How long does a probate or a trust administration take?
It typically takes between six months to a year to close a probate or complete a trust administration, but every situation is has its own unique set of circumstances. For both a probate and a trust administration, you should wait until the four month creditor period (A.R.S. 14-3801) is over before distributing assets. Filing the decedent’s final tax return and any required estate or trust tax returns often slows things down a bit.
Probate Attorney vs. an AZCLDP
If you hire a probate attorney, the length of time it takes to close your probate or trust administration will depend on that law firm’s caseload; the busier the law firm, the longer it will take. Having a small caseload, Arizona Probate, LLC should be able to close your probate or trust administration in a more timely manner and at a lower cost. The length of time also depends on the cooperation of the personal representative or trustee.
Hire someone else to act as personal representative or trustee
If you hire an attorney or an AZCLDP to assist you with a probate or trust administration, that is all they are able to do – ASSIST you. Since you are the appointed personal representative or trustee, only you have the authority to speak with the relevant financial institutions, sign all of the required forms and documentation, open an estate or trust bank account, obtain date of death valuations, obtain statements for the accounting, etc. If you want someone to handle all of those details for you, which often includes spending hours on the phone on hold with financial institutions, you need to hire a qualified fiduciary such as an AZ Licensed Fiduciary or an attorney. Julie Ruetz, the owner and sole operator of Arizona Probate, LLC, is also an AZ Licensed Fiduciary. She offers reasonable rates, and over 8 years of experience with Arizona trust administrations and probates. She is located in Phoenix. Call (520) 252-6726 for further information.
The information on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.
