Quick answer: most Arizona estates use informal probate, the fast, registrar-reviewed default. Formal probate kicks in when something is contested, adding a judge and typically 1–2 years. Supervised probate is the rare, most court-intensive track. See how this affects your own estimate in the Arizona probate timeline calculator.
Side by side
| Informal | Formal | Supervised | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reviewed by | Court registrar | Judge, at a hearing | Judge, ongoing |
| Used when | Nothing is disputed | Something is contested or unclear | Court oversight specifically needed |
| Court oversees distributions | No | Not automatically | Yes, throughout |
| Typical timeline | 6–12 months | 1–2 years | Can run several years |
Why informal is the default choice
What pushes a case into formal probate
Formal probate becomes necessary — or is specifically requested — when something informal review can't resolve: a will contest, a dispute over who has priority to serve as personal representative, or genuine ambiguity in the will's language. Because it requires an actual court hearing before a judge rather than registrar review, formal probate routinely takes a year or more even when the underlying dispute itself isn't especially complicated.
Why supervised probate is rare
Supervised probate isn't triggered by a dispute the way formal probate is — it's a specific request for the court to actively oversee distributions throughout the administration, not just review the initial appointment. Because it adds ongoing court involvement to every step rather than a one-time review, it's reserved for situations where that level of oversight is specifically warranted, and contested supervised cases can run several years.
A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.