Who Can Request Notice and How It Works
If someone you care about is involved in a guardianship or conservatorship proceeding, you do not have to sit on the sidelines. Arizona law gives any interested person the right to file a demand for notice with the court. Once filed, the court must inform you before making any orders in that case.
Any interested person who desires to be notified before any order is made in a guardianship or conservatorship proceeding, including any proceeding subsequent to the appointment of a guardian pursuant to section 14-5313, or subsequent to the appointment of a conservator pursuant to section 14-5416, may file a demand for notice with the clerk of the court in which the proceeding is pending.
A.R.S. § 14-5406The demand must include a statement explaining your interest in the case and your address or your attorney's address. You also need to mail a copy to the guardian and the conservator, if one has been appointed. Keep in mind that the demand only covers events that happen after it is filed. It does not apply retroactively to earlier orders.
Government Agencies as Interested Persons
The statute also recognizes that government agencies paying or planning to pay benefits to the protected person qualify as interested persons. This includes agencies like the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) or the Department of Veterans' Services. Their involvement helps ensure public funds are being used appropriately and that the protected person's benefits are not jeopardized by court orders.
For families navigating these proceedings, requesting notice is a straightforward step that keeps you informed. It does not give you decision-making authority, but it ensures you have visibility into what is happening in the case.
