Divorce, or “dissolution of marriage,” is the legal termination of the marital relationship. The divorce process involves a number of potentially complex issues, ranging from who will make decisions about your minor children, parenting time, and division of property and debt.
Several years ago, the Arizona Legislature eliminated the term “custody” from the family law statutes. Arizona courts now address “custody” in terms of legal decision making authority for the children and parenting time. Working out an agreement about legal decision making and parenting time can be difficult, especially when there are heightened emotions between parents.
By law, parents are required to financially support their children. The amount of child support a parent is required to pay, or receive, is based on a number of factors, including relative income, parenting time, child care costs, among others.
The courts typically base custody decisions on what is in the best interest of the child, and recognize the importance of fathers in the lives of their children. This means that mothers and fathers are considered equally in determining parenting time and custody.
Service Areas:
- Divorce
- Custody
- Child Support
- Orders of Protection
- Spousal Maintenance
- Guardianship
- Division of Property
- Parenting Time & Visitation Rights
- Father’s Rights
- Mediation
- Probate Law