Page 27 - Phoenix Vol 11 No 3

e ort. Explaining why this work is so important, “the person can pass peacefully knowing it’s done, that all a airs are in order.”
In his estate planning and probate practice, Winter helps clients carefully plan for the future and address present concerns, such as guardianship of a child or conservatorship of an elderly parent. De- scribing a di cult situation for any family, Winter talks about “many clients caught between raising young children and being the primary caregiver of an elderly parent.” Whatever the client’s circumstances, he puts each on a path to achieve speci ed estate planning goals.
MINIMIZING LITIGATION IN PROBATE
Many people experience ADR in family law cases, particularly cus- tody mediation. But ADR plays a strong role in probate, too. In a dis- pute over division of a deceased parent’s intestate estate, for example, mediation can help heirs arrive at a settlement agreement.
Winter has concentrated many years on ADR with meaningful re- sults. He has served as mediator, client advocate in collaborative law, guardian ad litem (GAL), and special master. Clients bene t from his keen insight, complex problem-solving, and extensive knowledge of non-litigation dispute resolution. Cooperative settlement helps mini- mize the emotional impact of probate and can save costs by avoiding expensive trial preparation. Winter believes, “it o en takes a better lawyer to settle a case than to try a case, especially where children are involved.” In 2011, he completed 40-hours of mediation training with the Center for Understanding Con ict and advanced training with the Center for Mediation in Law.
ROLE OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM
Winter’s experience as guardian ad litem extends to both family law and probate cases. In probate cases, Winter was directly involved in appointment of guardians and conservators of individuals alleged in- competent or incapable of meeting their own day-to-day needs. GALs in Arizona are also court-appointed.
is attorney does everything possible to get the parties to resolve their disputes without court intervention. But when litigation is nec- essary, he’s your guy. An experienced negotiator and litigator, he has received a collection of accolades from AVVO’s Client Choice Award in divorce and family law to the National Insitute of Legal Counsel’s 10 Best Attorneys for estate planning.
GIVING BACK
Winter is a big believer in giving back to the community and donat- ing time. By volunteering, “you’re helping yourself as much as, if not more than, the individuals you’re assisting.”
He has volunteered for Wills for Heroes and for the past two years has served as committee chair for Boy Scouts of America Troop 30.
Winter spent many years volunteering his time with Habitat for Hu- manity Coastal Fair eld County, Inc., serving on its board of directors from 2006 to 2013. He was also the organization’s legal counsel. For his service, Habitat awarded Winter its prestigious Second Mile Award in 2008. Habitat’s model, where people come together to create a ordable homeownership and housing, is especially meaningful.
“I was able to see how owning a home and having a safe place to live helped transform individual lives,” he says. “For me, that’s what it’s all about.”
At a Glance
STEWART LAW GROUP
20325 N 51st Ave. Suite 134 Glendale AZ 85308 623-815-4700 www.ArizonaLawGroup.com
Practice Area
Probate & Estate Planning Family Law
Education
Juris Doctor, St. John’s University School of Law, 1993
Bachelor’s Degree in Government and Politics, St. John’s University, 1990
Honors
10 Best Estate Planning Attorney, American Institute of Legal Counsel, 2017-2018
Top 10 Estate Planning Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2019
Clients’ Choice Award, AVVO, 2015-2017
Hobbies
Time With Family
Hiking
Camping with Son’s Boy Scout
Troop
Reading Historical Biographies
Favorite Quote
“Wisdom too o en never comes, and so one ought not to reject it merely because it comes late.”
– Justice Felix Frankfurter