Updated 2007
The Law and Aging Guide is a comprehensive listing of the state-wide resources available to help older persons with law-related issues. Published by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, the Guide includes important contact numbers and addresses for legal assistance providers and other law-related services for the elderly. Many states now have toll-free senior legal hotlines. If you are an older person (or family member or trusted friend of an older person) who needs legal advice or assistance, the first step is to see if your state has a hotline, and, if it does, to call the hotline listed below.
[Note: If you are legal services provider or entity listed below, please email any changes of address or information to the ABA Commission at abaelderly@abanet.org , attn: Law and Aging Guide.]
Arizona
A. Elder Law Hotline: (800) 231-5441
Arizona Elder Law Hotline
Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc.
64 E. Broadway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 623-5127
B. Legal Services Developer
Position Vacant
Arizona Aging and Adult Administration
1789 W. Jefferson, Ste. 950A
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-6440; fax (602) 542-6575
Web: http://www.de.state.az.us/aaa/
C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Robert Nixon
Arizona Aging and Adult Administration
1789 W. Jefferson, Ste. 950A
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-6454; fax (602) 542-6575
Web: www.de.state.az.us/aaa/programs/ombudsman/default.asp
D. Legal Services Funded Under the Older Americans Act
If your income falls within certain guidelines, you may be able to get legal help from the Legal Services or Legal Aid program in your area. In some communities, the Older Americans Act program serving older people and the legal aid program are one and the same. For a state-by-state listing of Legal Services programs, go to
Web: http://www.lsc.gov
Area Agency on Aging
1366 E Thomas Road
(602) 264-2255; (888)783-7500
Web: http://www.aaaphx.org/main/default.asp
Email: answers@aaaphx.org
Serves Maricopa County
Pima Council on Aging
8467 E Broadway
Tucson, AZ 85710
(520) 790-7262; (520) 790-7577
Web: http://www.pcoa.org/
Email: help@pcoa.org
Serves Pima County
NACOG Area Agency on Aging
(928) 774-1895
Serves Apache, Coconino, Navajo, and Yavapai Counties
Area Agency on Aging
(520) 782-1886; (800) 782-1886
Serves Yuma, La Paz and Mohave counties
Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens
(520) 836-2758; (800) 293-9393
Serves Gila and Pinal Counties
SEAGO/AAA
118 Arizona St.
Bisbee, AZ 85603
(520) 432-5301; (520) 432-5858
Web: http://www.seago.org/
Email: seago@seago.org
Serving Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, and Santa Cruz counties
Navajo Nation
The Central Administrative Office
Chinle: (928) 674-2091
Crownpoint: (505) 786-7008
Fort Defiance: (928) 729-4019
Shiprock: (505) 368-1250
Tuba City: (928) 283-4411
Under a Tri-State Agreement with Arizona, the Navajo Nation Area Agency on Aging serves elders within the Navajo Nation including portions of New Mexico and Utah. Region 7 is divided into five agencies: Chinle, AZ; Fort Defiance, AZ; Tuba City, AZ; Crownpoint, NM; and Shiprock, NM
InterTribal Council of Arizona Inc.
ITCA Area Agency on Aging
2214 North Central Avenue, Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 258-4822; fax: (602) 258-4825
Web: http://www.itcaonline.com/
Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc.
Serves Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Camp Verde Yavapai Apache Tribe
E. Bar Committees/Sections
Mental Health and Elder Law Section
Diana L. Clark, Chair
State Bar of Arizona
4201 N. 24th Street, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85016-6288
(602) 252-4804; fax (602) 271-4930
Web: http://www.azbar.org/
F. National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
Arizona Chapter
Bridget O'Brien Swartz, Esq.
Attorney at Law
President, Arizona Chapter of NAELA
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 955-7886; fax (602) 955-9790
G. Legal Assistance Projects Involving Private Attorneys
Many communities are also served by volunteer lawyer (pro bono) programs. These programs are usually sponsored by bar associations. Lawyers in private practice volunteer to help low-income persons free of charge. To find the pro bono program in your state, click on http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/probonodirectory.html
Pro Bono/Reduced Fee
Lawyer Referral Service
Pima County Bar Association
177 N. Church, Ste. 105
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 623-4625
The lawyer referral service includes attorneys who have agreed to handle cases for seniors. Most will make home visits or visits to nursing homes.
Social Security Panels
Volunteer Lawyers Project
P.O. Box 21538
Phoenix, AZ 85036
(602) 258-3434
The Volunteer Lawyers Project of Community Legal Services and the Maricopa Bar provides legal assistance to low-income residents of Maricopa County. Volunteer attorneys and volunteer physicians serve on panels to provide representation to Social Security disability claimants. This panel is not specifically targeted to older people.
Arizona Senior Citizens Law Project
1818 S. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(602) 257-1975, ext. 37
An attorney recruits a panel of lawyers to provide legal services for seniors either without charge or on a reduced-fee basis. Most lawyers will make home visits or visits to nursing homes. Clients are screened by a paralegal and/or attorneys for referral.
Pro Bono Panel
Legal Assistance for Seniors
Roy Schult, Legal Advocate
1633 W. Kiowa
Mesa, AZ 85202
(602) 831-5393
The Maricopa County Bar Young Lawyers Association has recruited over 70 attorneys to provide free legal advice at the senior centers listed below. The Arizona Legal Advocates raised money to pay for malpractice insurance, but does not administer the program. Each center is visited once a week by an attorney.
Scottsdale Senior Center
7375 E. 2nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(602) 994-2375
Glendale Senior Center
7121 N. 57th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85067
(602) 931-5477
Mesa Senior Center
263 N. McDonald
Mesa, AZ 85201
(602) 962-5612
Chandler Senior Center
175 E. Commonwealth
Chandler, AZ 85225
(602) 786-2532
Deer Valley Multigenerational
2001 W. Wahalla Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Sunnyslope Community Center
802 E. Vogel
Phoenix, AZ 85020
(602) 262-6661
Olive Branch Senior Center
10765 W. Peoria Ave.
Sun City, AZ 85351
(602) 974-6797
H. Law Schools and Legal Clinics
Law Schools
University of Arizona
College of Law
P.O. Box 210176
Tucson, AZ 85721-0176
(520) 621-1373
Arizona State University
College of Law
McAllister and Orange Sts.
P.O. Box 877906
Tempe, AZ 85287
(480) 965-6181
I. Attorney General's Office
Terry Goddard, Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
1275 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-4266
Web: http://www.attorneygeneral.state.az.us
The Elder Affairs Program of the Arizona Attorney General's office serves as a clearinghouse and central intake point for consumer complaints and other issues involving the elderly. The program also conducts preliminary review and investigation of certain complaints prior to recommending that an official investigation be conducted with possible eventual prosecution. The program also maintains a registry of complaints filed in court charging persons with crimes against incapacitated and vulnerable adults. Staff provide both professional and community education on the topics of elder abuse and consumer fraud. Victims' services and mediation of disputes are also offered.
J. State Protection and Advocacy Agencies
Arizona Center for Disability Law
100 N. Stone Ave., Ste. 305
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 327-9547; fax (520) 884-0992
Web: http://www.acdl.com
K. Dispute Resolution
Arizona Dispute Resolution Association (ADRA)
P.O. Box 7638
Phoenix, AZ 85011-7638
(602) 379-2372
The Arizona Center for Disability Law is a not for profit public interest law firm, dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals with a wide range of physical, mental, psychiatric, sensory and cognitive disabilities.
L. Other Projects
