What Termination Actually Means
Ending a personal representative's appointment is not a clean break. It stops the authority that comes with the office, but it leaves certain duties in place.
The representative can no longer make decisions for the estate. They also cannot represent it in legal proceedings. Yet they remain liable for anything they did (or failed to do) while serving.
Termination ends the right and power pertaining to the office of personal representative as conferred by this title or any will, except that a personal representative, at any time prior to distribution or until restrained or enjoined by court order, may perform acts necessary to protect the estate and may deliver the assets to a successor representative.
A.R.S. § 14-3608There is one narrow exception. Even after termination, the representative can still take steps to protect the estate and hand assets to a successor.
This prevents a gap in estate protection during the transition.
Accountability Survives the Appointment
Termination does not free a personal representative from liability for actions or omissions during their time in office. If they mishandled funds or failed to meet their fiduciary duties, the court can still hold them accountable.
The representative also retains a duty to preserve any estate assets still under their control. They must account for those assets as well.
Interested parties can still bring claims. The court keeps jurisdiction over the former representative.
Changing a personal representative does not erase the record. The outgoing representative must account for everything and deliver assets to whoever takes over.