Kathryn Leigh Warner

I am an Arizona attorney whose practice is focused on probate and trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships, estate planning, and probate and trust litigation. I also serve as a mediator in probate, trust, guardianship, and conservatorship disputes. My practice centers on helping individuals, families, and fiduciaries navigate legal matters that often involve complicated financial issues, difficult family dynamics, and significant personal responsibilities.

A substantial part of my practice involves representing personal representatives, trustees, guardians, conservators, and professional fiduciaries. I guide fiduciaries through the administration process, help them understand and comply with their legal duties, and work to identify potential problems before they develop into litigation. My probate and trust administration practice includes interpreting wills and trusts, obtaining appointment of personal representatives, advising successor trustees, addressing creditor claims, resolving beneficiary issues, preparing accountings, and completing distributions.

When disputes arise, I represent clients in contested probate, trust, guardianship, and conservatorship proceedings. My litigation experience includes fiduciary disputes, contested appointments, disputes involving estate and trust assets, challenges concerning administration, and other contested matters involving vulnerable adults and their property. I focus on practical litigation strategies and meaningful solutions, recognizing that prolonged litigation can significantly reduce the assets ultimately available to the parties.

My guardianship and conservatorship practice includes representing family members, private fiduciaries, and other interested parties in proceedings involving adults who may be unable to make responsible decisions regarding their personal or financial affairs. I also regularly serve in court-appointed roles in adult guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, giving me the opportunity to view these matters from several different perspectives.

I serve as a mediator in probate, trust, guardianship, and conservatorship disputes. My subject-matter experience allows me to quickly understand the legal and practical issues involved and help parties identify realistic options for resolving disagreements without the expense and uncertainty of continued litigation.

I also assist individuals and families with estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. My experience administering and litigating estates and trusts gives me a practical perspective when preparing estate plans because I have seen firsthand how planning decisions operate after incapacity or death.

I earned my law degree from Phoenix School of Law in 2011 and am licensed to practice in Arizona. I also serve as a Judge Pro Tempore for the Maricopa County Superior Court in probate settlement conferences and regularly participate in professional and continuing legal education activities within my practice areas.

My approach is straightforward: clients should understand what is happening, what their options are, and what I recommend. My goal is to provide practical advice, clear communication, and an efficient path toward resolution.