Instructions: Simplified Account Guidelines For Probate Accounts (Yavapai)

There are all sorts of forms executors, beneficiaries, and probate court clerks have to fill out and correspond with during probate and estate settlement, including affidavits, letters, petitions, summons, orders, and notices.

Instructions: Simplified Account Guidelines For Probate Accounts (Yavapai) is a commonly used form within Arizona. Here’s an overview of what the form is and means, including a breakdown of the situations when (or why) you may need to use it:

Atticus Fast Facts About Instructions: Simplified Account Guidelines For Probate Accounts (Yavapai)

Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Instructions: Simplified Account Guidelines For Probate Accounts (Yavapai):

• This form pertains to the State of Arizona

Government forms are not typically updated often, though when they are, it often happens rather quietly. While Atticus works hard to keep this information about Arizona’s Form Instructions: Simplified Account Guidelines For Probate Accounts (Yavapai) up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.

Step 1 - Download the correct Arizona form based on the name and ID if applicable

Double check that you have both the correct form name and the correct form ID. Some Arizona probate forms can look remarkably similar, so it’s best to double, even triple-check that you’re using the right one! Keep in mind that not all States have a standardized Form ID system for their probate forms.

Step 2 - Complete the Document

Fill out all relevant fields in Form Instructions: Simplified Account Guidelines For Probate Accounts (Yavapai), take a break, and then review. Probate and estate settlement processes in AZ are long enough to begin with, and making a silly error can push your timeline even farther back. No thank you!

Note: If you don’t currently know all of the answers and are accessing Form Instructions: Simplified Account Guidelines For Probate Accounts (Yavapai) online, be sure to avoid closing the browser tab and potentially losing all your progress (or use a platform like Atticus to help avoid making mistakes).

Step 3 - Have Form witnessed or notarized (if required)

Some States and situations require particular forms to be notarized. If you have been instructed to get the document notarized or see it in writing on the document, then make sure to hire a local notary. There are max notary fees in the United States that are defined and set by local law. Take a look at our full guide to notary fees to make sure you aren’t overpaying or getting ripped off.

Step 4 - Submit Instructions: Simplified Account Guidelines For Probate Accounts (Yavapai) to the relevant office

This is most often the local probate court where the decedent (person who passed away) is domiciled (permanently resides) or the institution involved with this particular form (e.g. a bank). Some offices allow you to submit forms online, other’s don’t, and we while we generally recommend going in-person to expedite the process, sometimes that simply isn’t an option.

It’s also a generally good idea to establish a positive working relationship with any probate clerk (unfortunately there’s enough people & process out there making things more difficult and unnecessarily confusing for them), so a best practice is to simply ask the probate clerk proactively exactly how and where they’d prefer you to submit all forms.

Need help getting in touch with a local probate court or identifying a domicile probate jurisdiction?

👉 Find and Contact your Local Probate Court

👉 What is a Domicile Jurisdiction?

Sponsored by Atticus App

Need help with Arizona Probate?

Join all the other families who have trusted Atticus through probate, and experience the peace that comes from knowing you're taking the right steps, spending the least amount of money, and not wasting a single second.

Start for free

Different probate forms or processes can require different deadlines or response times for completing the appropriate form.

While some steps in the process are bound to specific deadlines (like petitioning for probate, having to submit an inventory of assets, or filing applicable notices to creditors and beneficiaries), many probate forms or processes are not tied to a specific deadline since the scope of work can vary based on situational factors or requirements involved.

Either way, there are a bunch of practical reasons why personal representatives should work to complete each step as thoroughly and quickly as possible when completing probate in Arizona.

5 reasons you should submit this form as quickly as possible:

1. The sooner you begin, the faster Arizona can allow heirs and beneficiaries to get their share of assets subject to probate. Acting promptly can also decrease the costs & overall mental fatigue through an otherwise burdensome process.
   
   Helpful Context: What’s the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets?

2. In general, creditors of an estate usually have around 3-6 months from the time you file notice to creditors to file any claims for debt against the deceased’s assets. If they don’t, then that debt is forfeited (and more importantly, the executor won’t be held personally responsible). So doing this sooner means you have a better idea of who is owed what and ensures you won’t get a surprise collector months later.

3. Not filing a will within 30 days (on average) could mean that the probate process proceeds according to intestate laws (laws that govern what happens to someone's stuff without a will) or is subject to unnecessary supervision by the probate court. And if you aren't directly related to the deceased (a.k.a. next of kin), this could also mean you lose your inheritance.

4. It’s important to file any necessary state tax returns on behalf of the deceased or estate by the following tax season in Arizona. If you don’t, you could owe penalties and interest. This also includes any necessary federal tax returns such as Forms 1040, 1041, or even a Form 706 estate tax return.

5. If a house in the State of Arizona is left empty (or abandoned) for a while, insurance can get dicey. For example, if the house burns down and no one has been there for a year, an insurance company may get out of paying your claim.

If you’re not using Atticus to get specific forms, deadlines, and timelines for Arizona probate, then try and stay as organized as possible, pay close attention to the dates mentioned in any correspondence you have with the State’s government officials, call the local Arizona probate clerk or court for exact answers regarding Form Instructions: Simplified Account Guidelines For Probate Accounts (Yavapai), and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.

Instructions: Simplified Account Guidelines For Probate Accounts (Yavapai) is one of the many probate court forms available for download through Atticus.

It may also be available through some Arizona probate court sites, such as . In order to access the latest version, be updated with any revisions, and get full instructions on how to complete each form, check out the Atticus Probate & Estate Settlement software or consider hiring a qualified legal expert locally within Arizona.

While Atticus automatically provides the latest forms, be sure to choose the correct version of Form Instructions: Simplified Account Guidelines For Probate Accounts (Yavapai) f using any other site or resource in order to avoid having to re-complete the form process and/or make another trip to the Arizona probate court office.

Instructions: Simplified Account Guidelines For Probate Accounts (Yavapai) is a .pdf, so opening it should be as simple as clicking “View Form” from within the Atticus app or by clicking the appropriate link found on any Arizona-provided government platform. Once you’ve opened the form, you should be able to directly edit the form before saving or printing.

Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on Arizona Form Instructions: Simplified Account Guidelines For Probate Accounts (Yavapai). You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.

YAVAPAI COUNTY Self-Service Center INSTRUCTIONS: SIMPLIFIED ACCOUNT GUIDELINES FOR PROBATE ACCOUNTS READ ME: These guidelines are to help non-accountants and non-lawyers complete court paperwork. To use these Simplified Guidelines, you should have a copy of the Superior Court FORM FOR SUBMISSION OF ANNUAL ACCOUNT. If you are not sure how to complete the court papers, contact an accountant or a lawyer for help. BACKGROUND INFORMATION. The following information is to assist you in preparing an account of the estate for approval by the Judge. The purpose of an account is to present financial information in a format which is meaningful to the interested parties. The account should be understood by persons who are not accountants and lawyers. The information should be presented in a simple, but complete format to help everyone understand the administration of the estate. Parties should easily be able to determine what came into the estate, what went out, and what is left in the estate at the end of the account period. Number of this Account: Number the account you are submitting (1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , and so forth, or Final). The last account (when the estate is ready to be closed) should be numbered and called “Final” (for example: the Tenth and Final Account). Time period: Write the dates for which this account was prepared (for example: March 1, 2011, to February 28, 2012). Bond: If this applies to your case, write in the current bond amount. Write in the amount the bond should be increased or decreased to based on the amount that will cover the estate’s unrestricted assets plus the unrestricted income for the next account period (generally one year), or check that the bond should be exonerated because the Estate has been distributed. ACCOUNT SUMMARY: INSTRUCTIONS: Complete Lists A through F first and then enter the total from each list on The Account Summary. LIST A BEGINNING LIST OF ASSETS BEGINNING BALANCE: • If this is the First Account, use the Inventory and Appraisement for the Beginning List of Assets. If this is the Second Account or any other account, use the Ending List of Assets from the previous account. You can copy the Ending List of Assets from the previous account and write the amount on LIST A. • List the account number (PROVIDE ONLY THE LAST FOUR DIGITS OF THE ACCOUNT NUMBER), account type, and the institution for all bank accounts and investment accounts. List all assets with an adequate description so the asset can be located and identified (addresses of properties; year, make and model of vehicles, insurance company name and policy number, and so forth). List life insurance policies (PROVIDE ONLY THE LAST FOUR DIGITS OF THE POLICY NUMBER) at cash value. List all marketable securities (PROVIDE ONLY THE LAST FOUR DIGITS OF THE POLICY NUMBER) at cash value. Superior Court of Arizona in Yavapai County Page 1 of 4 PBIP105i October 2012 • Include with the beginning and ending assets all information about any debt owed or liens or the assets, like a house or automobile. Include the following information about the debt or lien: 1) The payee 2) Principal balance 3) Interest rate 4) Payment amount 5) Pay-off date After you finish List A, put the total at the bottom of the page on line A of page 1. LIST B MONEY RECEIVED DURING THIS ACCOUNT PERIOD: • List all funds received by the estate during the account period from all sources. • Itemize all money received by: 1) Date of receipt 2) Payer 3) Description by type of receipt (interest income, dividends, Social Security, and so forth) and other details to identify the income source (such as account numbers) 4) Amount Transfers: Include transfers of funds from one account number to another as monies received or monies disbursed. Report any time you closed or opened an account, cased in an insurance policy, or any other transfer of funds in which the original form of the asset is discontinued or a new asset is obtained. After you finish List B, put the total at the bottom of the page on line B of page 1. LIST C SCHEDULE OF ALL GAINS DURING THIS ACCOUNT PERIOD: • Write the details of sales with gains. This includes: 1) The date of sale 2) Purchaser (person sold to) 3) Description of what was sold 4) The amount gained (sale price minus fees and minus the value of the asset as reported in the previous Account or Inventory and Appraisement) Note: if you sold an asset but had no gain and no loss, you must still report the transaction and list the gain as zero. • List other increases to the estate on List C and then add them to the total at the bottom of the page Increases to the estate may include: 1) Assets you did not know about at the last account but now you do 2) Assets that increased in value since the last account, such as investments or insurance Note: You should only show increases or decreases in value of an asset if the value can be supported by documentation (such as a written appraisal, or when the market value is easily available, as for securities). In case of real property, increases or decreases in value of an asset should be estimated based on the prevailing market conditions or the current property tax full-cash value should be used. After you finish List C, put the total at the bottom of the page on line C of page 1. Superior Court of Arizona in Yavapai County Page 2 of 4 PBIP105i October 2012 LIST D MONEY SPENT (DISBURSEMENTS) DURING THIS ACCOUNT PERIOD: • List all money you spent on behalf of the estate during the account period. Only include items which are expenses of the estate. • Itemize all money spent, first by account, then by: 1) Date 2) Person you paid 3) Purpose of expenses 4) Amount Note: If the expenses in unusual or appears questionable, you should provide additional information in a note attached to List D. Transfers: Include transfers of funds from one account number to another as monies received or monies disbursed. Report any time you closed or opened an account, cashed in an insurance policy, or any other transfer of funds in which the original form of the asset was discontinued or a new asset was obtained. After you finish List D, put the total at the bottom of the page on line D of page 1. LIST E SCHEDULE OF LOSSES DURING THIS ACCOUNT PERIOD: • Write the details of sales with losses. This includes: 1) The date of sale 2) Purchaser (person sold to) 3) Description of what was sold 4) The amount lost (sale price minus fees and minus the value of the asset as reported in the previous Account or Inventory and Appraisement) Note: If you sold an asset at neither a gain for a loss, report the transaction and show a gain of zero in List C. • List other decreases to the Estate on List E and add them to the total at the bottom of the page. Decreases to the estate may include: 1) Decreases in value of assets 2) Loss of assets, and so forth Note: You should show increases or decreases in value of an asset if the value can be supported by documentation (such as a written appraisal, or when the market value is easily available, as for securities). In the case of real property, increases or decreases in value of an asset should be estimates based on the prevailing market conditions or the current property tax full-cash value should be used. For most assets other than investments or insurance, it is not necessary to adjust the value. You do not need to obtain appraisals (or otherwise incur unnecessary expenses) to adjust an asset’s value for an account. After you finish List e, put the total at the bottom of the page on line E of page 1. LIST F ENDING LIST OF ASSETS VALUE OF PROPERTY AT THE END OF ACCOUNT PERIOD: • List everything remaining in the Estate at the end of the account period. This is the value of all assets after all the transactions of the account have occurred. Note: List all assets that exist at the end of the account period in the same manner as instructed in List A. Superior Court of Arizona in Yavapai County Page 3 of 4 PBIP105i October 2012 After you finish List F, put the total at the bottom of the page on line F of page 1. GO BACK TO THE ACCOUNT SUMMARY: Now that you have completed Lists A through F, check to be sure you filled in the blanks on the Account Summary as follows: • Enter the beginning balance of the account from the total at the bottom of List A; • Add the money received from the total at the bottom of List B; • Add the gains on property from the total at the bottom of List C; • Subtract the money spent (disbursed) from the total at the bottom of List D; and • Subtract the losses on property from the total at the bottom of List E. • The total should be the same as the total you entered at the bottom of List F. COMMON ERRORS: Following are common errors found in Accounts. • Addition. The total at the bottom of each list must be the same as the amount you put on the Account Summary, page 1. Double-check all the totals on your lists. • Incorrect beginning balance. The beginning balance must match the ending balance of the previous Account or Inventory. If the ending balance of the previous Account or Inventory was wrong, use it anyway, and make corrections on List C for gains or List E for losses, and explain what you are doing. • Value of assets on List A and F. All valuable Estate assets should be included on both lists. • Bond increase. The bond should be set to cover the unrestricted assets plus the unrestricted income of one account period (generally one year). Often, the fiduciary fails to ask for bond increase when the Estate assets have increased from what they were the previous account period. • Unusual expenditures with no explanation will be questioned. If there has been an unusual expenditure, you should provide a written explanation along with the account. WHEN ORDERED BY THE COURT, ALL INSTRUCTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Superior Court of Arizona in Yavapai County Page 4 of 4 PBIP105i October 2012