How a Decedent's Ties Extend to Their Representative
This statute works with the rules in A.R.S. 14-4301. Section 14-4301 covers what the representative does in the state. This section looks at what the deceased person did before death.
For example, the decedent may have owned real property, held bank accounts, or run a business here. Those ties now apply to the person managing the estate.
In addition to jurisdiction conferred by section 14-4301, a foreign personal representative is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state to the same extent that his decedent was subject to jurisdiction immediately prior to death.
A.R.S. § 14-4302This is a practical rule for a mobile population. Someone in another state who created ties here does not lose those ties at death. The personal representative steps into those shoes.
Why This Matters for Multi-State Estates
Families with property in more than one state often ask which courts have authority. This statute makes the answer clear. The courts keep their reach over local matters even when a representative was appointed elsewhere.
If someone could have sued the decedent here before death, that same claim applies to the representative. This means interested parties can bring claims in local courts. They do not need to travel to the state where the representative was appointed.
For families with assets in more than one state, working with attorneys in both locations helps avoid surprises. Knowing this rule early can save time and expense.