Program Overview 

      The Fiduciary Division of the State of Arizona, Department of Veterans’ Services manages a program that serves as guardian, conservator, or representative payee for incapacitated veterans or the surviving spouses and dependent children of protected veterans pursuant to A.R.S. § 14-5414.  A person is judged to be incapacitated if he or she is impaired due to mental illness, mental deficiency, physical disability or illness, senility or advanced age, drug abuse to the extent that the individual fails to exhibit sufficient understanding or ability to make sound or responsible decisions regarding his or her person or estate.

      Veterans are referred to the Fiduciary Division from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Regional Office and Medical Centers, Adult Protective Services, Arizona State Hospital, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, family members and, occasionally, veterans themselves.  When a referral is made, the case investigator will visit the individual referred to determine if the Fiduciary Division can provide the services that are needed by the client.

      After the visit and upon determination by the program staff that the Fiduciary Division can serve the client, the County Superior Court is petitioned to gain appointment as guardian or conservator.  A guardianship appointment involves assuming responsibility for ensuring the client’s physical and medical needs are met.  A conservatorship appointment involves assuming the responsibility for managing the client’s estate.  The human service specialist assigned to the client carefully assesses his or her needs in order to secure medical, psychological and social services, training, education, and other services as appropriate in order to maximize the client’s potential for self-reliance and independence.

      The Fiduciary Division also provides assistance to eligible veterans and their families in all financial matters, including powers of attorney, financial planning, budgeting, bill paying, preparing income tax returns, and making major purchases (e.g., homes and vehicles, etc.); and also acts as personal representative for the estates of deceased veterans and their spouses or dependent children.

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