Q: What is the benefit of avoiding probate?
A:
There are two main benefits to avoiding probate: saving time and money. The first step of probate is to get a personal representative appointed, and this usually takes between 2-6 weeks. After that, Arizona law requires that most probates remain open for at least 4 months. Closing a probate usually takes another month, so you should plan on it taking at least 6 months. The estate will also need to pay the court fees, which are between $275 and $375 depending on the county. If you decide to hire an attorney, then you will have those fees.
Probate is not all bad though. It provides a systematic way to administer an estate and provides protections for the personal representative and heirs if they follow all the laws.
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