What the Panel Does
The probate advisory panel focuses on how the state handles adult guardianship and conservatorship. These proceedings affect some of the most vulnerable people in Arizona.
The panel's job is to find problems and recommend fixes through new laws.
The probate advisory panel is established in the office of the governor. The panel consists of the following members who are appointed to staggered four-year terms.
A.R.S. § 14-1110(A)The panel holds public hearings at least four times a year. It reviews how guardianship and conservatorship laws work in practice.
Each year, it submits a report with findings and suggestions to the governor, the legislature, and the chief justice of the supreme court.
Who Serves on the Panel
The membership is diverse on purpose. It includes family members who serve as guardians or conservators. It also includes advocates for people in guardianship cases.
Licensed public and private fiduciaries, a guardianship attorney, a judicial officer, and a clerk of the superior court round out the group.
Shall hold public hearings at least quarterly, or at the call of the chairperson, on how to improve the adult guardianship and conservatorship laws through statutory changes.
A.R.S. § 14-1110(B)(2)Panel members serve without pay. The panel's suggestions carry advisory weight only, but they have shaped real legislative changes.
Courts must use clear and convincing evidence in certain guardianship proceedings. This statute includes a sunset clause and is set to be repealed on January 1, 2028.
Why This Oversight Matters
Guardianship takes away basic rights from people who cannot manage their own affairs. Without ongoing review, there is a risk of neglect or financial abuse.
The panel provides a check on the system. It reviews real cases and spots where the law falls short.
For families, the panel's work has led to stronger protections. Past efforts brought clearer reporting rules, better training for guardians, and higher evidence standards before courts appoint a guardian.