If you want to protect your child, you need to be prepared to seek a custody modification when the facts warrant it. There are several issues that can justify a motion to modify custody or visitation, but you must provide evidence to support your motion, which can be harder than it seems. One common issue that often raises child custody concerns is domestic violence. But making bald assertions that your child has been exposed to domestic violence is going to be insufficient to make successful custody arguments. So, how do you present your case for modification? Know the harm associated with ex ..read more

Getting married is a process. Even for those opting for a simple ceremony, planning is still required. Similarly, ending the union requires a process and planning as well. While a spouse’s frame of mind and emotions are vastly different in each process, the reality is that beginning and ending a marriage requires effort and a process. Filing for divorce For many, the details of a divorce are not fully known until they are moving forward with the process. Thus, it is likely they are unaware of the potential divorce issues that could arise. As such, it is important that you not only understand t ..read more

Parental alienation is more common than you might think. In fact, some studies have shown that as many as 25% of parents engage in alienating behavior, sometimes even several years after a divorce is finalized. And this behavior can cause significant harm to you, your child, and your relationship with your child if you don’t quickly get a handle on it. Unfortunately, though, many parents in the Phoenix area don’t know how to identify alienation, let alone how to stop it. That’s why in this post we want to give you some starting points for building your alienation arguments so that you’re bette ..read more

Arizona is a community property state. This means that assets that are acquired during marriage are considered to be jointly owned. As a result, when you divorce, it’s anticipated that those assets will be divided equally. That doesn’t prevent you, however, from negotiating a property division settlement that is fair to you and your spouse, even if it deviates from a straight 50/50 split of the marital assets. The family home is often a subject of this type of negotiation. For many, fighting for the family home is crucial to their future. They’ve attached sentimental value to the home, and the ..read more

In Phoenix, Arizona, the landscape of adoption for LGBTQIA+ families is a topic of frequent inquiry, and it is a complicated topic. Adoption rights span both international and domestic, and understanding the rights and challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples is paramount for those looking to adopt. International adoption: understanding the dynamics International adoption involves a myriad of legal and cultural considerations. In Arizona, LGBTQIA+ families have the legal recognition to adopt internationally. While there are no explicit restrictions, it is essential to navigate the ..read more

There is a common question within the parental community: can divorced or unmarried couples in Phoenix, Arizona, establish an informal child support agreement without involving the court? While the possibility exists, it is generally not advisable. Informal child support agreement An informal child support agreement is a mutual arrangement between parents, outlining financial and non-financial support for their child. This commitment underscores shared responsibility, ensuring both parents contribute to their child’s upbringing. Is it possible? Yes, it is possible to reach a child support agre ..read more

As time changes, your existing child custody order might become untenable. Or you may choose to forego a formal custody order altogether. Although in some instances those approaches can lead to a significant amount of conflict, in others the parents agree that change needs to occur. Sometimes, though, friction arises in discussing what that change should look like. To save time and money, as well as to keep their matters private, a lot of these parents try to hash out an informal resolution amongst themselves. While that might seem like that’ll. help you develop a stronger co-parenting relatio ..read more

There might be a belief that younger people are more vulnerable to divorce than older people. However, marital disagreements, unhappiness and dissatisfaction can occur in any Arizona marriage regardless of the couple’s age, financial situation and duration of the union. To emphasize how perception differs from reality, statistics show that a rising number of older people are deciding to part ways. This phenomenon is frequently referred to as a “gray divorce” because involves people 55 and above. While there are common denominators in many divorces, older people have unique challenges they must ..read more

Property division is one of the most complex aspects of almost any Arizona divorce. You may believe that you do not own a lot of property so the process will be simple, but once the divorce gets underway, you could realize you own more than you thought. The first step in the property division process is identifying your property as community or separate property. You must then do the same with debts. Community and separate property Generally, community property is property that you purchased during your marriage, with some exceptions. The exceptions include property received by gift or inherit ..read more

Heading into your divorce, you probably want to get the process over as quickly as possible. That’s understandable. After all, many divorces are riddled with pain, agony, and uncertainty. But rushing your divorce could put you at a disadvantage far into the future. You could lose out on marital assets that you’re entitled to, and you could be subjected to a custody order that doesn’t fully support your children’s best interests. That’s why it’s important to take the time necessary to focus on those issues that matter most to you, even if it will slow down the overall process. While thorough pr ..read more