When someone passes away, their family often needs to handle their money, property, and belongings — this process is called probate.
But here’s some good news: in Marana, Arizona, if the estate is small, you may be able to skip probate and use a faster, simpler process instead.
🏠 What Counts as a Small Estate in Arizona?
Arizona law allows families to avoid full probate if the estate is below certain limits:
- Personal property: $75,000 or less (this includes things like bank accounts, cars, or jewelry)
- Real estate: $100,000 or less in total value
If the estate meets these limits, you can use special forms — called affidavits — to claim the property without going to court.
📋 How to Transfer a Small Estate Without Probate
There are two main ways to handle a small estate in Marana:
- Small Estate Affidavit (for personal property)
- Used for things like bank accounts or vehicles.
- Can be filed 30 days after death.
- Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property
- Used for real estate valued under $100,000.
- Can be filed six months after death.
Both forms need to be notarized and include a death certificate and proof of ownership.
💡 Ways to Avoid Probate in the Future
If you’re planning ahead, you can take simple steps now to make things easier for your family:
- Create a living trust so your assets go directly to your heirs.
- Use Transfer-on-Death (TOD) forms for real estate and bank accounts.
- Add joint ownership on property, so it automatically transfers to the co-owner.
- Name beneficiaries on insurance and retirement accounts.
These steps help your loved ones avoid court and get access to assets faster.
⚖️ Get Help from a Marana Real Estate Expert
Even small estates can feel confusing. That’s why it helps to talk with a local real estate expert who understands Arizona’s probate process.
If you need guidance with property or estate planning in Marana, Ryan Comstock is here to help. He’s experienced, reliable, and knows how to make the process smooth and stress-free.
📞 Phone: 520-261-4669
📧 Email: ryancomstock@ryancomstock.com
🌐 Website: www.ryancomstock.com