Two Paths to Appointment
Arizona provides two ways to appoint a special administrator, depending on how urgent the situation is and what the circumstances require.
The first path is informal. Any interested person can apply to the registrar for appointment of a special administrator when the estate needs protection before a general personal representative is in place, or when a prior appointment has been terminated.
A special administrator may be appointed: 1. Informally by the registrar on the application of any interested person when necessary to protect the estate of a decedent prior to the appointment of a general personal representative or if a prior appointment has been terminated as provided in section 14-3609.
A.R.S. § 14-3614(1)The second path is formal. Any interested person can petition the court for appointment, and the court will schedule a hearing with notice to relevant parties. The court must find that appointment is necessary to preserve the estate or ensure proper administration.
Emergency Appointments
When time is critical, the court can skip the notice requirement entirely. If an emergency exists, the court may appoint a special administrator immediately to prevent loss or damage to estate assets.
If it appears to the court that an emergency exists, appointment may be ordered without notice.
A.R.S. § 14-3614(2)This emergency provision covers situations where estate property is at risk of being lost, damaged, or wasted. A vacant property that needs securing, a business that needs someone to authorize payroll, or perishable assets that need immediate attention are all scenarios where waiting for full proceedings could cause real harm.
