What should I do first after someone dies in Arizona?

Start with immediate practical tasks: have the death officially pronounced, contact the funeral home, notify close family, secure the home, and order certified death certificates.

How many death certificates should I order in Arizona?

Most families need about 10 to 15 certified copies because banks, insurers, probate courts, and title-transfer agencies often each require their own copy.

When should I figure out whether probate is needed in Arizona?

Usually within the first few weeks, once you know what assets exist and how they were titled. That is early enough to plan without rushing into the wrong filing path.

What to Do When Someone Dies in Arizona

A step-by-step guide for the first 30 days. We know this is overwhelming. Take it one task at a time.

Get Death Certificates Do I Need Probate?

Use this timeline to handle immediate post-death tasks in the right order before you move into probate, asset transfer, or executor paperwork.

Published: January 15, 2026Updated: June 4, 2026

Sources

Arizona Judicial Branch - Superior Court, accessed 2026-06-04
Arizona Judicial Branch - Probate Forms, accessed 2026-06-04
A.R.S. 14-3971 - Collection of personal property by affidavit; ownership of vehicles; affidavit of succession to real property, accessed 2026-06-04
A.R.S. 14-3801 - Notice to creditors, accessed 2026-06-04

If You Are the Named Executor in Arizona

In plain terms: if you are handling an Arizona estate, start with the records and court tasks below, at a steady pace. The details under each step explain exactly what to do.

If you are the named executor, personal representative, administrator, or the family member organizing an Arizona estate, start with the state-specific records, court, and transfer tasks below. Check each step against the current county office or agency handling the estate.

Secure the person and property records you can lawfully access.
Confirm this Arizona task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.
Look for a will, trust, beneficiary deeds, vehicle beneficiary designations, payable-on-death accounts, and survivorship title.
Confirm this Arizona task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.
Order certified death certificates from ADHS or the appropriate local issuing office.
Confirm this Arizona task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.
Identify whether any urgent court action, property preservation, or financial access issue exists.
Confirm this Arizona task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.
List titled assets and debts, separating probate and non-probate assets when possible.
Confirm this Arizona task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.