Court-appointed protection for vulnerable individuals
Guardianship & Conservatorship
When a loved one can no longer manage their own affairs, guardianship and conservatorship provide a court-supervised framework for their care and finances.
When a Loved One Can No Longer Manage Their Own Affairs
When a parent develops dementia, or a young adult suffers a traumatic brain injury, someone needs the legal authority to make decisions on their behalf. If that person did not sign powers of attorney while they were still competent, the only path forward is a court proceeding. Guardianship covers personal and medical decisions. Conservatorship covers finances and property. The court can appoint the same person to both roles, or different people, and a professional fiduciary can step in if no family member is suitable.
Guardianship and conservatorship in Arizona typically cost $5,000 to $15,000 in legal and court fees and take 60 to 90 days. A simple Power of Attorney signed in advance avoids the entire process.
Why Advance Planning Is Almost Always the Better Path
Once a court case starts, a judge chooses who manages your affairs, and it may not be who you would have chosen. Filings become public record. The guardian or conservator must file annual reports and accountings with the court for the rest of the protected person's life. None of that is necessary if powers of attorney and a trust are signed before incapacity. We help families file petitions when there is no other option, and we help them plan ahead so the court process is never needed in the first place.
No family plans for guardianship. But when a loved one can no longer manage their own affairs, having the right team makes the difference between months of confusion and a clear path forward.
Who May Need This Service?
Guardianship and conservatorship serve people who need legal protection.
- Aging Parents. When a parent develops dementia or Alzheimer's and did not sign powers of attorney while competent.
- Adults with Disabilities. Individuals who have never been able to manage their own affairs may need a permanent guardian.
- Minor Children. Children who lose both parents need a court-appointed guardian to care for them.
- Families in Crisis. When a loved one is suddenly incapacitated by accident or illness and has no documents in place.
Your First Step Starts Here
At our live, free estate planning seminars across Phoenix and Tucson, we walk you through how to protect you and your loved ones from probate. We give you a step-by-step plan that's simple and clear. Sign up today for peace of mind tomorrow.
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Common Guardianship & Conservatorship Questions
Answers to the questions Arizona families ask most about guardianship & conservatorship.
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From the Blog
- What Happens to Your Family Without an Estate Plan in Arizona
Without powers of attorney, guardianship is often the only option. Here is what that path actually looks like.
- Special Needs Trust Arizona: The Complete Guide for Families
Often paired with a guardianship or conservatorship for adult children with disabilities.
- Successor Trustee & Trust Administration in Arizona: The Complete Guide
Why naming the right person, in advance, matters more than almost any other planning decision.
Glossary
- Guardianship
Court-appointed authority over an incapacitated person's housing, medical care, and daily welfare.
- Conservatorship
Court-appointed authority over an incapacitated person's finances, accounts, and property.
- Ward
An incapacitated person under the protection of a guardian.
- Protected Person
An incapacitated person whose finances are managed by a conservator.
- Guardian Ad Litem
An attorney appointed by the court to represent the interests of the alleged incapacitated person.
- Public Fiduciary
A county-appointed fiduciary who serves when no family member is available or appropriate.