When a Supplementary Inventory Is Required
Estate administration does not always go according to the initial plan. Assets get overlooked. A safe deposit box turns up months later. An old bank account surfaces. A real estate appraisal comes back significantly different from the initial estimate. When any of these things happen, the personal representative must update the estate inventory.
If any property not included in the original inventory comes to the knowledge of a personal representative or if the personal representative learns that the value or description indicated in the original inventory for any item is erroneous or misleading, he shall make a supplementary inventory or appraisement showing the market value as of the date of the decedent's death of the new item or the revised market value or descriptions, and the appraisers or other data relied upon, if any.
A.R.S. § 14-3708The trigger is knowledge. Once the personal representative becomes aware of missing property or incorrect information, the duty to prepare a supplementary inventory kicks in. There is no grace period for hoping the issue resolves itself.
How the Supplementary Inventory Is Handled
The supplementary inventory follows the same distribution rules as the original. If the original was filed with the probate court, the supplement gets filed there too. If the original was distributed directly to heirs and devisees, the updated information goes to anyone with an interest in the new details.
This requirement protects everyone involved in the probate and estate administration process. Heirs and devisees have a right to know the full scope of the estate. Creditors need accurate totals to assess claims. The personal representative builds a documented record showing they fulfilled their duty, even when the facts changed.
Proper estate planning can reduce the need for supplementary inventories. When assets are well-organized and documented before death, the personal representative starts with a more complete picture. Bank accounts, real estate, and other holdings are easier to locate when records are maintained and shared with family members in advance.