John Fitzpatrick - Lawyer in Phoenix, AZ

John R Fitzpatrick

Trusts Attorney at Phoenix, AZ

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Resume

Excellent Probate Lawyer

I was a client of John's, but I am also an attorney. John was referred to me by other attorneys and I am glad he was. My family was dragged into a difficult and complicated probate matter. Our access to John's wisdom, experience and knowledge proved to be the bright spot in a long and unpleasant matter. At all times I felt that John was looking out for our best interests, rather than finding more billable hours. Aside from being an excellent attorney, John is a good man. I came to trust him completely and value his advise. His counsel helped us deal with unpleasant people in an unpleasant situation in a way that got us to an acceptable resolution. I now refer to John for any difficult probate matters that I encounter. I would recomend him in the strongest possible terms to anyone who needs help in his areas of practice.

Good atty and good guy

About John

Learn John’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Trusts

35%

The number of disputes arising out of family trusts has increased with the increased use of trusts as estate planning devices. Problems most often arise by a trust prepared without the benefit of legal counsel. Regardless of the document's source, trustees have fiduciary duties to act in the best interest of the beneficiaries. Sometimes those duties are in conflict with each other; sometimes those duties conflict with the trustee's personal desires; and sometimes those duties are ambiguous.
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27 years
Litigation

30%

John Fitzpatrick handles litigation matters involving probate and trust disputes, contested guardianship and conservatorship matters, financial exploitation and elder abuse cases, and commercial and real estate controversies throughout Arizona. He also handles arbitration and mediation matters either as counsel or as the neutral. He enjoys a successful appellate practice as well.
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35 years
Probate

30%

Probate is a court process for passing one's estate to others. Inheritances can arise from a will, intestacy (absence of a will), non-probate transfers, or statutory benefits for spouses and children. Often there are disputes concerning one's will. The most common are questions about whether the will or an amendment thereof is valid, whether a relative left out of the will is entitled to a portion of the estate, and how to interpret the meaning of ambiguous words and phrases used in a will.
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27 years
Appeals

1%

John Fitzpatrick has handled a number of appeals throughout his career.

31 years
Elder law

1%

Elder law wncompases many things, but John limits his elder law practice to assisting the elderly in disputes over trust and estate matters, guardianship, consevatorship, powers of attorney issues, inheritance, and exploitation disputes.
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27 years
Guardianship

1%

In Arizona, A guardian is appointed by the Court to take care of a incapacitated adult or minor child (called a "ward"), make health care, education, and certain legal decisions on the person's behalf. A Guardian may also sue for injury to the Ward. A Conservator is a person appointed to handle the financial estate and affairs of one incapable of handling such affairs and finances (called a "protected person"). A conservator, for example, may sue and be sued on behalf of the protected person.
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27 years
Mediation

1%

John believes if mediaiton and arbitration as alternatives to standard dispute resolution through the courts. He has participated in many such proceedings as counsel for a party, and he has himself served as both mediator and as arbitrator.
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32 years
Wills and living wills

1%

John does not generally draft estate plan documents, but as a litigator in this area of law, he is well versed to advise as to dispute concerning the same. John also partners with some of the finest estate planning attorneys in Arizona.
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27 years

I strive to provide exceptional legal representation to clients throughout Arizona in connection with a variety of matters, including probate, estate and trust disputes, guardianship and conservatorship matters, probate, trust and intestate administration, and financial exploitation and elder abuse cases.

I have more than 22 years of legal experience, during which I have successfully assisted individuals, family groups and corporate fiduciaries with even the most complex and contentious disputes in wills and probate matters. In my continued efforts to remain at the forefront of the field, I am committed to keeping abreast of the complex and dynamic laws that govern estate matters in Arizona, including the recently enacted Arizona Trust Code, the Arizona Rules of Probate Procedure and recently amended Financial Exploitation Statutes. I enjoy a long-standing "AV Preeminent" Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer rating attainable, signifying preeminent legal ability and ethical standards.

Inheritance disputes and probate administration can prove to be some of the most difficult and stressful legal matters an individual may ever confront. For this reason, you need more than just an attorney – you need a trusted advisor. Combining the sophisticated capabilities of a very highly regarded law firm with close personal attention, I am dedicated to providing the individualized, responsive client service you deserve.

If you are or a loved one is being financially exploited, or need assistance with a probate or trust matter, an inheritance dispute, or a guardianship or conservatorship matter, please contact me at or

Licensed for 35 years

State AZ

Status Active

Acquired 1987

Updated 12/21/2022

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact John

Frazer, Ryan, Goldberg & Arnold, L.L.P.

3101 North Central Suite 1600

Phoenix, AZ, 85012

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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0

4 customer reviews

5 Star

100%

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

Posted by Jerry | February 12, 2010

Excellent Probate Lawyer

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Posted by ellen | February 12, 2010

Good atty and good guy

John handled a difficult and sensitive case for me with professionalism, compassion and expertise. Would and have recommended him to others.

Posted by Lana | February 10, 2010

John R. Fitzpatrick

I felt so fortunate to have met John and to have been able to use him as my attorney. I was faced with four separate suits: two of which he got immediately dismissed and the other two settled satisfactorily. I not only consider John to be a most knowledgeable and responsive attorney, but also a caring and compassionate person. I would consider him tops in his profession and would definitely use him again and recommend him highly.

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Posted by Michael | February 9, 2010

Pragmatic, Precise and Personal

John has been my counselor for over ten years. He has helped me cope with many difficult challenges. His practical and sage advice has always been the right stuff.

Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.3 (Superb)

Work Experience

Senior Partner
Frazer, Ryan, Goldberg & Arnold, LLP
1990 - Present

Education

Notre Dame Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
1987

Arizona State University
BS - Bachelor of Science
1984

Legal Cases

In re The Esther Caplan Trust
Affirmed as modified; Published Decision: 228 Ariz. 182, 265 P.3d 364 (Ariz. App. 2011).

In re Perry C. Redden Family Trust
Affirmed; Unpublished Decision

In the Matter of the Estate and Trust of Kenneth Petrine
Reversed; Unpublished decision: http://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/89/memod/PB/1CA-CV07-0701.pdf

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Associations

Executive Council, Probate and Trust Section, State Bar of Arizona
Council Member
2014 - Present

NAELA (National Association of Elder Law Attorneys)
Member
2009 - Present

State Bar of Arizona
Member
1987 - Present

Maricopa County Bar Association, Probate and Estate Section
Member
1987 - Present

Superior Court of Arizona
Judge Pro Tempore
2004 - 2005

Justice Courts of Arizona
Justice of the Peace, Pro Tempore
1995 - 1997

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Languages Spoken

English

Awards

Top Rated Attorney, Trusts & Estates
Martindale Hubbell and American Lawyer Media
2014

AV Peer Review Rating
Martindale-Hubbell
2014

Arizona's Finest Lawyers, Trust and Estates
AZFINESTLAWYERS.ORG
2011

Publications

Maricopa County Bar Association, Trust and Estate Section and Family Law Section
Divorce with Dead People--CLE Materials
2011

Speaking Engagements

Upcoming Seminar 10-7-2014
Probate Issues Confronting Trustees, Beneficiaries & Attorney-Client Privilege
2014

CLE by the Sea, Trust and Probate Track
Probate: A Practical Approach
2014

2014-2015 Kickoff Meeting
The Trustee's Attorney-Client Privilege
2014

Joint Session of the Family Law and Probate and Trust Sections of the Maricopa County Bar Association
The Intersection of Family Law and Probate
2011

Contuning Legal Education Seminar
Elder Law: Basics of Elder Law from A-Z
N/A

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Attorney endorsements

Received (7)

Given (8)

Endorse John

Christopher Hildebrand

Elder law Attorney | Jun 02
Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have had the pleasure of knowing John for over ten years. I have referred cases to John over the years because I know he is a great lawyer. I have always received great feedback from those clients I referred to him. As a result, I strongly endorse John."

Kent Berk

Probate Attorney | Sep 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have worked with John on probate and trust matters. John is a knowledgeable, thorough, professional and diligent attorney. I endorse this lawyer."

Ronald Adams

Lawsuits and disputes Attorney | Sep 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"We have always had great confidence in referring cases to John. If any of our clients are in need of good litigation counsel, John is our first choice."

Philip Whitaker

Probate Attorney | Sep 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known John for many years. He is a great lawyer and does a superb job."

Jay Adleman

Probate Attorney | Mar 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"John is an excellent attorney. He is dedicated to his clients, and provides reliable service with a great deal of integrity. I would highly recommend his services in the area of probate litigation as well as other commercial litigation."

Shawn Aiken

Probate Attorney | Mar 04
Relationship: Friend

"John is one of our city's fine lawyers (and good friend)."

Jerald Chesler

Probate Attorney | Mar 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. He is smart, efficient and proffessional. I regularly recomend him to lawyers and clients for complex probate and related matters. He is completely trustworthy and I am confident that anyone I send to him will be well taken care of. He has earned my trust and respect in a very difficult matter."

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