Intervention issues don’t arise often in Arizona probate Court. Nichols v. Slavicek, No. 1 CA-CV 25-0272 PB (Ariz. App. May 4, 2026) (mem. decision), is a sharp reminder that the rules apply and probate courts cannot quietly sideline a surviving
Berk Law Group Blog
The Berk Law Group Blog, published by Berk Law Group, focuses on legal issues related to probate, trust, and estate litigation in Arizona. It covers topics such as probate contests, trust disputes, guardianships, conservatorships, and the financial exploitation and abuse of vulnerable adults. The blog also discusses procedural aspects of probate and estate litigation, including court rulings, statutory requirements, and best practices for legal filings. Additionally, it provides updates on local legal events, hiring opportunities within the firm, and analyses of notable cases affecting estate and trust law. The content is aimed at clients, legal professionals, and others interested in Arizona probate and trust law matters.
Latest from Berk Law Group Blog - Page 2
Announcing the Berk Law Group AI Client Tipsheet: How to Use AI Safely When You’re in a Probate or Trust Dispute
By Kent Berk
AI is everywhere. And if you’re involved in a probate, trust, or estate dispute, there’s a good chance you’ve already wondered whether you should be using it to help with your case.
It’s a fair question. One we now routinely…
Why the Court Can’t Rubber-Stamp a Guardian’s Decision: Lessons from Gouveia v. Gruler
By Kent Berk
On April 15, 2026, the Arizona Court of Appeals issued a published opinion in Gouveia v. Gruler, No. 1 CA-CV 25-0402 PB. This is an adult-guardianship dispute worth a careful read for every family member, guardian, and attorney involved in…
April 2026 Maricopa County Probate Bench Bar Meeting
By Kent Berk
Today’s probate bench‑bar was well attended (93 practitioners at one point) and packed with practical guidance from the court. Thank you, Commissioner Vanessa Smith, for hosting and coordinating.
Below are the most important updates Arizona probate and fiduciary litigators should…
Join our Team: Hiring a Legal Operations Director
By Kent Berk
If you’re an experienced operations leader with a strong background in legal billing, financial workflows, and team management, and you’re looking for a meaningful role in a supportive, high-performing law firm, Berk Law Group in Scottsdale is hiring, and this…
A Milestone That’s No Joke! 30 Years of Advocacy, Trust, and Gratitude
By Kent Berk
April 1, 2026
Thirty years ago, in the spring of 1996, I was three years in as a litigation associate at what was then one of Arizona’s largest firms. Then, I was fired.
I’d checked every box and had all…
Berk Law Group Launches Free Arizona Probate & Elder Law Tools
By Kent Berk
At Berk Law Group, we know many families begin looking online for answers during stressful and uncertain times. They may be trying to understand who inherits when there is no will, whether a vulnerable adult may be experiencing financial exploitation,…
When a “Contempt Fine” Becomes a Problem: Isom v. Isom and What Probate Litigators Should Take From It
By Kent Berk
Arizona probate litigation can get intense fast—missing inventories, stonewalled accountings, ignored turnover orders, withheld trust records, or parties “doing self-help” with estate or trust assets. When a judge is frustrated, it’s natural to see courts reach for contempt and monetary…
Arizona Appeals Court: You Can’t “ADR Away” an Undue Influence Challenge to a Trust Amendment
By Kent Berk
Some trusts try to solve family conflict with a built-in off-ramp: appoint a “Special Co-Trustee,” require everyone to submit disputes to that person first, and allow mediation or even binding arbitration—with language saying the outcome is “binding” and “not subject…
Camera Optional, Attention Required: Rethinking How Lawyers Learn Together
By Kent Berk
The mission of the Maricopa County Bar Association is to be the place “Where the Legal Community Connects.” Ideally, that means connecting people with information—and connecting people with people.
After all, the legal profession is built on relationships. We learn…