Arizona seniors who fall under guardianship or conservatorship are often at their most vulnerable. When courts appoint attorneys, guardians, or other professionals to manage a person’s affairs, those professionals are paid from the senior’s estate. Too often, families have watched life savings drained by excessive fees, vague billing, and rubber-stamped approvals.
That is why Senator Mark Finchem has introduced SB 1648.
SB 1648 strengthens oversight of how court-appointed professionals are compensated when managing the affairs of elderly or vulnerable adults. Instead of vague explanations for billing, SB 1648 requires a detailed breakdown of compensation arrangements. Courts would be required to carefully evaluate whether the services actually benefit the ward, whether the charges are reasonable, and whether the estate can sustain the cost. This shifts the focus back where it belongs: protecting the senior, not protecting the billing pipeline.
The legislation also requires projected legal costs to be approved in advance before work is performed. That prevents surprise invoices and limits the ability of professionals to exceed authorized amounts without oversight. The goal is simple: no more blank checks written from a vulnerable person’s estate without meaningful review.
Mark Finchem has long spoken out about abuses in family and probate courts. SB 1648 is about restoring accountability and protecting seniors from financial exploitation.