What the Closing Statement Must Include
When a personal representative has administered a small estate under the summary procedure, closing the case is straightforward. The representative files a verified statement with the court confirming three things: the estate qualified as a small estate, all personal property has been distributed, and all distributees and known creditors have been notified.
Unless prohibited by order of the court and except for estates being administered by supervised personal representatives, a personal representative may close an estate administered under the summary procedures of section 14-3973 by filing with the court, at any time after disbursement and distribution of the estate, a verified statement.
A.R.S. § 14-3974(A)The statement must confirm that the personal representative sent a copy to all distributees and to all creditors whose claims were not paid or barred. A full written accounting must also go to any distributee whose interest was affected.
When the Appointment Ends
Filing the closing statement does not immediately end the personal representative's appointment. Instead, there is a one-year buffer. If no court actions involving the representative are pending one year after the closing statement is filed, the appointment terminates automatically.
If no actions or proceedings involving the personal representative are pending in the court one year after the closing statement is filed, the appointment of the personal representative terminates.
A.R.S. § 14-3974(B)For families in Maricopa County and elsewhere, this process avoids the cost and complexity of a formal court hearing. The closing statement carries the same legal effect as one filed under the standard procedure. For real property transfers, the representative may also need to file an affidavit for transfer of title to real property with the county recorder to complete the process.