Quick answer: for personal property at or under $200,000, present the affidavit directly to the asset holder 30 days after death. For real property at or under $300,000 in equity, record the Affidavit of Succession to Real Property with the County Recorder 6 months after death, under A.R.S. 14-3971. Check which applies with the Arizona small estate checker.
Filing the personal property affidavit
- Wait 30 days from the date of death.
- Confirm no personal representative is pending or appointed.
- Total the personal property, net of liens — bank accounts, vehicles, securities, and similar assets, staying at or under $200,000.
- Complete the affidavit (Maricopa County's form is available through its Probate/Mental Health Self-Service Center; other counties use similar statewide forms).
- Present it directly to each bank, transfer agent, or the Motor Vehicle Division — no court filing required.
Filing the real property affidavit
- Wait 6 months from the date of death — a longer window than the personal property route.
- Confirm net equity is at or under $300,000, after subtracting any mortgage.
- Complete the Affidavit of Succession to Real Property.
- Record it with the County Recorder in the county where the property is located, along with the recording fee (commonly $30-$50 in Maricopa County) and a certified death certificate.
If an institution pushes back
Some banks apply more conservative internal policies than the statute requires. Escalating to the institution's compliance department and referencing A.R.S. 14-3971 directly often resolves it; a brief attorney letter citing the statute is sometimes enough to avoid opening a full probate case just to overcome an overly cautious teller.
A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.
Personal property affidavits go straight to the asset holder regardless of county; real property affidavits record with the County Recorder of Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, or wherever the property sits.