Free 30 Minute Consultation 602-663-9263

Guardianship and Conservatorship Attorney Makes Sure Your Dependents are Provided For

Name: John Even
Address: 1221 East Osborn Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85014
Telephone: 602-277-7000
Price range: Free 30 Minute Consultation
Rating: 4.9

Arizona trust and estate lawyer helping you protect your family

When devising your estate plan, the care of your children is likely your foremost concern. John Even can provide you with sound advice and professional assistance with crucial decisions about the financial support, protection, and guardianship of your children.

Choosing a Guardian for Your Child

It is appropriate to select and name a guardian who will raise your children according to your parental philosophies. You should be aware that sometimes the court may reject a guardian who it finds is unwilling or unable to care for your child. I, therefore, suggest that you name an alternative guardian who can step into the role if your primary guardian choice is unavailable or rejected by the court. I also recommend that you thoroughly discuss your decision with your chosen guardian to make sure the guardian is willing and prepared to accept the full responsibility of caring for your child as you wish.

Caring for an Incapacitated Adult

I can help you arrange for the care of an elderly parent or disabled adult. I can assist you in the process to have yourself, or another concerned and qualified loved one, appointed as conservator. I can also guide you in choosing a professional conservator to manage your loved one’s financial needs responsibly for their best interests.

Importance of a Making a Will

Having named a guardian for your children is especially important if you are a single parent or in case both parents die at the same time. If you have not named a guardian for your children, the court appoints the guardian for your children — and may make a very different decision about that than you would have. Assert your right to make such parenting decisions and have them enforced by drafting a will — and updating it if the guardian you have designated dies or becomes incapacitated.

Principled and Sensitive Advocacy During Adversarial Proceedings

Parents who have lived independently are often resistant to having their adult children care for them, even as the infirmities of old age set in. If you see an urgent need to assume authority over an aging parent or other relative for their own good, you may have to petition the court to be appointed as a conservator of your loved one’s person and estate. Your loved one is entitled to counsel to oppose you. If such circumstances arise, you can trust in my experience, professionalism, and sensitivity, as we proceed with the legal process. My goal is not only to win the appointment, but as much as possible, to impress upon your parent the loving motivations for your actions.

Executing a Trust to Benefit a Special Needs Adult

If you are the responsible party in the life of an incapacitated adult, your estate plan should include a special needs trust to provide financial assistance after your passing. Leaving money directly to a person who receives Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits could make them ineligible for assistance. By creating a trust, you ensure a consistent income stream that eases their financial burdens without jeopardizing their eligibility for these governmental benefits. Your estate plan can also include provisions for requesting that the court appoint a conservator for your loved one at your passing.

Guardianship/Conservatorship

John has assisted many Arizona families in navigating through the court process when a loved one becomes incapacitated and is in need of a guardian or conservator through the court to manage his or her care and finances. However, he can not only provide guidance in these court proceedings, but he also provides planning in advance of an incapacity to avoid the need for court intervention in the event of a disability. With a larger and larger number of our State’s population facing Alzheimer’s/dementia issues today, you count count on him to be your advocate in any planning or court proceedings.

Are you worried about mom’s or dad’s capacity? I’ve put together a resource for you, “What is a Guardian and Conservator and When Does Dad Need One?” Click the button below to access the resource:

Click Here to Request the Resource

Contact a thorough estate planning lawyer

John Even serves clients in Phoenix and throughout Arizona. Call me at 602-663-9263 or contact me online to schedule a consultation at my Phoenix office.

Testimonials

"Thank you for my peace of mind, knowing that my estate and medical attention are in place for my children to handle easily. I appreciate your expertise covering areas I was unaware I should address. John and his staff were very professional and efficient in my estate amendment. I highly recommend this office." -Chris February 28, 2025
"One of the best decisions I ever made was selecting John Even to oversee settlement of my mom’s estate/trust. His wisdom and insight on reaching a positive outcome for each family member was priceless. Without his patient encouragement over three years, I would have settled for a bad compromise early on. Each meeting was concise and educational. John only proposed a meeting when necessary, saving our estate thousands of dollars. " -Bradley December 03, 2024
"It was a pleasure to work with Attorney John B. Even and his excellent legal assistant, Emily, and paralegal, Jacqueline. This competent team seamlessly worked to develop our Will and Family Trust. Mr. Even patiently explained each document to us. John is a knowledgeable and compassionate attorney with a deep understanding of the law and a great ability to clearly explain complex legal issues. " -Rita November 22, 2024
"I enjoyed working with him and his team - everybody was delightful, and they made the process very easy. John is warm and friendly, impressively knowledgeable and explained all the details in simple terms for me to understand. I now have peace of mind about how my assets will be distributed and wishes will be carried out and know that my loved ones won't be burdened by debate, hassle, or financial hardship if I ever end up incapacitated." -Mirelle April 18, 2024
"We have known John Even for many years. So, I will say that he was our first choice. I get many advertisements in the mail for trusts and estate planning and at various prices. I called a few of them. We stayed with John for several reasons. He had a flat fee with us. So there was NO chance of getting billed extra hours for this and that. Which is often the cast once you sign on the dotted line. John was very explanatory about the process of setting up a trust, He looked at all our information. our children, accounts, and many things I had never considered. This was what I needed to get clear on the whole process. " -Thomas January 28, 2024
"Attorney Even and his staff are professional, personable, responsive, and clearly expert in the estate planning world. The time spent gathering our information allowed Mr. Even to produce thoughtful, custom documentation that will serve us well. The print and electronic versions of our records that were provided will make maintaining them, and sharing them as appropriate, very easy...a real plus." -Larrh January 24, 2024
"Our Estate Planning journey with John B. Even and his team was a “5 Star” experience! John’s character, values, and knowledge was evident throughout the entire process. John and his team listened carefully to our wishes, and yet, asked great questions to help us collaborate on exactly the right Estate Plan. We would highly recommend John and his team!" -Rob & Terri September 25, 2023
"Once I made my initial call to Mr. Even‘s office I never looked back – great decision! His staff is courteous, caring and efficient. Mr. Even is professional, highly knowledgeable, good listener and adviser. I highly recommend Mr. Even. It is a privilege to have him on my team!" -Trusts & Estates May 14, 2018
"John is an excellent wordsmith, and did a great job of putting my thoughts, ideas, and issues into a clear legal document. I have known and worked with him for 25 years on business issues, including business purchases, of two companies and then selling them for retirement. He is also a delightful person to work with and has an excellent group of to-workers." -Estate Planning May 3, 2018
"He was willing to spend time explaining things." -Estate Planning February 24, 2018

Reviews and Ratings

5.0/5.0

I have known John Even professionally for 20+ years and he displays the highest level of integrity and honesty in serving his clients.

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Marketing Partner
5.0/5.0

He is an excellent attorney, very knowledgeable, and very helpful to the community.

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Managing Partner
5.0/5.0

I have always been very impressed with John as an attorney, but perhaps most importantly, as a really great person of the highest ethics. I highly recommend John for the highest Martindale Hubbell rankings.

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Partner
5.0/5.0

John is a highly competent and ethical attorney working in the area of estate planning. I have worked with Mr. Even on several cases, both on opposite sides and the same side of issues. He is very professional, thorough and fair.

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Partner
5.0/5.0

i would hire this lawyer for my mother

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Managing Partner