What the Inventory Must Cover
The inventory is one of the most important early steps in estate administration. It creates a snapshot of everything the decedent owned at the time of death, with enough detail for heirs, creditors, and the court to understand the full picture.
Within ninety days after his appointment, a personal representative, who is not a special administrator or a successor to another representative who has previously discharged this duty, shall prepare an inventory of property owned by the decedent at the time of his death, listing it with reasonable detail, and indicating as to each listed item, its fair market value as of the date of the decedent's death, its nature as community or separate property and the type and amount of any encumbrance that may exist with reference to any item.
A.R.S. § 14-3706(A)Each item must include three pieces of information: its fair market value on the date of death, whether it is community or separate property, and any liens, mortgages, or other encumbrances attached to it. This level of detail matters for dividing the estate correctly and for tax reporting purposes.
Filing Options for the Inventory
Arizona gives personal representatives a choice. They can file the original inventory with the court and send copies only to interested persons who request them. Or they can skip the court filing entirely and instead deliver or mail a copy to each heir (in an intestate estate) or devisee (if a will has been probated), plus anyone else who asks for it.
The personal representative may file the original of the inventory with the court and send a copy of the inventory only to interested persons who request it; or, if he elects not to file the inventory with the court, he must deliver or mail a copy of the inventory to each of the heirs in an intestate estate, or to each of the devisees if a will has been probated, and to any other interested persons who request it.
A.R.S. § 14-3706(B)This flexibility reflects Arizona's preference for efficient, informal probate. Some families prefer the transparency of a court filing. Others value privacy and choose to distribute the inventory directly. Either approach satisfies the statute, so the decision often comes down to the family's circumstances and preferences.