John R Fitzpatrick

PRO

John R Fitzpatrick

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 38 years

Trusts Lawyer at Phoenix, AZ
Practice Areas: Trusts, Probate, Litigation ... +4 more

3101 North Central Suite 1600, Phoenix, AZ

About John

Biography

when a case is decided wrong, or your opponent thinks so, you need an experienced appellate attorney

When estate and trust disputes land in court, you need an experienced trial attorney. Call me.

Probate has complicated procedures and substantive law, but also unfinished business. I can help.

Trusts can be complicated and disputes over them are challenging. I can help sort through the mess

I help individuals and companies in trust, probate and estate disputes. I can help you too.

When someone financially exploits the vulnerabilities of our older generation, get help immediately

I have helped settle numerous cases as a partisan and as a mediator. I can help you too.

Interpretting and enforcing rights under a will require expertise and diligence. I offer both.

Practice Areas

7

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.

30 years

35%
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.

38 years

30%
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.

30 years

30%
Elder Law 2%

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.

30 years

2%
Appeals 1%

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

34 years

1%
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.

35 years

1%
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.

30 years

1%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 375-375 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Arizona for 38 years

State: Arizona

Acquired: 1987

Active

No misconduct found

Location

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

3101 North Central Suite 1600, Phoenix, AZ, 85012

arizonaestatelitigation.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find John online.

John R Fitzpatrick's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

5 star (5)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Robert | November 13, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Honest Authenticity

John Fitzpatrick was a rare honest helpful attorney that did me the great favor or helping get a lawyer he respected in California to help me until I could hire him. He doesn't need to do anything other then speak his truth and if you need that level of honest authenticity then it would be hard to fi...nd anyone better at it than John R Fitzpatrick. Thank you John!

Posted by Jerry | February 12, 2010

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.

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 c...aring and compassionate person. I would consider him tops in his profession and would definitely use him again and recommend him highly.

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.

See All Client Reviews

John R Fitzpatrick's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse John
Christopher S Hildebrand headshot
Christopher Hildebrand

Elder law lawyer | 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 S Berk headshot
Kent Berk

Probate lawyer | 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 P Adams headshot
Ronald Adams

Lawsuits and disputes lawyer | 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 B Whitaker headshot
Philip Whitaker

Probate lawyer | 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 Ryan Adleman headshot
Jay Adleman

Probate lawyer | 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 K Aiken headshot
Shawn Aiken

Probate lawyer | Mar 04

Relationship: Friend

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

Jerald S Chesler headshot
Jerald Chesler

Probate lawyer | 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."

View All Endorsements
John Wiley Thomas headshot
John Thomas

Litigation lawyer

Kent S Berk headshot
Kent Berk

Probate lawyer

Christopher S Hildebrand headshot
Christopher Hildebrand

Divorce and separation lawyer

Wayne H Taylor headshot
Wayne Taylor

Probate lawyer

Jay Ryan Adleman headshot
Jay Adleman

Criminal defense lawyer

Shawn K Aiken headshot
Shawn Aiken

Litigation lawyer

Patrick Robert Moya headshot
Patrick Moya

Securities offerings lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2026

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2014

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

2014

AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2011

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

Work Experience

1990 - Present

Senior Partner, Frazer, Ryan, Goldberg & Arnold, LLP

Associations

2014 - Present

Executive Council, Probate and Trust Section, State Bar of Arizona

Council Member

2009 - Present

NAELA (National Association of Elder Law Attorneys)

Member

1987 - Present

State Bar of Arizona

Member

1987 - Present

Maricopa County Bar Association, Probate and Estate Section

Member

2004 - 2005

Superior Court of Arizona

Judge Pro Tempore

1995 - 1997

Justice Courts of Arizona

Justice of the Peace, Pro Tempore

Sample of 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

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

In re the Matter of the Estate of Margaret Mary Pascoe

Reversed; Unpublished Decision: http://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/OpinionFiles/Div1/2007/1%20CA-CV%2006-0296.PDF

In re the Matter of the Estate of Margaret Mary Pascoe

Reversed; Unpublished Decision: http://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/OpinionFiles/Div1/2007/1%20CA-CV%2006-0296.PDF

Frazer, Ryan, Goldberg, Keyt and Lawless v. Smith

Affirmed; Published Opinion: 184 Ariz. 181, 907 P.2d 1384 (Ariz. App. 1995)

See More Legal Cases

Education

1987

Notre Dame Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1984

Arizona State University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2014

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

2011

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

N/A

Contuning Legal Education Seminar

Elder Law: Basics of Elder Law from A-Z

Publications

2011

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

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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