John R. Fitzpatrick, P.C.

John R. Fitzpatrick, P.C. Overview

John R. Fitzpatrick, P.C. is a probate, trust, and estate law firm located in Phoenix, Arizona that serves clients throughout the state. Practice areas include probate, estate, and trust disputes, guardianships and conservatorships, probate and intestate administration, and financial exploitation issues.

John R. Fitzpatrick has more than 25 years of experience helping clients plan for the unexpected. He has assisted individuals, families, and fiduciaries with financial issues that have arisen, whether complicated or simple, and stands up for clients’ rights in contentious disputes regarding assets and property distribution. Attorney Fitzpatrick is committed to keeping current on the complex and dynamic laws that affect estate matters in Arizona and advising clients so they can make well-informed decisions.

John R. Fitzpatrick works to protect clients’ assets and rights as well as plans for the future. He is dedicated to providing the individualized, responsive service while advising clients, guiding them through the legal system, and pursuing favorable results for their legal matters.

Languages: English

John R. Fitzpatrick, P.C. Areas of Law

Additional Areas of Law: Trusts; Intestate Succession; Financial Exploitation; Guardianships; Conservatorships; Revocable Trust; Irrevocable Trust; Estate Disputes; Probate Disputes; Trust Disputes; Incapacity; Undue Influence and Duress; Will Interpretation; Asset Distribution Disputes; Creditor Claims; Heirship Challenges; Omitted Spouse and Child Issues; Will Contest; Trust Validity Issues; Breach of Trust; Trust Interpretation; Intestate Administration; Probate Administration.

John R. Fitzpatrick, P.C. Areas of Law Description

– Will

When a person passes away and leaves a will, those named or not named in the will sometimes disagree with its terms. Such disagreements can lead to a Phoenix will dispute. Although this is often a difficult process for everyone involved, the numerous reasons for pursuing a dispute includes a reason to doubt the validity of the will, lack of testamentary capacity, fraud and undue influence.

– Estate and Probate Disputes

Once the probate process has started, several kinds of disputes can arise. Often, estate and probate disputes, more commonly thought of as “inheritance disputes,” involve a challenge to, or contest of, the will itself. There are many types of disputes, but among the most common are questions about whether the will, or a portion of it, is even valid, whether a relative left out of the will is entitled to any of the deceased person’s estate, and how to interpret the meaning of ambiguous words and phrases used in a will.

– Trust Disputes

As the use of family trusts as estate planning devices has increased, so has the number of disputes arising out of these trusts. Even trusts prepared by qualified counsel can give rise to disputes, but more often, problems arise by a trust prepared without the benefit of legal counsel.

– Financial Exploitation

It is an unfortunate truth that the financial exploitation of elders and adults who are vulnerable because of a physical or mental condition is becoming more and more common. This is especially true in Arizona, where so many seniors choose to retire.

– Guardianships & Conservatorships

John R. Fitzpatrick, his colleagues and staff are experienced in assisting clients with the administration of guardianships and conservatorships and in handling related disputes. In Arizona, A guardian is appointed by the Court to take care of an incapacitated adult or minor child (called a “ward”), make health care, education, and certain legal decisions on the person’s behalf.

– Probate Administration

In Arizona, “probate” is a term used for a variety of things, leading to considerable confusion. Technically, one probates a will by submitting it to the Court for approval. Although that definition is quite limited, confusion arises because the Arizona Superior Court refers to such cases, as well as all those involving trusts, intestacy, guardianship and conservatorship, as “probate” matters.

– Intestate Succession

When a person dies without a valid will, or if the will fails to distribute all of the property of the decedent, such person is said to have died “intestate.” In these situations and with rare exceptions, the decedent’s estate must still be handled through a Court process.

Lawyers

Mr. John R. Fitzpatrick Lawyer Estate Planning, Will and Probate