Intestate Succession in Arizona
State-specific overview · Estate & Probate
Arizona gives the entire estate to the surviving spouse if only the spouse survives, with no requirement to share with distant relatives.
How Arizona treats Intestate Succession
If the deceased leaves a spouse and no descendants, the spouse inherits everything. If children exist, the spouse receives half the community property and half the separate property, with children splitting the remainder. Arizona distinguishes between community property (earned during marriage) and separate property (owned before marriage or acquired by gift), applying different intestacy rules to each. The state follows the Uniform Probate Code framework.
The general definition of Intestate Succession
The legal process of distributing a deceased person's property when they leave no valid will.
If someone dies without a will (or with an invalid will), state law determines who inherits their property. Each state has a set order of priority—usually spouse first, then children, then parents, then siblings. The court appoints an administrator to manage the estate and follow these statutory rules, even if the deceased person's wishes were different.
Read the full Intestate Succession entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Arizona.