Arizona’s “Small” Estate Affidavit Grows Up - Updates to A.R.S. §14-3971 Effective September 26, 2025

Shannon M. Derksen, Fletcher Struse Wagner & Derksen PLC

This presentation will examine the new (effective September 26, 2025) statutory updates to the “small estate” limits in Arizona. Probate practitioners in Arizona will soon see the small estate affidavit limit increase from $75,000 to $200,000 for personal property and from $100,000 to $300,000 for real property.  We’ll briefly review how this 2025 change in law came about, outline the processes for collecting personal property and real property by affidavit, and discuss the potential effects of this change, both on practitioners in the field and the general public. Practical tips and red flags for practitioners will also be considered, along with potential challenges for professionals in this area.