Phoenix Divorce Lawyer

Divorce (Dissolution)

To obtain a divorce in Arizona either party may ask the court for a dissolution of the marriage. We are a “no fault” state which means that the only reason that needs to be stated for the request is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. If you or your spouse have resided in Arizona for at least ninety days, you may seek out the divorce in Arizona. Our staff can guide you through the process from start to finish.

Every family has unique circumstances that make them different from others, speak with an experienced Phoenix divorce attorney regarding your circumstances to discuss navigating these difficult times.

Legal Decision Making (Legal Custody)

What was traditionally known as legal custody is known in Arizona as legal decision making. Legal decision making means making important decisions for your child(ren) such as where they will attend school, what doctors they will see and what religion they will practice. Arizona has a presumption that joint legal decision making is in the child’s best interest, however, there are situations where it could be found that sole legal decision making or final decision making authority should be assigned to one parent. Every family has a unique set of facts, we are here to discuss them with you and help guide you to what type of legal decision making fits your family’s needs.

Parenting Time (Visitation)

What is traditionally known as visitation is referred to in Arizona as parenting time. Parenting time refers to the time that the child will spend with each parent during the week. Parenting plans include holiday and vacation schedules. The most common equal parenting time schedule is what is referred to as a 5-2-2-5 schedule. This schedule indicates that the child(ren) would spend Monday and Tuesday with one parent every week then spend Wednesday and Thursday with the other parent then the weekends would alternate. Each family dynamic is different and this plan may not be the right fit for your particular situation. We are available to discuss your dynamic and can recommend a parenting plan that would work best for your child(ren).

There are many factors the court consider when it comes to parenting time, these factors include but are not limited to the parent child relationships, how the child is adjusted to the home, school and community, the mental and physical health of the individuals involved, whether a parent is more likely to allow a meaningful and continuing relationship with the other parent, if the court has been misled by one of the parties, and whether there has been domestic violence or child abuse. Contact an experienced Maricopa County Family Law Attorney now at (602) 699-4949 to discuss the unique set of circumstances in your matter.

Child Support

Both parents have an obligation to provide financial support for their children. In Arizona child support is calculated based upon the Arizona Child Support Guidelines. A child support obligation typically ends when the child(ren) turn eighteen or graduate from high school. There are certain circumstances where child support can extend beyond the age of eighteen or upon graduating high school. We are available to discuss your current financial circumstances and advocate for your right to receive child support or in the alternative to ensure that you are not unjustly burdened with payments in excess of your means.

Arizona has a set of guidelines they use to determine the amount of child support one parent is obligated to pay. We can help you determine the factors that will be considered in your case based on your unique set of circumstances. Contact an experienced Phoenix Family Law Attorney now at (602) 699-4949 to set up a free consultation.

Paternity

Paternity is the legal determination of the biological father of a child. Establishing paternity is the first step needed to establish parental rights for a father. Paternity can be established through DNA testing or voluntarily acknowledgement. Until the father establishes his rights through paternity a mother may and often does make decisions for the child(ren) without father’s input and can allow or withhold visitation if she wishes. We are here to advocate for you and help you establish your rights. Call us today to discuss your situation.

Adult Guardianship

Some families find that a member of the family is considered to be “incapacitated” this sometimes can be due to mental or physical illness or disability or drug abuse. These incapacitated individuals are unable to make decisions for themselves. The court can appoint an individual as the incapacitated persons guardian to make arrangements for housing, education, medical care, food, clothing and social activities.

It is the responsibility of the guardian to ensure that the incapacitated person maintains as much independence and autonomy as possible and that the ward is receiving appropriate medical care, proper education and their overall health and welfare is protected. There are many responsibilities as a guardian, call us now to discuss how we can help you help your loved one (602) 699-4949.

Contact an Experienced Divorce Attorney in Phoenix or the Surrounding Cities (602) 699-4949

If you find yourself facing a family law issue, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from an attorney who knows what you are going through and can help guide you through the process. We represent people in Phoenix, Glendale, Surprise, Peoria, Sun City, Goodyear, Buckeye, Avondale, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Cave Creek, El Mirage, Fountain Hills, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and other cities in Maricopa County. To speak to a Phoenix divorce lawyer, call us at (602) 699-4949 or contact us online.