Probate Administration · Estate Marshalling
Estate Marshalling: What It Is and How Personal Property Fits In
Estate marshalling is the process of identifying, securing, and inventorying all assets of the estate. Here’s how the personal property inventory fits into the broader estate administration process — and why it matters for probate attorneys and fiduciaries.
What Is Estate Marshalling?
Estate marshalling refers to the process a personal representative undertakes to identify, locate, and secure all of the decedent’s assets. It is one of the primary duties imposed on a personal representative under Arizona law — preceding distribution to heirs and payment of creditors.
Marshalling includes real property, financial accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, vehicles, and — critically — personal property. A complete, accurate estate cannot be administered without a complete accounting of all personal property in the home and elsewhere.
Personal Property in the Context of Probate
Personal property — household contents, furnishings, jewelry, art, collectibles, vehicles, and other tangible assets — is frequently the most labor-intensive component of estate marshalling. Unlike financial accounts (which have statements) and real property (which has title), personal property requires physical presence, documentation, and valuation of potentially hundreds of individual items.
Under A.R.S. § 14-3706, the personal representative must prepare a complete inventory within 90 days of appointment — assigning fair market values, noting community vs. separate property status, and documenting any encumbrances.
Why Attorneys and Fiduciaries Rely on Professional Inventory Services
Probate attorneys and licensed fiduciaries throughout Maricopa County regularly engage professional personal property services for estate marshalling because:
- The process is time-intensive and requires physical presence at the property
- Professional documentation is more defensible than a self-prepared inventory
- Accurate fair market values require market knowledge and research
- Chain-of-custody documentation is essential for fiduciary accountability
- Photo and video documentation protects all parties against future disputes
Our Role in Estate Marshalling
At Unbiased Options, we work as an extension of the probate attorney or fiduciary team. We provide room-by-room documentation, fair market valuation, community/separate property designation, disposition coordination, and complete chain-of-custody reporting — in a format that meets the standards of Maricopa County probate practice.
We bill hourly, deliver within your timeline, and communicate regularly with the attorney or fiduciary of record.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re managing an Arizona probate estate or preparing a property for sale from out of state, we’re ready to help. Free consultations. No obligation.