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La Paz County, AZ Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | La Paz County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Superior Court of Arizona in La Paz County (A.R.S. § 14-1302) |
| Clerk address | 1316 Kofa Ave, Suite 607, Parker, AZ 85344 |
| Mailing | Use the clerk's published Parker address unless the clerk gives you different mailing instructions. |
| Phone | (928) 669-6131 |
| Fax | No fax number is published by the clerk. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on legal holidays. |
| Filing fee | $251.00 for an application for informal probate or informal appointment, a petition in formal testacy or appointment, or a petition for transfer of real property by affidavit under A.R.S. § 14-3971(F), effective December 28, 2024. The statewide base comes from A.R.S. § 12-284, with the $15.00 document storage fund under A.R.S. § 12-284.01 and a $60.00 local court improvement fee under Local Ordinance 2003-02. |
| Local forms | La Paz County does not publish its own decedent estate packet on the clerk's homepage. The clerk links English-language users to Mohave County Forms and Kits and Spanish-language users to Maricopa County's Spanish self-service center. |
| E-filing | You cannot open a probate online. Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 1-901 bars e-filing for wills and for any document used to initiate a probate case. The Judicial Branch availability chart lists La Paz probate as subsequent filings only. |
| Case search | The statewide public access portal excludes probate matters. The La Paz clerk states that some cases or documents may not appear on public access and tells callers to ask the clerk's office at (928) 669-6131. |
| Remote appearance | Arizona's probate rules were amended to authorize and facilitate virtual appearances at probate proceedings by interested parties, effective January 1, 2022, under R-21-0007. Ask the court early whether you may appear remotely. |
| Website | https://lapazsuperiorcourtclerk.com/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Parker, make a working list of the estate's assets, debts, account balances, real property, and liens. Arizona's small estate affidavit rules under A.R.S. § 14-3971 use two separate net figures, $200,000 for personal property and $300,000 for Arizona real property, both raised by Laws 2025, ch. 24 (HB 2116), effective September 26, 2025. You cannot choose the right estate settlement path until those numbers are known.
Sunset's estate settlement tools help identify accounts across more than 2,300 financial institutions, organize liabilities, and turn that information into the packet you can take to the La Paz County clerk or to a probate attorney.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate in La Paz County is heard in the Superior Court of Arizona in La Paz County (A.R.S. § 14-1302). Arizona has one superior court, sitting in every county; Arizona's justice courts and city courts are courts of limited jurisdiction and do not hear decedents' estates.
Venue for a first probate proceeding is the county where the person who died was domiciled (A.R.S. § 14-3201(A)(1)), so a La Paz County estate is filed with the Clerk of the Superior Court in La Paz County. If the person who died was not domiciled in Arizona, venue is in any Arizona county where that person's property was located at death (A.R.S. § 14-3201(A)(2)).
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the local form source before you draft. La Paz County does not publish its own decedent estate packet on the clerk's homepage. The clerk links English-language users to Mohave County Forms and Kits and Spanish-language users to Maricopa County's Spanish self-service center, so change the court name to the Superior Court of Arizona in La Paz County (A.R.S. § 14-1302) and ask the La Paz clerk which papers it wants before filing.
- Decide whether you are filing an application for informal probate or informal appointment under A.R.S. § 14-3301, a petition in formal testacy or appointment under A.R.S. § 14-3401, a supervised administration petition under A.R.S. § 14-3501, or a real property affidavit under A.R.S. § 14-3971(F). If the original will is part of the filing, submit it on paper.
- File the opening papers with the Clerk of the Superior Court in Parker. You cannot open the case online because Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 1-901 does not permit e-filing of wills or any document used to initiate a probate case.
- Pay the La Paz County probate filing fee of $251.00, effective December 28, 2024, for an application for informal probate or informal appointment, a petition in formal testacy or appointment, or a petition for transfer of real property by affidavit under A.R.S. § 14-3971(F). The fee is based on A.R.S. § 12-284, the $15.00 document storage fund under A.R.S. § 12-284.01, and a $60.00 local court improvement fee under Local Ordinance 2003-02.
- If you cannot pay at filing, ask for a fee deferral or waiver under A.R.S. § 12-302. Arizona uses Form AOCDFGF1F at the start and a supplemental Form AOCDFGF9F at the end, and a deferral requires a consent to judgment under A.R.S. § 12-302(F).
- Complete the required non-licensed fiduciary training before letters issue. Arizona Rules of Probate Procedure Rule 42 and Administrative Order No. 2012-62 require Supreme Court training for a non-licensed fiduciary described by A.R.S. § 14-5651 before the court can issue letters allowing service as personal representative. The Administrative Office of the Courts publishes the general overview module and the personal representative module.
- Get an initial hearing date when a hearing is required. Rule 18(a), as amended by R-25-0021 effective January 1, 2026, gives the petitioner thirty days to obtain a hearing date before the court must notify the petitioner that the petition may be dismissed.
- Give required notices. After appointment, the personal representative must publish notice to creditors once a week for three successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, and creditor deadlines run under A.R.S. § 14-3801.
- Ask early if you need a virtual appearance. R-21-0007 amended Arizona probate rules to authorize and facilitate virtual appearances at probate proceedings by interested parties, effective January 1, 2022, but remote attendance is permission from the court, not automatic.
- After appointment and training, obtain the appropriate letters. A personal representative receives letters testamentary when there is a will or letters of administration when there is no will, and administration begins when letters issue under A.R.S. § 14-3103.
- Administer and close the estate. Gather assets, pay valid expenses and claims, keep beneficiaries informed, complete any required accounting or closing statement, and keep copies of everything used in the estate settlement.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in La Paz County
Arizona publishes statewide probate forms through the Administrative Office of the Courts, but that statewide set covers fiduciary orders, conservator accounts, and adult guardianship and conservatorship petitions, not the application that opens a decedent's estate. The Judicial Branch says those forms are generic and that each court might have its own preferred forms.
For La Paz County, the clerk's homepage does not publish a separate La Paz decedent estate packet. Instead, the clerk's English-language forms link goes to Mohave County Forms and Kits, and the Spanish-language forms link goes to Maricopa County's Spanish self-service center. If you use a borrowed form, change the court caption to the Superior Court of Arizona in La Paz County (A.R.S. § 14-1302) and call the La Paz clerk before filing to ask what local papers, copies, and signatures are required.
For a real property affidavit under A.R.S. § 14-3971(F), La Paz County charges the same $251.00 filing fee, effective December 28, 2024, that applies to other probate filings under A.R.S. § 12-284. The personal property affidavit under A.R.S. § 14-3971 is not filed with the court.
Fees
La Paz County charges more than the statewide probate baseline. Arizona's probate filing fee begins with the statewide amount under A.R.S. § 12-284, adjusted through Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 3-404, plus the document storage fund under A.R.S. § 12-284.01. County boards may add local fees under A.R.S. § 11-251.08.
| Fee item | Amount | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Application for informal probate or informal appointment | $251.00 | December 28, 2024 |
| Petition in formal testacy or appointment proceeding | $251.00 | December 28, 2024 |
| Petition for supervised administration | $251.00 | December 28, 2024 |
| Petition for transfer of real property by affidavit under A.R.S. § 14-3971(F) | $251.00 | December 28, 2024 |
| Any person opposing a contested petition if no prior payment | $162.00 | December 28, 2024 |
| Postjudgment activities in probate cases | $162.00 | December 28, 2024 |
| Court controlled trust accounts, per individual action | $35.00 | December 28, 2024 |
The $251.00 La Paz County probate total, effective December 28, 2024, is $176.00 under A.R.S. § 12-284, plus $15.00 for the document storage fund under A.R.S. § 12-284.01, plus a $60.00 local court improvement fee under Local Ordinance 2003-02.
If paying the fee would block access to court, request a deferral or waiver under A.R.S. § 12-302. Arizona uses Form AOCDFGF1F and a later supplemental Form AOCDFGF9F, and a deferral requires a consent to judgment under A.R.S. § 12-302(F).
Local nuance
La Paz County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for filing |
|---|---|
| Current county fee schedule | The La Paz County clerk posts a fee schedule effective December 28, 2024. The current probate filing fee is $251.00 under A.R.S. § 12-284, including the $15.00 document storage fund under A.R.S. § 12-284.01 and a $60.00 local court improvement fee. |
| Borrowed form libraries | The clerk's English-language forms link sends users to Mohave County Forms and Kits, and the Spanish-language forms link sends users to Maricopa County's Spanish self-service center. Before filing, change the caption to La Paz County and ask the clerk which documents it wants. |
| Public access caveat | The statewide public access portal excludes probate matters, and the La Paz clerk also states that some cases or documents may not appear on public access. Call the clerk at (928) 669-6131 for a particular probate matter. |
Recent updates
| Date | Update | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| December 28, 2024 | La Paz County's current Superior Court filing fee schedule became effective. | The current probate filing fee is $251.00 under A.R.S. § 12-284, with the document storage fund under A.R.S. § 12-284.01 and a local court improvement fee. |
| September 26, 2025 | Arizona's current small estate limits under A.R.S. § 14-3971 took effect under Laws 2025, ch. 24 (HB 2116). | Personal property and Arizona real property are measured separately under the updated affidavit rules. |
| April 17, 2026 | The Judicial Branch availability chart listed La Paz probate as subsequent filings only, while Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 1-901 still bars electronic opening filings for probate. | The opening application, petition, will, and letters remain paper items. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely La Paz County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | First identify how the home is titled and whether any court filing is needed. If a real property affidavit is available under A.R.S. § 14-3971(F), the La Paz filing fee is $251.00, effective December 28, 2024, and the certified affidavit then must be handled through the proper recording step. If a probate must be opened, the opening papers go to the Clerk of the Superior Court in Parker on paper because Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 1-901 does not permit electronic initiation of probate. | Sunset helps collect account and lien information, prepare an estate settlement plan, and generate a probate packet for attorney review or filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Use the asset list first. A personal property affidavit may be available under A.R.S. § 14-3971 if the personal property number fits the current $200,000 limit under Laws 2025, ch. 24 (HB 2116), effective September 26, 2025. If Arizona real property is involved, the separate $300,000 real property rule under A.R.S. § 14-3971 and Laws 2025, ch. 24 may apply. If a probate case must be opened, ask early about whether any hearing can be handled remotely under R-21-0007. | Sunset helps find accounts, estimate whether an affidavit path is realistic, and connect the family with a local probate attorney if travel or title issues make self-filing difficult. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the home cannot transfer by affidavit under A.R.S. § 14-3971, a personal representative may need letters before sale authority is clear. File the application or petition in Parker, pay the $251.00 La Paz filing fee effective December 28, 2024, complete the non-licensed fiduciary training required by Arizona Rules of Probate Procedure Rule 42 and A.R.S. § 14-5651, and obtain letters under A.R.S. § 14-3103 before acting for the estate. | Sunset organizes the estate settlement tasks, creates a document checklist, and helps find a vetted attorney for sale authority, creditor questions, and closing. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk of the Superior Court in La Paz County | Filing location, fee schedule, public access questions, and local filing instructions for probate in the Superior Court of Arizona in La Paz County (A.R.S. § 14-1302). | 1316 Kofa Ave, Suite 607, Parker, AZ 85344. Phone: (928) 669-6131. Website: https://lapazsuperiorcourtclerk.com/ |
| AZCourtHelp | Statewide self-help portal with a self-help center, form finder, court finder, legal aid options, live chat, and free legal information. | https://azcourthelp.org/ |
| Arizona Judicial Branch Self-Service Center | Statewide legal information and court forms for people representing themselves. Court staff can provide legal information, not legal advice. | https://www.azcourts.gov/selfservicecenter |
| Mohave County Forms and Kits through the La Paz clerk's forms link | La Paz County's English-language forms link sends users to Mohave County Forms and Kits. If you use those forms for a La Paz case, update the caption and ask La Paz County what it wants filed. | Use the forms link from https://lapazsuperiorcourtclerk.com/ |
| Community Legal Services, Kingman office | Community Legal Services lists the Kingman office for Mohave and La Paz Counties. Its listed practice areas do not include probate, estates, or wills, so call and ask what help may be available. | 2701 E. Andy Devine, Suite 400, Kingman, AZ 86401. Phone: (928) 681-1177. Toll free: 1-800-852-9075. |
| AZLawHelp | Statewide legal information resource named by the Arizona Judicial Branch. | https://www.azlawhelp.org/ |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a probate attorney if the will is missing, heirs disagree, a home must be sold, creditor claims are unclear, the estate may need formal testacy under A.R.S. § 14-3401, or you are trying to use forms borrowed from another county for a La Paz filing. Arizona also requires non-licensed fiduciary training under Arizona Rules of Probate Procedure Rule 42 and A.R.S. § 14-5651 before letters issue, so legal help can keep the estate settlement moving. Sunset connects you to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help identify accounts, balances, and liabilities before you choose a La Paz County estate settlement path. That matters in Arizona because A.R.S. § 14-3971 measures personal property and Arizona real property separately.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the family information, asset list, and court choices into an organized probate packet. If the case must be opened in La Paz County, the opening papers go to the clerk on paper because Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 1-901 does not permit electronic initiation of probate.
Find a local probate attorney. When the home must be sold, the will is missing, or the family needs formal testacy under A.R.S. § 14-3401, Sunset can connect you with a vetted Arizona probate attorney who understands La Paz County filing practice.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate settlement, understand the next steps, and decide whether to file themselves or work with counsel.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in La Paz County?
File with the Clerk of the Superior Court in Parker at 1316 Kofa Ave, Suite 607, Parker, AZ 85344. Probate is heard in the Superior Court of Arizona in La Paz County (A.R.S. § 14-1302), and venue is based on the county where the person who died was domiciled (A.R.S. § 14-3201).
Can I open a La Paz County probate online?
No. Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 1-901 does not permit e-filing for wills or for any document used to initiate a probate case. The opening application or petition must be filed on paper with the clerk.
What is the La Paz County probate filing fee?
The La Paz County filing fee is $251.00, effective December 28, 2024, for an application for informal probate or informal appointment, a petition in formal testacy or appointment, or a petition for transfer of real property by affidavit under A.R.S. § 14-3971(F). The fee is tied to A.R.S. § 12-284, the $15.00 document storage fund under A.R.S. § 12-284.01, and a local court improvement fee.
Does La Paz County have its own probate forms?
The La Paz clerk's homepage does not publish a separate La Paz decedent estate packet. It links English-language users to Mohave County Forms and Kits and Spanish-language users to Maricopa County's Spanish self-service center. Before filing, change the court caption to La Paz County and ask the clerk what papers it wants.
Can I look up a La Paz probate case online?
The statewide public access portal excludes probate matters. The La Paz clerk also states that some cases or documents may not appear on public access. For a particular probate matter, call the Clerk of the Superior Court at (928) 669-6131.
Do I have to travel to Parker for a probate hearing?
Not always, but remote appearance is not automatic. R-21-0007 amended Arizona probate rules to authorize and facilitate virtual appearances at probate proceedings by interested parties, effective January 1, 2022. Ask the La Paz County court early whether you may appear remotely.
Is training required before I can serve as personal representative?
Yes. Arizona Rules of Probate Procedure Rule 42, A.R.S. § 14-5651, and Administrative Order No. 2012-62 require a non-licensed fiduciary to complete Supreme Court training before the court issues letters. Letters testamentary or letters of administration give the personal representative authority under A.R.S. § 14-3103.
How quickly do I need to get a hearing date?
When a hearing is required, Rule 18(a), as amended by R-25-0021 effective January 1, 2026, gives the petitioner thirty days to obtain an initial hearing date before the court must notify the petitioner that the petition may be dismissed.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.