Source: https://berklawgroup.com/creditors-claims-in-arizona-probate/
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 02:04:25+00:00

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When an estate is administered in probate, the personal representative of the estate is held accountable to the beneficiaries and creditors. So, during the administration of the estate, the personal representative has to address both creditor’s claims and the rights of beneficiaries.
Although the creditors are not named in the will, the rights of the creditors are vital to the proper distribution and settlement of the estate. The personal representative should be aware of how creditor’s claims are handled in probate. Consulting an experienced Arizona probate attorney can help assess the situation to create a plan for dealing with creditor’s claims, and settling and closing the estate.
ARS §§14-3801 through 3816 lay out the steps and rules involved when dealing with creditor’s claims in an Arizona probate. Depending upon the circumstances, the steps to resolve creditor’s claims can be confusing and complicated. This article provides a general overview and does not address all of the nuances involved in this part of Arizona probate administration.
The first step involves notifying the creditors of the appointment of the personal representative and giving other information. Any known creditors of the deceased must be notified directly in writing.
If a creditor is given proper notice and does not present a claim by the applicable deadline, the creditor’s claim is forever barred.
The statue contains an important provision granting personal representatives reprieve from mistakes in the notification process: a shield from personal liability for failure to properly notify creditors. ARS §14-3801(c) states, “the personal representative is not liable to a creditor or to a successor of the decedent for giving or failing to give notice under this section.” This shield gives the personal representative the ability to follow the rules to the best of his or her ability without being held personally responsible for failing to give notice. The estate may still be held responsible for a debt that is not barred because notice was not given, but at least personal representatives know they are not.
Speaking to your trusted Arizona probate attorney can protect the rights of the estate and help resolve creditor’s claims.
Claims against the estate arising at or after the decedent’s death.
Whether the claim arises before or after the death of the decedent, a creditor has a limited amount of time to present a claim.
Two years after the decedent’s death plus the time remaining in the period commenced by an actual or published notice pursuant to § 14-3801, subsection A or B.
The time prescribed by § 14-3801, subsection B for creditors who are given actual notice and within the time prescribed in § 14-3801, subsection A for all creditors barred by publication.
Claims arising after the decedent’s death are usually contracts made with the personal representative of the estate. Under ARS §14-3803(C)(1), a claim based upon such a contract must be presented “within four months after performance by the personal representative is due.” Typically, the personal representative’s “performance” is payment to the creditor (such as a vendor or service provider). So, a creditor who has a claim based upon a contract with the personal representative must submit the claim within four months of when the personal representative was supposed to make payment or render other performance (e.g. transfer property) to the creditor.
Sometimes, there claims arise after the death of the decedent other than based upon a contract with the personal representative. For those claims, under ARS §14-3803(C)(2), the creditor must present a claim within four months after it arises or “two years after the decedent’s death plus the time remaining in the period commenced by an actual or published notice pursuant to § 14-3801, subsection A or B,” whichever is later.
Again, conflicts between creditors and the estate’s personal representative can create confusion and will sometimes even lead to litigation. It may take a careful analysis to determine whether the creditor’s claim was timely presented or is otherwise proper.
Whether the claim arose before or after the death of the decedent, a creditor must properly present a claim within the applicable deadline; otherwise the claim is barred. There are two ways for a creditor to present a claim, as described in ARS §14-3804.
First, the creditor “may deliver or mail to the personal representative a written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the name and address of the claimant and the amount claimed. The claim is deemed presented on receipt of the written statement of claim by the personal representative.” If the written notice of claim does not include a demand for payment or explain the basis of the claim, the claim may be subject to rejection.
If a written statement of claim is timely and properly submitted to the personal representative, but is disallowed by the personal representative, the creditor has the right to present the claim in court to have a judge decide whether the claim is valid and should be paid. The creditor has sixty days after the mailing of the notice of disallowance to file a lawsuit against the personal representative on the claim.
Second, as an alternative to initially submitting a written statement of claim to the personal representative, the creditor may simply file a lawsuit against the personal representative seeking the court’s determination of whether the claim is valid and should be paid by the estate. If a lawsuit was already pending at the time of the decedent’s death, it is not necessary for the creditor to start a new lawsuit.
Reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last illness of the decedent, including compensation of persons attending him.
Debts and taxes with preference under the laws of this state.
While this section is fairly straightforward, questions and disputes may arise. Also, the Arizona statutes include detailed instructions on the classes of creditor’s claims, such as secured and unsecured debts and liquidated or unliquidated claims. Please review those provisions with your probate attorney if you have any questions as to how to handle particular claims. Please review all of the statutes governing creditor’s claims, ARS §§14-3801 through 14-3816, and cases applying and interpreting those statutes for further information.
Although the general rule states that the personal representative of the estate is shielded from individual liability, there are certain instances where the shield does not apply.
A personal representative who enters into a contract in such capacity solely obligates the estate and not the personal representative individually, unless the contract provides otherwise. So, where the personal representative wants to enter a contract for the benefit of the estate, it is generally a good idea for the personal representative to sign the contract as, “Jane Smith, Personal Representative of the Estate of John Smith.” Obviously, the personal representative should also carefully read the contract to ensure that it does not include any provision holding the representative individually/personally responsible.
As to claims other than those arising from a contract entered by the personal representative, ARS §14-3808(A) states, in part, “A personal representative is individually liable for obligations arising from ownership or control of the estate or for torts committed in the course of administration of the estate only if he is personally at fault.” So, for example, if the personal representative is driving a vehicle owned by the estate while delivering a television set that is also owned by the estate in order to sell it and causes a traffic accident, the estate and personal representative, individually, would probably be liable.
Creditors have rights against the estate, but creditors must adhere to specific rules and deadlines or face the disallowance of their claims. For the personal representative, it is important to properly administer the estate and understand and comply with the rules governing creditor’s claims, both for the benefit of the estate and creditors of the estate.
For more information on the process, limitations, and deadlines for dealing with creditor’s claims in probate or any other probate, trust or estate issues, please reach out to speak to an attorney at our experienced and caring Arizona probate law office. A knowledgeable Arizona probate attorney can help you understand the duties and responsibilities of administering an estate and fulfilling your obligations as a personal representative in Arizona.

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