A. Where a proceeding under this title could be maintained in more than one place in this state, the court in which the proceeding is first commenced has the exclusive right to proceed.

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Terms Used In Arizona Laws 14-1303

  • Court: means the superior court. See Arizona Laws 14-1201
  • Estate: includes the property of the decedent, trust or other person whose affairs are subject to this title as originally constituted and as it exists from time to time during administration. See Arizona Laws 14-1201
  • Person: means an individual or an organization. See Arizona Laws 14-1201
  • Proceeding: includes action at law and suit in equity. See Arizona Laws 14-1201
  • State: means a state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. See Arizona Laws 14-9101
  • Trust: includes an express trust, private or charitable, with any additions, wherever and however created. See Arizona Laws 14-1201
  • Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
  • Ward: means a person for whom a guardian has been appointed. See Arizona Laws 14-5101

B. If proceedings concerning the same estate, protected person, ward or trust are commenced in more than one county of this state, the court in the county in which the proceeding was first commenced shall continue to hear the matter, and the other courts shall hold the matter in abeyance until the question of venue is decided; and if the ruling court determines that venue is properly in another county, it shall transfer the proceeding to the other county.

C. If a court finds that in the interest of justice a proceeding or a file should be located in another county of this state, the court making the finding may transfer the proceeding or file to the other county.