
Determine whether each asset is community property or separate property.
Double-check that assets passing outside probate (trusts, joint tenancy, beneficiary designations) are excluded.
Assign fair market values not purchase prices to every listed asset.
Review the completed form for accuracy and completeness.
File the form with the appropriate Arizona superior court within 90 days of your appointment.

Tip: Keep copies of everything you file with the court. If a beneficiary or creditor later questions asset values or completeness, having organized records will protect you and speed up any resolution.