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A.R.S. § 14-3402

What a Formal Testacy Petition Must Include in Arizona

Verified April 4, 2026 • 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session

When someone files a formal testacy proceeding in Arizona, the petition must follow specific requirements. A petition to probate a will must identify the instrument, provide required background information, and explain whether the original will is available. A petition to establish intestacy must request a finding that the decedent left no will and identify the heirs.

Title 14, PROBATE OF WILLS AND ADMINISTRATION

azleg.gov

Petition to Probate a Will

Filing a formal testacy petition is not as simple as submitting a will to the court. The petition must meet specific content requirements so the court and all interested parties understand exactly what is being asked.

A petition for formal probate of a will must: 1. Request an order as to the testacy of the decedent in relation to a particular instrument which may or may not have been informally probated and determining the heirs; 2. Contain the statements required for informal applications as stated in paragraph 1 of subsection B of section 14-3301 and the statements required by subdivisions (b) and (c), paragraph 2 of subsection B of section 14-3301; and 3. State whether the original of the last will of the decedent is in the possession of the court or accompanies the petition.

A.R.S. § 14-3402(A)

If the original will is missing, the petition must go further. It needs to describe the contents of the will and explain that the document is lost, destroyed, or otherwise unavailable. This allows the court to consider probating a will even when the physical document cannot be produced, though the standard of proof is higher in those situations.

Petition for Intestacy

Formal proceedings are not limited to proving a will. They can also be used to ask the court to declare that someone died without a valid will. This is important when the informal process is not available or when there is a dispute about whether a will exists.

A petition for adjudication of intestacy and appointment of an administrator in intestacy must request a judicial finding and order that the decedent left no will and determining the heirs, contain the statements required by paragraphs 1 and 4 of subsection B of section 14-3301 and indicate whether supervised administration is sought.

A.R.S. § 14-3402(B)

The petition can request both an intestacy finding and the appointment of an administrator, or it can simply ask the court to determine heirs without appointing anyone. This flexibility allows families to use formal proceedings for different purposes depending on what the estate requires.

14-3402. Formal testacy or appointment proceedings; petition; contents A. Petitions for formal probate of a will, or for adjudication of intestacy with or without request for appointment of a personal representative, must be directed to the court, request a judicial order after notice and hearing and contain further statements as indicated in this section. A petition for formal probate of a will must: 1. Request an order as to the testacy of the decedent in relation to a particular instrument which may or may not have been informally probated and determining the heirs; 2. Contain the statements required for informal applications as stated in paragraph 1 of subsection B of section 14-3301 and the statements required by subdivisions (b) and (c), paragraph 2 of subsection B of section 14-3301; and 3. State whether the original of the last will of the decedent is in the possession of the court or accompanies the petition. If the original will or a certified copy of a will probated in another jurisdiction neither is in the possession of the court nor accompanies the petition, the petition also must state the contents of the will, and indicate that it is lost, destroyed or otherwise unavailable. B. A petition for adjudication of intestacy and appointment of an administrator in intestacy must request a judicial finding and order that the decedent left no will and determining the heirs, contain the statements required by paragraphs 1 and 4 of subsection B of section 14-3301 and indicate whether supervised administration is sought. A petition may request an order determining intestacy and heirs without requesting the appointment of an administrator, in which case, the statements required by subdivision (b), paragraph 4 of subsection B of section 14-3301 may be omitted.
View on azleg.gov

This page provides general legal information about Arizona statutes and is not legal advice. For guidance on how this law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Related Questions

What is probate, and how long does it take in Arizona?

Probate is a court-supervised process that validates a will, pays debts, and distributes assets. In Arizona, it typically takes 8 to 12 months and costs $10,000 to $15,000 in fees.

What happens if I die without a will in Arizona?

Without a will in Arizona, your assets are distributed according to state intestacy laws. The court decides who receives your property using a fixed formula based on family relationships.

Is there a deadline to file probate in Arizona?

Yes. A.R.S. 14-3108 sets a two-year deadline. Filing within two years gives the personal representative full powers. After two years, they can only confirm title to heirs and cannot possess assets or handle creditor claims.

Related Statutes

§ 14-3101How Property Passes at Death Under Arizona Probate Law
§ 14-3102Why a Will Must Be Probated to Transfer Property in Arizona
§ 14-3103Why a Personal Representative Must Be Appointed in Arizona Probate

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