Detailed answer — your rights and practical steps under Arizona law

When someone who is (or who seeks to be) the personal representative (administrator) of an estate refuses to give heirs, beneficiaries, or potential creditors information about assets and estate documents, Arizona law provides several routes to get access and to protect the estate. The key point: beneficiaries and interested persons generally have a right to basic estate information and to a formal accounting from the personal representative. If that information is withheld, you can both request it informally and seek court enforcement.

1. Confirm the administrator’s official status

If the proposed administrator has not yet been appointed by the probate court, the court may not empower that person to act. If the person is already appointed as the personal representative, Arizona probate rules require certain duties and disclosures. For background on Arizona probate law, see Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 14 (Trusts, Estates and Protective Proceedings): https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=14. For practical probate guidance, the Arizona Judicial Branch provides self-help resources: https://www.azcourts.gov/selfservice/Probate.

2. Know the core legal rights that apply

• Interested persons (heirs, devisees, beneficiaries, some creditors) generally have a right to notice of probate proceedings and access to information about estate administration.
• The personal representative has duties to identify, collect, preserve and account for estate assets. That includes preparing inventories and accountings for the court and interested parties.
• If the personal representative refuses to provide required records or otherwise breaches duties, the court can compel production, order an accounting, remove the personal representative, and award damages or surcharge for losses.

3. Step-by-step response you can take

1. Ask in writing. Send a written, dated request to the administrator asking for a list of assets, the inventory, accountings, bank statements, custody receipts, insurance policies, and tax filings. Send it by certified mail and keep copies. A written demand creates a record showing you asked first.
2. Use the probate clerk. Confirm whether a probate case is open and whether the person is the court-appointed personal representative. Public court files often contain petitions, letters testamentary/letters of appointment, inventories, and accountings once filed. Contact the probate clerk for the county where the decedent lived or where a petition was filed; the Arizona Courts site has links and information: https://www.azcourts.gov/selfservice/Probate.
3. File a motion or petition in probate court. If the informal request fails, an interested person can ask the probate court to compel production of records or to order the personal representative to file an inventory or accounting. Common petitions include: a petition to compel inventory/accounting, a motion to compel production of documents, or a petition to remove a personal representative for failure to perform duties.
4. Request an accounting. Arizona probate procedure requires accountings and allows interested persons to demand them. If the personal representative does not file proper accountings, you can object to the lack of accounting and move the court to require one.
5. Seek removal or surcharge for misconduct. If the administrator misappropriated assets, failed to preserve assets, or engaged in misconduct, you can petition the court to remove the personal representative and for a surcharge (financial penalty) or restitution against the personal representative for losses to the estate.
6. Consider immediate protective steps. If you fear dissipation of assets, you can ask the court to appoint a special or successor personal representative, or to freeze certain accounts temporarily. The court has equitable powers to protect estate assets.
7. Report possible criminal conduct. If you have clear evidence of theft, fraud, or embezzlement, you can report the conduct to local law enforcement or the county attorney. Criminal prosecution is separate from civil probate remedies.

4. What courts can order and what remedies are available

The probate court can:

• Order the personal representative to file inventories, accountings, and to produce documents to interested persons.
• Remove or replace the personal representative for failure to fulfill duties.
• Surcharge or hold the personal representative personally liable for misapplied estate assets.
• Award attorney fees and costs from estate assets when permitted by statute or court rule if a party prevails in a contested matter.

5. Evidence to gather

When you proceed, collect every relevant fact and record: your written requests and delivery proof, any communications from the proposed administrator, bank or brokerage statements you can obtain, copies of wills or beneficiary designations you have, property deeds, appraisals, and any records showing asset transfers. This documentation helps the court decide whether the administrator is withholding information improperly or harming the estate.

6. Timing and urgency

Act promptly. Delays can let assets be moved or depleted. Probate courts will act faster if you show immediate risk to estate property or evidence of misappropriation. If you need fast protection, ask the court for emergency relief (e.g., temporary freeze, appointment of a special administrator).

7. Hiring an attorney

Probate disputes often turn on procedure and evidentiary rules. An Arizona probate attorney can draft the correct petition, represent you at hearings, and advise whether to pursue civil remedies, removal, or criminal referral. If you cannot afford counsel, some counties have legal aid or limited-scope assistance for probate matters; the Arizona Courts self-help pages can point you to resources.

Helpful hints — practical checklist to get estate records and protect your rights

1. Send a clear written request: list the documents you want (inventory, accounting, bank statements, deeds, insurance, tax returns). Use certified mail and keep proof of delivery.
2. Check public probate filings at the county probate clerk. File numbers and orders tell you who is appointed and what has been filed.
3. Keep detailed notes of phone calls and in-person conversations (date, time, who said what).
4. Ask the court clerk how to file a petition to compel production or to request an accounting and follow local rules for filings and service.
5. If you suspect asset transfers to insiders, ask the court for a temporary restraining order or appointment of a special administrator to preserve assets while the court considers the dispute.
6. Be aware the personal representative may have authority to act legitimately — but that authority does not give license to hide or steal assets.
7. Explore whether the estate will pay attorney fees if the court finds the administrator acted improperly; sometimes the estate can compensate a successful challenger for reasonable fees.
8. Document everything and move quickly if you see signs of fraud or waste.

Sample short written demand you can adapt

“I am an interested person in the estate of [decendent]. Please provide, within 14 days of receipt, a copy of the estate inventory, the current accounting, and copies of statements for any bank, brokerage, or safe-deposit accounts held for the estate. Please also provide copies of any wills, trusts, deeds, or outstanding contracts that relate to estate assets.”

Send it certified mail and keep a copy.