What the Notice Must Include
Arizona gives personal representatives a clear 30-day window after appointment to reach out to everyone who has, or may have, an interest in the estate. The notice must be delivered or sent by first class mail to each heir and devisee whose address is reasonably available.
Not later than thirty days after appointment every personal representative, except any special administrator, shall give information of the appointment to the heirs and devisees, including, if there has been no formal testacy proceeding and if the personal representative was appointed on the assumption that the decedent died intestate, the devisees in any will mentioned in the application for appointment of a personal representative.
A.R.S. § 14-3705The notice itself is straightforward. It must include the personal representative's name and address, a statement that it is being sent to people who have or may have an interest in the estate, whether a bond has been filed, and a description of the court where estate papers are on file.
Consequences of Missing the Deadline
Here is an important distinction. If a personal representative fails to send the required notice, it counts as a breach of duty to the affected individuals. But it does not undo the appointment, strip the representative of their powers, or invalidate any actions they have already taken. The obligation is real, but the consequences are directed at the representative personally rather than at the estate proceedings.
For families going through probate, this notice serves a practical purpose: it makes sure everyone who might be affected knows what is happening and where to find the records. It also triggers the clock on the time heirs and devisees have to raise objections or protect their interests. A personal representative who takes this step promptly sets the tone for an organized, transparent administration.