[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.penningtonestateplanning.com\/blog\/navigating-probate-in-buckeye-arizona\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.penningtonestateplanning.com\/blog\/navigating-probate-in-buckeye-arizona\/","headline":"Navigating Probate in Buckeye, Arizona","name":"Navigating Probate in Buckeye, Arizona","description":"Probate is the process of settling someone\u2019s estate after their death. When a loved one passes away in Arizona, their estate may need to go through probate. Navigating probate can be challenging depending on your family member\u2019s assets, debts, and whether they had a valid will and clear estate plan. If you need help understanding […]","datePublished":"2024-07-15","dateModified":"2024-07-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.penningtonestateplanning.com\/blog\/author\/penningtonlaw\/#Person","name":"Pennington Law, PLLC","url":"https:\/\/www.penningtonestateplanning.com\/blog\/author\/penningtonlaw\/","identifier":6,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/35dc6853b9d9833af8623c784bd8cc1436ceca0be7925133d99c37afece2b1e9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/35dc6853b9d9833af8623c784bd8cc1436ceca0be7925133d99c37afece2b1e9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Pennington Law, PLLC","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.penningtonestateplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/logo-2.png","url":"https:\/\/www.penningtonestateplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/logo-2.png","width":209,"height":126}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.penningtonestateplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-2024-07-15T131914.608.png","url":"https:\/\/www.penningtonestateplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-2024-07-15T131914.608.png","height":400,"width":600},"url":"https:\/\/www.penningtonestateplanning.com\/blog\/navigating-probate-in-buckeye-arizona\/","about":["Probate & Estate Administration"],"wordCount":508,"articleBody":"Probate is the process of settling someone\u2019s estate after their death. When a loved one passes away in Arizona, their estate may need to go through probate. Navigating probate can be challenging depending on your family member\u2019s assets, debts, and whether they had a valid will and clear estate plan. If you need help understanding probate or managing disputes, a Buckeye, Arizona probate lawyer can answer your questions and advise on your next steps.\u00a0\u00a0What is Probate?Probate is the court-supervised process of distributing a person\u2019s assets once they die. There are two types of probate:\u00a0Informal probate \u2013 For estates with a valid will and no contested disputesFormal probate \u2013 A court-involved process where a judge makes decisions on will contests, beneficiary designations, or other disagreements\u00a0There are some common misconceptions about probate, including:All assets must go through probate \u2013 Some assets are not subject to probate, including living trusts, payable on death (POD) accounts, jointly owned property, and retirement accounts and insurance policies with designated beneficiaries.Arizona keeps the assets when there is no will \u2013 If your loved one did not have a will, the Buckeye, Arizona probate court will distribute the estate according to the state\u2019s intestate succession laws.\u00a0When is Probate Necessary?Not every estate in Arizona must go through probate. In some situations, Arizona law permits estates valued at less than $75,000 to go through a simplified \u201csmall estate\u201d process. Probate is necessary if you die without a will or have a large estate with assets over $75,000 or real estate over $100,000.\u00a0Assets typically transferred through probate include real estate, vehicles, household items, personal property and valuables, and financial assets, including cash and bank accounts.\u00a0The Probate Process in BuckeyeThe Buckeye, Arizona probate process involves several steps:Initiating probate \u2013 The estate’s personal representative (executor) must file documents with the probate court to initiate probate proceedings. If there is no will or your loved one did not name a qualifying personal representative, the court will appoint someone.\u00a0Inventorying and appraising assets \u2013 Once appointed, the personal representative must oversee the probate process, including inventorying and appraising the estate.\u00a0Notifying creditors and heirs \u2013 The personal representative must notify your loved one\u2019s heirs and creditors of their death and allow them to make claims on the estate.\u00a0Settling debts and taxes \u2013 Your loved one\u2019s assets will be used to settle estate taxes and pay any owed debts.\u00a0Distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries \u2013 Once all debts and taxes are paid, the personal representative will oversee the distribution of the estate’s assets to beneficiaries.\u00a0Closing the estate \u2013 After completing the required steps, the executor must file with the probate court to close the estate officially.Contact Our Buckeye, Arizona Probate Attorneys TodayEstate administration can be overwhelming, especially if you are grieving the loss of a loved one. An experienced Buckeye, Arizona probate attorney with Pennington Law, PLLC, can assist you in resolving estate disputes and making the process as painless as possible. Contact us online or call today for a free consultation.\u00a0"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.penningtonestateplanning.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Navigating Probate in Buckeye, Arizona","item":"https:\/\/www.penningtonestateplanning.com\/blog\/navigating-probate-in-buckeye-arizona\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]