Detailed Answer — How appointment works in Arizona

Short answer: possibly. In Arizona, a court appoints a personal representative (sometimes called an executor) to wind up a deceased person's affairs. Whether you can be appointed depends on three main things:

1. Did your sister leave a will naming a personal representative? If so, the court usually appoints the person named in the will unless that person is clearly unfit or cannot serve. The court gives strong weight to the decedent's choice.
2. If there is no will, who has priority under Arizona law? Arizona law establishes a priority list of people who may be appointed when a person dies intestate (without a will). Priority typically favors the surviving spouse, then children, parents, and then more distant relatives. Siblings can be appointed, but only if higher-priority relatives are unavailable, unwilling, or unsuitable. That means you may be appointed for your sister's estate if there is no will naming someone else and no surviving spouse, adult children, or parents who will serve.
3. Are you legally qualified to serve? Courts require personal representatives to be adults with capacity. Certain people may be disqualified (for example by incapacity or sometimes conviction of certain crimes). The court also looks at practical issues — whether you live within reach, whether you can manage the estate duties, whether you can post a bond if required, and whether any beneficiaries object.

Arizona probate law and court procedures govern the appointment process. The relevant statutory framework is in Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 14 (Trusts, Estates and Protective Proceedings): https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=14. For practical court procedures and local requirements, see the Arizona Courts probate self-help page: https://www.azcourts.gov/selfhelp/Probate.

Typical steps to become the personal representative

1. Locate the original will (if there is one). If your sister left a will that names you, the person who holds the will or you should file it with the probate court in the county where she lived.
2. File a petition for probate / appointment. Someone (the nominated person, a family member, or an interested party) files a petition with the county probate court asking the court to admit the will and appoint a personal representative, or to appoint a representative if there is no will.
3. Notice and potential objections. The court requires notice to heirs and interested parties. Those people can object to your appointment and the court will resolve disputes at a hearing.
4. Bond and duties. The court may require a bond (insurance) to protect the estate unless the will waives bond or beneficiaries agree to waive it. Once appointed and issued Letters of Personal Representative, you will collect assets, pay debts and taxes, and distribute the estate according to the will or Arizona intestacy rules.
5. Close the estate. After completing administration (inventory, creditor notices, distributions), you ask the court to close the estate and discharge you.

Practical issues specific to siblings

• If your sister had a surviving spouse or children, they often have higher priority to serve than a sibling.
• If your sister named someone else in a will, a court will usually honor the nomination unless there is a good reason not to (incapacity, conflict, unavailability).
• If you and other heirs disagree about appointment or estate administration, the dispute can require hearings and increase legal costs.

If you want to move forward, start by locating any will and the original death certificate, then contact the probate clerk in the county where your sister lived. The Arizona Courts site provides forms and instructions: https://www.azcourts.gov/selfhelp/Probate. For the statutory framework for appointment and duties, consult Title 14 of the Arizona Revised Statutes: https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=14.

Disclaimer: This information is educational and not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Arizona attorney.

Helpful Hints — Steps and tips if you want to be appointed

• Look for the original will (if any) and any handwritten notes about funeral wishes or nominations.
• Gather key documents: death certificate, bank statements, titles, deeds, and insurance policies.
• Contact the county probate clerk to learn filing requirements and local forms.
• Talk with likely heirs early. If everyone agrees you should serve, they can sign waivers of bond or written consents, which simplifies the process.
• Be prepared to post a bond unless the will or beneficiaries waive it.
• Keep careful records and separate estate funds in a dedicated estate bank account.
• Consider whether the estate qualifies for a simplified or small-estate process; Arizona has streamlined procedures that may avoid full probate in some cases—check the Arizona Courts site for details: https://www.azcourts.gov/selfhelp/Probate.
• Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for the estate from the IRS for banking and tax filing.
• If the estate is contested or complex, hire a probate attorney who practices in Arizona to avoid costly mistakes.