How a Decedent's Connections Extend to Their Representative
This statute works alongside the jurisdiction rules in A.R.S. 14-4301. While 14-4301 addresses what the foreign personal representative personally does in Arizona, this section looks backward at what the deceased person did. If the decedent owned property here, conducted business here, or had other connections that would have given Arizona courts authority over them, that same authority now applies to whoever is managing their 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 an increasingly mobile population. Someone who lived in another state but owned a vacation home in Scottsdale, held Arizona bank accounts, or ran a business here created connections that do not disappear at death. The personal representative steps into those shoes.
Why This Matters for Multi-State Estates
Families dealing with property in multiple states often face the question of which courts have authority. This statute makes it clear: Arizona does not lose its reach over local matters simply because the personal representative was appointed elsewhere. If the decedent could have been sued in Arizona over a particular matter, the representative can be brought into an Arizona proceeding on that same issue. For families with assets in Arizona and another state, coordinating with an attorney familiar with both jurisdictions helps avoid procedural surprises.