Probate Forms Training (Graham)

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.

Probate Forms Training (Graham) 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 Probate Forms Training (Graham)

Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Probate Forms Training (Graham):

• 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 Probate Forms Training (Graham) 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 Probate Forms Training (Graham), 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 Probate Forms Training (Graham) 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 Probate Forms Training (Graham) 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?

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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 Probate Forms Training (Graham), and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.

Probate Forms Training (Graham) 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 Probate Forms Training (Graham) 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.

Probate Forms Training (Graham) 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 Probate Forms Training (Graham). You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.

PROBATE FORMS TRAINING PB-4 VERSION 02/26/2015-PB4 This program was developed under grant number SJI-11-E-008 from the State Justice Institute. The points of view expressed are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the State Justice Institute This program is designed to provide you with an overview of the standardized forms. After viewing this program you will be able to determine: •Which forms are required of the fiduciary by the courts •How each form is used to report different financial information •Where to obtain the forms And •How to submit the forms By state statute and supreme court rule, a conservator is required to file an annual report to the court that provides an account of the status of the protected person’s finances. Until recently, courts across the state have required varying formats for providing this information. In June 2011, the Committee on Improving Judicial Oversight and Processing of Probate Matters recommended standardized conservator account forms to bring uniformity and comparability to judicial oversight of conservatorships. These standardized forms will give the judge and other interested parties a financial status of the conservatorship; they allow the court to view, in one document, last year’s account information, this year’s account information and the plan for the coming year. Starting on September 1, 2012, all new conservatorship cases are required to use these standardized forms. If you are an existing conservator as of September 1, 2012, you should receive an order from the court after you file your next account indicating when you will be required to begin using the standard forms. The form a conservator is required to file depends on the phase of the conservatorship. The form technically is just a cover sheet providing information such as the case number, the name of the conservator and protected person, and a listing of the specific documents the conservator is required to file which comprises the conservator’s account to the court. Unless the court waives the requirement, every conservator is required to file the Conservatorship Estate Budget, Form 5 at the beginning of their appointment. This first budget covers only the first nine months of the conservatorship. In subsequent accounts, the conservatorship estate budget will include a full 12-month period. After the completion of the first account reporting period, the conservator will file Form 6, the First Conservator’s Account. This account covers the first 9 months of the conservatorship. For the second and subsequent account reporting periods, the conservator will file Form 7, the Conservator’s Account. The conservator will continue to use Form 7 until the conservatorship ends. When the conservatorship terminates, the conservator will be required to file one last account, known as Form 8, the Final Conservator’s Account. In certain situations, the Court may allow the conservator to use a simplified form, known as Form 9, the Simplified Conservator’s Account. This form does not require as much information as the typical conservator’s account, and is designed for smaller estates or estates with limited financial transactions. Even though the account forms are given a distinct form number, the actual schedules and worksheets the conservator must complete for each account reporting period are essentially the same. The only difference is that certain columns within each schedule may not need to be filled out, depending on which account you are filing with the court. The schedules are formatted so you know which columns you need to complete. With each account, you will be required to complete up to three supporting schedules. Each schedule represents different aspects of the conservatorship. The first schedule, Schedule 1: Statement of Receipts and Disbursements, summarizes the receipts and disbursements of the conservatorship. With this schedule, you are informing the court what money came into the estate and what money went out during the account reporting period. The second schedule, Schedule 2: Statement of Net Assets & Reconciliation, provides the court a summary of the value of the estate. For this form you will summarize the information you initially provided in the inventory. In subsequent accounts, you will be required to update certain inventory values. The last schedule, Schedule 3: Statement of Sustainability of Conservatorship, provides information to the court about how long the protected person’s estate will last before it runs out of money to support the protected person’s needs. In other words, you are indicating to the court whether or not the estate is sufficient to cover the protected person’s expenses for the duration of the conservatorship. If, after calculating the estimated years of sustainability, you find the protected person’s assets do not cover the total cost of care and services, the conservatorship is considered not sustainable. You must report this to the court on Schedule 3, along with your management plan going forward. This management plan must explain how you will protect and preserve the protected person’s estate for as long as possible. As you complete the schedules, you may have information that does not fit into any of the specified line items. If so, you need to report that information as an “other” item on the schedule. Any time you have to report an “other” item (such as other receipts, other disbursements for the protected person, or other general assets), you must complete a worksheet to list the item(s). For each schedule, there is a separate worksheet to provide this additional information. For Schedule 1, you would complete Worksheet A to show supporting detail for any other receipts, other disbursements for the protected person, or other administrative fees and costs. For Schedule 2, you would complete Worksheet B if you have other general assets or other money- denominated assets to report. You would also use Worksheet B to list any bills and payables more than 30 days old, as well as any other debts owed by the protected person. For Schedule 3, you would complete Worksheet C if there are any adjustments to the value of net assets, or adjustments to net income, or expenses that impact the value of the estate going forward. For example, you would enter as a positive value any new and significant assets that you expect to come into the conservatorship in the next account reporting period, such as an inheritance or a personal injury award. You would enter as a negative value any assets that need to be used to satisfy any planned, one- time, significant expense such as a one-time medical cost or a large repair to the protected person’s home. The forms will be available in Excel format and as fill-able PDF documents. If you complete the schedules and worksheets electronically, using either format, formulas are included to perform the required calculations and to automatically enter some information. If you do not complete the forms electronically, you can print either the Excel version or PDF version to complete the form by hand. Excel & PDF •Available to complete by hand Or •Complete electronically •Automatically calculates •Carries information over After you have completed the required schedules and worksheets, review all the documentation to ensure you have not left out any information. Remember, if you do not have any information to report in a certain category, enter a 0 on that line. $0 $120,000 $45,000 $0 Once you have double checked your documentation, complete the form cover sheet and sign the conservator’s certification at the bottom of the coversheet page. By signing the certification, you are acknowledging to the court that you have read and reviewed the accompanying schedules, worksheets and any other supporting details you are providing, and that you have a good faith belief the information is true, accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge. Jane Doe 1/31/2012 You will file the account form with the Clerk of the Court or Probate Registrar of the court that appointed you as conservator. You must also provide copies of the account to all interested parties. With each account, you will be required to provide other documentation in addition to the required schedules and worksheets. For example, a Form 10 may also be required if the court orders a restriction on the use of the protected person’s bank account or accounts. Form 10 is known as the Proof of Restricted Account form. When you file Form 5 you will need to also file an Inventory. Additionally, when you file your final account, Form 8, you will need to file a Statement of Asset Distribution. Once the court issues your letters of conservatorship you should begin recording receipts and disbursements. A good practice for doing this is to use a Transaction Log. Additionally, a new transaction log should be started for each account reporting period the day following the prior account reporting’s closing. This will also make completing Schedule 1 much easier if you already have the transaction information documented. There may also be occasions when you will have to file an amended budget. Pursuant to the Rules of Probate Procedure, a conservator shall file an amended budget within 30 days after projecting that any expenditure for any budget category will exceed 10 percent or $2,000 of the original budgeted amount, whichever is the greater of the two values. While these documents are required to be filed with the court, their format is not mandated. However, for your convenience there are optional forms provided for these reports on the Judicial Branch website at www.azcourts.gov/probate . Here are some good practices to keep in mind during your Conservatorship. Keep Your Records - As conservator, you must maintain accurate and complete records of the financial activity for the protected person. It is important to save copies of all the forms, schedules and other required documentation you file with the court. You may need to refer to this information later if the court has a question about the information you provided, and you will need to use most of the information again in future accounts. Remember Confidentiality – Except for the form cover sheet, please remember that all other account documentation is considered confidential and not available for public inspection. Therefore, when filing confidential documents, place the original document in an envelope that bears the case name and number, the name of the document being filed, the name of the party filing the document, and the label “Confidential Document.” Refer to Instructions – If this is your first time serving as a conservator, we understand there is a lot of information you have to familiarize yourself with. Remember to refer to your instructions when completing the account forms. You may also find it helpful to review the definitions contained in the first section of your instruction booklet. In addition to the instructions, on the Probate website, located at www.azcourts.gov/probate, you will find additional useful information to assist you in learning more about your role and responsibilities as conservator. In fact, you will find the various conservator account forms on the Probate website. From this site you can select the specific form you need to complete, along with the instructions associated with that particular form. Thank you for viewing this training video. The welfare of the protected person is of utmost importance to the court. Please remember to view the page on the Judicial Branch website devoted to Probate for additional information and resources. Certificate of Completion By virtue of accessing this on-line program and printing and submitting this certificate for the training module Forms Overview The user attests to viewing the program in its entirety. Arizona State Supreme Court Printed Name Signature Date