Family law can be complex and intimidating, and there is no shortage of myths and misconceptions circling how divorce and issues involving children are handled in Arizona. Below is a list of the ten major points of family law that you should be aware of before heading to court.
Learn MoreThere are several different types of parenting plans that parties can agree on or the court can enter in cases involving children. Some example parenting plans may include: Equal Parenting Time Non-Equal Parenting Time Long Distance Parenting Time. Equal parenting time means both parents have equal access to the minor child(ren).
Learn More“Service” is the technical name for the other party receiving the documents that you filed. Arizona courts require the petitioner to show proof that the other person was served. In today’s legal world, service does not have to be done with a process server. Instead, you can simply mail the documents to...
Learn MoreIt is important for family law attorneys to be educated about domestic violence. 1,300,000 women in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence by intimate partners every year. Battered women are not the only victims of abuse; it is estimated that anywhere between 3.3 million and 10 million...
Learn MoreThe Basics Paternity only applies to the father of the child. Paternity means being declared the legal father after the child is born. Until paternity is established in accordance with the law, a child of unmarried parents is without a legal father. The proceedings to establish the…
Learn MoreIn Arizona, we do not use the term “custody.” We instead use the terms “legal decision-making” and “parenting time.” These two aspects of a parenting plan comprise what is traditionally considered custody in other states. In determining parenting time and legal decision-making in the child(ren)’s best interests, the court refers to what…
Learn MoreIn Arizona, we do not use the term “custody.” We instead use the terms “legal decision-making” and “parenting time.” These two aspects of a parenting plan comprise what is traditionally considered custody in other states. In determining parenting time and legal decision-making in the child(ren)’s best interests, the court refers to what…
Learn MoreThe Parenting Plan is the parties’ agreement regarding which parent will have the child. A good parenting plan clearly sets out where the child will be. (See Exhibit 1). In other words, if parents have a parenting plan, calendar and a watch, they know exactly where their children should be. Under A.R.S. § 25-403.02, every …
Learn MoreVoluntary Methods If one of the voluntary methods above are utilized, the Clerk of the Superior Court then issues an order establishing paternity, which is as effective as an order signed by a judge. Note that other forms will be necessary if Mother is married or was married during…
Learn MoreOften, when a batterer was the perpetrator of significant domestic violence, he or she continues to pose a danger to the child(ren) and the spouse/ex-spouse. Thus, the Court should apply A.R.S. § 25-403.03. Under A.R.S. § 25-403.03(A), the batterer may not receive...
Learn MoreOnce the Petition is filed and the opposing party is properly served, the clock begins to run on the time for filing a Response. Presently in Arizona, a responsive pleading must be made within twenty (20) days of service of the initial pleading…
Learn MoreA.R.S. § 25-409 is the third-party rights statute. It sets two different analyses one for visitation, and another for placement and/or legal decision-making. Arizona allows third party individuals to Petition the Court for the following: Placement of the minor child(ren) in the home of the third party...
Learn MoreThe third-party visitation is a much easier standard to meet than the third-party placement and legal decision-making standard. But the statute itself can be confusing. Here are some issues to keep in mind about this statute: Open Class. Although the statute mentions grandparent visitation and in loco parentis…
Learn MoreRule 2(B) Motions: ARFLP Rule 2 provides that all relevant evidence is admissible unless a party files with the Court a notice at least forty-five (45) days prior to a hearing or trial requiring strict compliance with all or part of the Arizona Rules of Evidence.[1] Many times, if it is to the benefit of …
Learn MoreArizona does not provide for joint filing of a divorce—one party must initiate by filing the petition with the court. There are several documents that need to be filled out and filed with the court. They vary depending on whether the client…
Learn MoreIn family law cases, the parties or the court may request third party professionals be appointed in cases to assist the court in making decisions regarding the best interests of the minor child(ren). These individuals can be appointed at any time during the case.…
Learn MoreBecause stock options are an extremely complicated topic when it comes to division in divorce actions, this article is just an overview of the basics. When a stock option is offered to an employee, it is called a grant. An option is exercised when the employee purchases the stock under the terms of the option granted by the employer.
Learn MoreAt some point you will have some basic issues regarding the tax consequences of your divorce. This material may provide you with some answers to frequently asked hypothetical questions, and may also identify some more complex issues that you may need to be made aware of.
Learn MoreThis publication explains the tax rules that apply when you sell (or otherwise give up ownership of) a home. It also shows you how to do the calculations you'll need to do.
Learn MoreThis credit is for people who have a qualifying child as defined later. It is in addition to the credit for child and dependent care expenses and the earned income credit.
Learn MoreFor use in preparing 2016 Returns
Learn MoreAdult children can be greatly affected by divorce. Most people recognize the risks and emotional damage that minor children experience when they are asked to pick sides in a divorce.
Learn MoreBest Law Firm has helped thousands of families during the past 18 years. We help families through negotiation, settlements, mediations and court litigation when necessary. The goal is to resolve issues with the least amount of money and stress and only use court litigation as a last resort. Every family we meet is important to us so we would like to share just a few of our success stories with you.
We represented an unmarried father and were able to reunite him with his 4 year old son after the mother secretly moved him to Florida.
We represented a mother and were able to require the father to undergo therapy before he could have any parenting time with his three daughters who he had been physically and emotionally abusing. We had a certified domestic violence expert testify in the case.
We represented an unmarried mother and were able to reunite her with her 2 year old daughter after the father took the child in secret without permission or a court order.
We represented a husband who had a large estate and the wife wanted assets greater than their prenuptial agreement allowed.
We represented a wife in a long term marriage to obtain the spousal maintenance that she was due.
We represented the husband whose wife violated their divorce decree's spousal maintenance agreement by living with her boyfriend.
We represented an unmarried mother and were able to obtain a large child support order from the father who was a professional athlete and it was upheld on appeal. (Murphy)
We represented an unmarried father and were able to fight abuse allegations filed against him and get a court order for 50-50 parenting time for his 2 children.
We represented an unmarried father and were able to defend him against false allegations and obtain a court order where he was named primary custodial parent of his 3 year old son.
We represented a mother who lived in Italy whose teenager was unlawfully kept in Arizona after summer visitation by the Father. It was ordered for the child to return to his mom in Italy.
We represented a father whose 2 children were taken to Kansas after their divorce was filed in Arizona and the court ordered them to be returned.
We represented a father who lived in Texas and fought for primary custody of his daughter who lived in Arizona. The daughter was able to move to Texas because of the mother's abuse and neglect.
We represented a Canadian mother whose husband attempted to get a divorce in Arizona where he could keep the kids. Mother had no long term visa and would have lost her children. Tali Collins was a "friend of the court" and was heard at a Canadian hearing on the same matter that had been filed in BC.
We were the mediators for a mother who wanted to keep the community house (and equity) and the father who wanted to keep his community retirement. We were able to craft an agreement where she received more spousal maintenance up front which the husband agreed to pay to keep the community retirement he had earned.
We represented two ER doctors and mediated their parenting agreement which was drafted to help each doctor have the maximum time with their son.
We represented a father who was a doctor and obtained sole custody of his two daughters after the mother had a worsening mental illness.
We represented a father whose former wife attempted to enforce an out of state child support arrears calculation that was incorrect. We also won the case on appeal. (Glover)
We represented a mother and successfully protected against potential kidnapping by the father to a non Hague country, the UAE. The parenting time order put in safety measures and supervisors to protect the daughters.
We represented a father from Japan to obtain a parenting time order for his young son.
We represented a father to severe the rights of the mother with their two daughters after the mother was imprisoned for criminal abuse against them.
We represented a father and were able to negotiate a parenting plan with joint legal decision making and a 50-50 parenting plan for his son.
We represented a divorced couple against the grandmother who wanted visitation time with their daughter against the parents' wishes.
We represented a married couple and negotiated visitation with a former mother in law, grandmother to their son/step son.
We represented grandparents and negotiated parenting time with a previously estranged father of their grandson.
We can conduct your consultation by phone, zoom or in person. Call us today at (480) 219-2433 or fill out the form below.