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Rule 53. Settlements of Claims for Minors and Adults in Need of Protection

Arizona Revised Statutes AnnotatedArizona Rules of Probate ProcedureEffective: January 1, 2022

Arizona Revised Statutes Annotated
Arizona Rules of Probate Procedure (Refs & Annos)
Part IX. Recoveries for, and Distributions to, Minors and Protected Adults
Effective: January 1, 2022
17B A.R.S. Rules Probate Proc., Rule 53
Formerly cited as AZ ST PROB Rule 37
Rule 53. Settlements of Claims for Minors and Adults in Need of Protection
Currentness
(a) Court Approval.
(1) When Required. Except as provided in subpart (a)(2), no settlement of a claim brought on behalf of a minor or an adult in need of protection is binding on the minor or the adult in need of protection unless it is approved by a judicial officer. If the court approves the settlement, it may authorize the execution of appropriate releases of liability.
(2) When Not Required. Under A.R.S. § 14-5424(C)(19), a conservator may enter into a binding settlement of claims not involving personal injury or wrongful death without court approval.
(b) Who May Approve.
(1) Claims of Minors. Any superior court judge or judge pro tem may approve the settlement of a minor's claim if the settlement does not exceed $10,000. If the settlement exceeds $10,000, it must be approved by a superior court judge or judge pro tem in a probate proceeding under A.R.S. Title 14.
(2) Claims of Adults in Need of Protection. Any superior court judge or judge pro tem in a probate proceeding under A.R.S. Title 14 may approve the settlement of a claim brought on behalf of an adult in need of protection.
(c) Appointment of a Guardian ad Litem or Master. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem pursuant to A.R.S. § 14-1408 or a master pursuant to Civil Rule 53, with instructions to address specific items, including any of the following:
(1) the reasonableness of the settlement proposal,
(2) the attorney fees to be paid from the minor's or adult's settlement proceeds,
(3) the costs of litigation and apportionment of those costs,
(4) the effect of the settlement on eligibility for public benefits or other resources that might be available, and
(5) the proper apportionment of settlement proceeds among the various litigants.
(d) Permissible Orders. After considering the amount and nature of the settlement proceeds, the age and sophistication of the minor or adult in need of protection, and that person's living arrangements and ongoing needs, the court may do one or more of the following:
(1) appoint a conservator;
(2) order establishment of an appropriate trust, including a special needs trust, with or without continuing court supervision, as authorized by ARS § 14-5409(B);
(3) authorize all or a portion of the proceeds to be placed in an account pursuant to
(A) 26 U.S.C. § 529 (“qualified tuition programs”),
(B) 26 U.S.C. § 529A (“qualified ABLE programs”),
(C) 42 U.S.C. § 1396p(d)(4)(C) (a pooled special needs trust),
(D) A.R.S § 14-5408(C) (a “dignity account”);
(4) in the case of a minor claimant, order distribution of the proceeds to a custodian under A.R.S. § 14-7656(B) (the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act);
(5) order distribution of the proceeds to an appropriate person under A.R.S. § 14-5103 (“facility of payment or delivery”) or to a guardian under A.R.S. § 14-5312(A)(4)(b);
(6) approve a structured settlement; or
(7) enter any other order authorized by statute.

Credits

Added Aug. 29, 2019, effective Jan. 1, 2020. Amended on an emergency basis Aug. 25, 2021, effective Sept. 29, 2021, adopted on a permanent basis effective Jan. 1, 2022.
17B A. R. S. Rules Probate Proc., Rule 53, AZ ST PROB Rule 53
State Court Rules are current with amendments received through August 15, 2024. The Code of Judicial Administration is current with amendments received through August 1, 2024.
End of Document