Top best Probate Lawyers in ZIP 85004 | 50 available

T.J. Ryan. Attorney at Law. My practice focuses on two main areas:. Estate Planning and Administration:  I represent individuals, couples and families in the creation of a range of estate planning documents, including wills, trusts (both revocable and irrevocable), health care and financial powers of attorney, and living wills.  My goal is to ensure that your wishes are carried out upon your death or incapacity, and to avoid the public, time consuming and costly probate process.  We understand there is no "one size fits all" solution, and we take great care to ensure that the result you desire is translated into your documents.  I also have the distinct pleasure of working with several attorneys who have been certified by the State Bar of Arizona as specialists in Estate and Trust Law as well as several specialists in the area of taxation.  Additionally, I work with attorneys in the Firm who can assist you with elder care and special needs planning.  In the event of a death or incapacity, I assist my clients by helping them successfully carry out their loved one's intentions through the administrative process.. Estate and Probate controversy litigation:  I assist my clients with a vast array of probate, trust, guardian and fiduciary related disputes.  These disputes include will and trust validity and interpretation issues, disputes between beneficiaries and fiduciaries over estate and trust operation, disputes regarding fiduciary fees, exploitation of the elderly and incapacitated or vulnerable individuals, contested or otherwise complicated guardianship and conservatorships, as well as trust modification and termination.  While many lawyers simply "dabble" in this area, I focus my energies on this area of law.  Because of this focused approach, we have achieved a strong track record for achieving positive results for our clients, and have developed a reputation for quality legal services in our field.  Moreover, we have vast, in-house resources upon which to draw, including some of Arizona's very finest estate planning lawyers, tax specialists, probate and trust administration experts, and certified private fiduciaries.. I give special attention to helping my clients gain a clear understanding of the process and the applicable legal framework. Understanding that litigation may often be avoided between reasonable people, I approach each circumstance with a range of alternatives.  I present my clients with all of the options available to them, including alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and arbitration.. From time to time, I also litigate civil and commercial issues, and assist clients with business transactions. Prior to joining the firm, I practiced with Bonnett Fairbourn Friedman & Balint PC as a civil litigator with a focus on professional liability defense.. In 2008, I served as the President of the Young Lawyers Division of the Maricopa County Bar Association.  I currently serve as an elected board member of the Maricopa County Bar Association board of directors. I also serve as the Programs and Facilities chair of the Maricopa County Justice Museum and Learning Center, which endeavors to restore the territorial jail within the Old Courthouse in downtown Phoenix and convert it for use as a museum.  I frequently volunteer with the Wills for Heroes Foundation, which provides pro bono estate planning for fire fighters, police and other first responders.. In law school, I served as an Executive Note Editor for the Arizona Law Review.  I clerked with Mesch, Clark & Rothschild PC, as well as the Civil Division of the Pima County Attorney’s Office. As a law student, I tried numerous cases (both to the jury and to the bench) with the City of Tucson Prosecution Clinic, gaining courtroom skills that continue to serve me today.  I served as the Assistant Director of the Law Office & Courtroom of the Future Project alongside Professor Winton Woods. In 2002, my Law Review note was published in the Arizona Law Review (“: RIAA v Napster and the War Against Online Musical Piracy,” 44 Ariz. L. Rev. 495 (2002), discussing the future of musical copyright in the digital world of the 21st century.). I joined Frazer Ryan Goldberg & Arnold LLP as an associate of the firm in 2006.  In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, riding my mountain bike, and maintaining my single digit handicap on the golf course.

Sean David Greengard’s career spans over a decade, focusing on estate planning and business law to assist individuals and businesses in securing their financial futures and legacies. Raised in Phoenix, AZ, southwest Colorado, and Maui, Hawaii, Sean showed early academic aptitude and a passion for law, influenced by attorney parents. Graduating from Arizona State University with a degree in Psychology, he went on to earn a Juris Doctorate from ASU’s Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law and a Masters in Taxation from Boston University. He gained experience at Ryley, Carlock & Applewhite before transitioning to Forakis Law Firm PLC, specializing in estate planning and business formation. As Director of HFO Law Group at Heritage Family Offices, Sean worked with high-net-worth clients in asset structuring and estate planning. In 2023, he established his own firm, focusing on sophisticated estate planning solutions. Sean prioritizes personalized service, building relationships with clients, and tailoring legal strategies to individual goals. Outside of work, Sean enjoys outdoor activities, travel, woodworking, and reading historical biographies and science fiction novels.

Nichole Wilk brings over a decade of business and legal expertise. She began her law career working in commercial litigation and now uses those skills and knowledge gained to better assist and protect her clients in business and real estate transactions. Her practice includes both litigation and transactional representation.. Real Estate: Nichole assists clients in a wide range of real estate matters. Her experience includes assistance with the purchase and sale of real property, leasing, and dealing with real estate and leasing disputes. Nichole utilizes her commercial banking background as well as real estate experience working on million dollar real estate transactions to assist clients in achieving their goals.. Business Transactions: Nichole also assists clients with a broad range of business transactional matters. From starting a business to selling a business and everything in between Nichole is there to assist. Nichole understands that having the proper foundation is the best way to promote future success.. Probate and Guardianship/Conservatorship: Probate and Guardianship/Conservatorship matters arise during difficult and trying times. Families often need an attorney to assist them. While Nichole cannot spare clients the grief associated with these matters, she strives to make the legal process as simple and painless as possible. Nichole understands that during such times, the last thing a client wants to deal with is the legal process. Through experienced advocacy Nichole helps client through the unfamiliar and sometimes confusing process of guardianships, conservatorships, and probates so that the client can focus on the more important things.. Other Practice Areas:. Trust AdministrationCollectionReceivershipsProbate LitigationCommercial Litigation. Nichole is a native Arizonan. In her free time, she enjoys exploring all the beauty Arizona has to offer and playing tourist in her own state. From hiking up North to exploring small off-the- beaten-path towns, Nichole is awe struck by the diverse experiences Arizona has to offer

Mr. Guild was a founding Senior Member for The Cavanagh Law Firm since its inception in 1999, and started his career with O’Connor Cavanagh in 1981.. Mr. Guild is a Certified Tax Specialist and holds a Masters in Law in Taxation.  Over the past 35+ years he has focused primarily on estate planning, general commercial work entailing all manner of federal income tax issues, and state and local tax controversy work.  He has handled more than 250 tax controversy matters, including administrative hearings, litigation in the Arizona Tax Court, the Arizona Court of Appeals, and the Arizona Supreme Court, collection negotiations and lobbying efforts.  He also has extensive experience in setting up homebuilder clients in the two-tier homebuilder technique mode.. Mr. Guild handles financial and commercial aspects associated with complex divorce matters, as well as being a qualified domestic relations order specialist.. He also has an extensive general business background, including the formation of entities, corporate reorganizations, merger-acquisitions, family-owned businesses, and the preparation of buy-sell agreements, employment contracts and succession planning.. Active in the community, he has served two terms as the President of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix Foundation, and has served as a Trustee of the Foundation for more than 25 years.

Lauren Garner is an experienced litigator and mediator whose practice emphasizes probate, trusts and guardian/conservatorships. Lauren’s clients rely on that experience and her sensitivity in matters that touch families, trusts, and estates.. Dedication and personal involvement are a critical part of Lauren’s practice. She feels a deep sense of accomplishment in her 1998 move to Phoenix, after nearly a lifetime of business and personal contacts in Miami, Florida. Here, she has developed a flourishing practice in the field of probate, trust and guardianship/conservatorship litigation and mediation.. Lauren enjoys dual bar membership – in both Arizona and Florida. She is active in probate and trust organizations and committees on both the Arizona State Bar and the Maricopa County Bar Association. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (“ACTEC”) where she is a member of the Fiduciary Litigation Committee. Lauren is currently the State Chair of the Arizona ACTEC Fellows. Lauren has been repeatedly recognized as one of the Top 100 Lawyers by AZ Business Leaders since 2020. She has been recognized as a Southwest Super Lawyer since 2015 and has been repeatedly recognized in editions of Best Lawyers in America in the area of Trusts and Estate Litigation since 2016. She also was named as one of the 2017 Women of Influence by Best Lawyers. Lauren was named as a 2019 top 25 Arizona Women Attorneys by Super Lawyers.. An advocate of mediation and other non-traditional dispute resolution services, Lauren underwent a lengthy training and certification process to become a Circuit Court Mediator in Florida. She was been part of a small committee that developed and presented a two day Probate Mediation Training program. Lauren uses her experiences to work with clients and professionals and is a frequent speaker on ways to avoid probate and trust litigation. Lauren has volunteered her time and experience to her professional community. She is a Judge Pro Tempore for Maricopa County Superior Court in the Probate and Mental Health Division. In that capacity she serves as a Settlement Judge to mediate probate litigation cases. She volunteers for the Probate Lawyers Assistance Project offering pro bono assistance in probate and trust matters to low income individuals. She was been a member of the Executive Council of the Probate and Trust Section of the State Bar of Arizona from 2006 to 2019 (serving as Chair for one year) and of the Executive Council of the Elder Law, Mental Health and Special Needs Trust Section from 2011 to 2014, and was on the Board of the Estate Planning and Probate Section of the Maricopa County Bar Association from 2004-2007.

Kelsi is a dedicated attorney practicing estate law. She is focused on ensuring her clients’ legal needs are met with promptness and efficiency. Kelsi is recognized for her expertise by The Best Lawyers in America©, 2024 and 2025 editions, Super Lawyers®, 2022, 2023, and 2024 editions, and featured in Phoenix Magazine’s Top Lawyers in Wills, Trusts, & Estates, 2022, 2023, and 2024 editions. With a commitment to personalized service and a track record of success, she provides reliable legal counsel tailored to each client’s unique situation.. With a focus on effective client communication, Kelsi ensures that her clients fully understand the intricacies of estate planning and administration. Whether guiding them through the process of creating an estate plan or assisting in the administration of a loved one’s estate, her clarity and expertise shine through.. After completing an estate plan with Kelsi, clients not only gain a legally sound document but also a deep understanding of its intricacies. She ensures that her clients feel empowered and confident in their estate plans, knowing that each aspect has been meticulously tailored to meet their individual needs and circumstances. By taking the time to educate her clients and address any questions or concerns they may have, Kelsi fosters a sense of trust and assurance that their wishes will be carried out as intended. With her guidance, clients can rest assured that their estate plans are not just legal documents but reflections of their unique preferences and priorities.. Another cornerstone of Kelsi’s practice is her exceptional communication skills, which enable her to effectively manage estate and trust administration for clients residing outside of Arizona. Despite the geographical distance, she ensures seamless communication with her out-of-state clients, keeping them informed and involved every step of the way. Through clear and timely correspondence, Kelsi navigates the complexities of estate and trust administration, providing personalized guidance and reassurance to her clients regardless of their location. Her commitment to open communication fosters strong client relationships built on trust, reliability, and peace of mind, ensuring that distance is never a barrier to exceptional legal representation.. With a diverse background that spans years of experience in probate, trust administration, litigation, and estate planning, she brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective to her practice. Kelsi’s previous roles at a boutique estate planning law firm and with the Board of Veterans Appeals in Washington, D.C., have provided her with invaluable insights into the intricacies of estate law and related fields.. Outside of her legal practice, Kelsi is passionate about giving back to the community. She serves in an executive role on the Board of Governors for the Arizona State Bar and is also actively serving on the Board of the Arizona Bar Foundation. When she’s not advocating for the legal profession, Kelsi loves to spend quality time with her husband, elementary-aged son, and their min pin. Early mornings are often spent hiking the beautiful trails of Arizona.

Kathi Sandweiss, a former award-winning television journalist, now enjoys a combined arbitration and appellate practice. She is a partner at Jaburg & Wilk, P.C., where she has practiced law over 30 years. Since 2016, Kathi has been an active commercial arbitrator on the roster of the American Arbitration Association. Her AAA cases have included complex asbestos trust claims, franchise agreements, service agreements, landlord/tenant disputes, emergency injunctive relief in a cannabis dispute and multiple consumer claims. She served as sole arbiter on a complex commercial case, with over $1.4 million in dispute, involving issues of breach of contract, UCC and agriculture law. She is currently chair of a three-arbitrator panel in a complex multi-state arbitration. In her capacity as an AAA neutral, she has addressed various procedural issues, including arbitrability, attorney disqualification, jurisdiction and discovery disputes.. She is on the Alternative Dispute Resolution Executive Council, State Bar of Arizona. She presented a seminar on arbitrability at the 2021 State Bar Convention and has written on the issue of delegation clauses in arbitration agreements – “Putting the Shine on Schein.”. Her arbitration practice is enhanced and enlightened by years of appellate experience – she has filed more than 150 appellate briefs and petitions for review in the Arizona Court of Appeals, the Arizona Supreme Court, the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court, and has 23 published opinions.

I am a fourth generation Arizona native who has been doing estate planning for almost 20 years.  My father before me has practiced almost 50 years and will be joinging my firm in a few years.  I am highly qualified to handle the most complicated estates, but also very simple estates for a good price.. I am a fixed fee lawyer, so you always know what you are going to pay before you are billed.  All of my consultations are free and I am  happy to answer your question over the phone without billing you.. I have a friendly ofice environment.  My office is in central Phoenix in a remodeled home in the historic area.  You may even get to see the office mascot, who is a little dog named Oreo.  We are dog and children friendly, so if you can't find a babysitter, feel free to bring your children.

Brad Johnston is a shareholder and director of The Cavanagh Law Firm, P.A.  He has more than 20 years of diverse experience in civil litigation, including jury trials in state and federal court.  His trial experience includes matters involving personal injuries, construction/indemnity issues, insurance coverage and insurance bad faith, and breach of contract/fiduciary duty.. Mr. Johnston has broad experience in construction and real estate matters.  He  has handled a variety of real estate and construction-related lawsuits, including suits involving defective construction, purchase contracts and leases, boundary disputes and other title defects, adverse possession, and materialmen’s liens.  He has represented national construction management firms, real estate developers, general contractors, subcontractors, and property owners in contract and construction defect lawsuits.  He has handled matters involving a variety of civil, structural, and electrical engineering and also architectural standard of care issues.  He has also drafted construction contracts for developers, general contractors, subcontractors, and property owners.. In the personal injury area, Mr. Johnston has handled many personal injury and wrongful death cases for both defendants as well as plaintiffs, including dram shop, products liability, and tire cases.  He has also defended many cases for insured and self-insured clients, ranging from automobile accidents to products liability, premises liability, nursing home neglect, and elder abuse cases.. Mr. Johnston also has extensive experience in vertical transportation cases and has represented an international elevator manufacturing and service company in a variety of personal injury and contract matters.. Mr. Johnston has handled a number of appeals and has argued cases before the Arizona Court of Appeals.  Representing a Canadian governmental entity, Mr. Johnston obtained summary judgment in an action to enforce a Canadian judgment against a Canadian citizen living in Arizona, which ruling was upheld on appeal.  See Alberta Securities Comm’n v. Ryckman, 200 Ariz. 540, 121 (App. 2001).. Mr. Johnston graduated from Brigham Young University, magna cum laude, in 1991.  He is a 1994 graduate of Cornell Law School, where he served as Articles Editor for the Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy.  He served as a judicial extern to the Hon. Patrick Monserrate, Supreme Court of New York.  He is admitted to practice in Arizona state courts, the United States District Court for the District of Arizona and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  He has served as a Maricopa County Superior Court Pro Tempore.  He is a member of the Defense Research Institute, the Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, and the construction law sections of the Arizona State Bar and the Maricopa County Bar.. Mr. Johnston and his wife are the parents of six children.  He serves as a Unit Commissioner in the San Tan District, Grand Canyon Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Beth is a shareholder at Jaburg Wilk and has been practicing law for more than three decades. She chairs the firm’s Estate Planning and Business Law Department. As both a Tax Specialist certified by the State Bar of Arizona – Arizona Board of Legal Specialization and a Certified Public Accountant, she has a unique expertise in assisting her clients with their estate planning as well as closely held businesses. She has assisted hundreds of families – including ones with substantial assets – with their estate needs ranging from simple estate plans to complex multi-generational gifting plans.. Her expertise and wide range of experience in structuring business entities and succession plans allows her clients to take advantage of tax and business opportunities, as well as protecting the individual business owner’s assets from the reach of creditors. She assists families, closely held businesses’ owners, and individuals by providing succession planning, business planning and estate planning. Whether trusts, wills, powers of attorneys, living wills or healthcare directives, Beth has the skills to help clients preserve the wealth they have created to benefit themselves, their family, and succeeding generations. She has also assisted in formation of (501(c)(3)) non-profits and assisted clients with charitable gifting.. Beth has represented clients from the start-up phase of their business to growing into multi-million dollar companies. These are longtime clients and Beth has been an integral part of that growth. She has assisted them with mergers, acquisitions and sales, real estate transactions, entity formation to maximize tax advantages, stock sales, leases, and like-kind exchanges. Representative transactions include:. She has appeared on various television programs to discuss estate planning topics, gifting strategies and other effective estate planning techniques. She authored Charitable Gift Planning, which appeared in the Arizona Attorney and has spoken locally on a number of estate planning topics.

A former business owner, Lisa is well versed in challenges faced by small businesses and their owners. Her unique prospective benefits her business clients with agreements, employment advice, copyright violations and succession planning. She also assists families with estate planning not only guiding them through the estate planning process but also understanding why this is so vital to their families. Her goal is for her clients to achieve peace of mind from knowing that they have protected and provided for themselves and their family. When needed, she represents estates in probate and assists with trust administration.. Prior to moving to Arizona, she worked in an immigration law firm in California where she represented clients in immigration court. Lisa worked as an Investor Relations and Operations manager of a $2 billion hedge fund prior to attending law school. This experience formed the base for her business practice.

Experienced Probate attorney serving clients in Phoenix and surrounding areas.

Experienced Probate attorney serving clients in Phoenix and surrounding areas.

Experienced Probate attorney serving clients in Phoenix and surrounding areas.

Experienced Probate attorney serving clients in Phoenix and surrounding areas.

Experienced Probate attorney serving clients in Phoenix and surrounding areas.

Experienced Probate attorney serving clients in Phoenix and surrounding areas.