Do I have to open an estate for a dead relative?

If you have a legal right to claim the property, and the value of all personal property is less than $75,000 or the value of the real property is less than $100,000, you may be able to file an affidavit for collection of all personal property or affidavit for transfer of title to real property. If value of the personal property exceeds $75,000 or the value of the real property exceeds $100,000, you may qualify for an informal probate. Forms for filing are available in some self-service centers and some superior courts. You may consult an attorney to determine if you have a legal right to the property or if the estate has to be probated and to help guard against undesired and unexpected consequences.
Resources:
•    Affidavit for transfer of real property
•    Affidavit for collection of all personal property
•    Maricopa County Probate cases webpage