Rule 34 - Prudent Management of CostsThe following are in addition to the duties imposed by A.R.S. § 14-1104 and A.C.J.A. § 3-303.
(a) Disclosure When Cost Exceeds Benefits. A guardian ad litem, statutory representative, guardian, conservator, personal representative, attorney for a fiduciary, or an attorney for a ward or protected person must timely disclose to the court and the other parties any reasonable belief that the projected cost of complying with a court order may exceed the likely benefit to the ward, protected person, decedent's estate, or trust.(b) Orders. If appropriate and if consistent with due process, the court may enter or modify orders to protect or further the best interests of the ward, protected person, decedent's estate, or trust.(c) Market Rates. In appointing a fiduciary, attorney, guardian ad litem, or statutory representative, in ruling on or considering a budget objection, and in ruling on a request to substitute a court-appointed fiduciary, attorney, guardian ad litem, or statutory representative, the court and the fiduciary should not pay more than market rates for a good or service.(d) Competitive Bids. At any stage of the proceedings, the court may require competitive bids for goods or services.Amended Aug. 29, 2019, effective 1/1/2020; amended Dec. 08, 2021, effective 1/1/2022.