Research has consistently established the domestic violence rate during the time of separation at between 40% and 80%. If you have experienced intimate partner violence, does that mean you can't undertake divorce mediation?The issues are trust and control. Can a...
Divorce
When can you claim Social Security under your ex spouse’s name?
If you divorced after marriage that was 10 years long or longer, you may be entitled to Social Security retirement benefits under your ex-spouse's record. This could occur if you are at least 62 and receiving benefits under your ex-spouse's record would be an...
What does an Arizona parenting plan need to contain?
If you're divorcing with children, you may have a disagreement with your divorcing spouse about how to share parenting time with the kids. If you can't agree, each of you will have to develop a proposed parenting plan to submit to the court. Then a judge will decide...
Can I keep my divorce records private in Arizona?
If you are considering divorce, you may wonder what happens to the records produced by a divorce trial. Are they public records like most court cases? Is there a way to keep things private?Traditionally Arizona, like other U.S. jurisdictions, has started with the...
What factors do the courts consider when setting parenting orders?
In any divorce with shared children, you will need to determine whether both parents will have legal decision-making authority and how much parenting time each will have. In general, you can negotiate this instead of going to court, although whatever agreement you...
The basic issues of dividing your shared business in a divorce
Divorce can be a challenge for anyone, but especially for people who operate a shared business or professional practice. How is this divided in an Arizona divorce?The first order of business is to determine how much of the business is considered community property....
Considering a divorce after 50? You’re not alone
Whether this is your first marriage or a subsequent one, there can be good reasons to consider divorcing over 50. Over the past few decades, "gray divorce" has become something of a trend. In fact, whereas the overall rate of divorce is declining in the United States,...
Should you choose mediation for your Arizona divorce?
In Arizona, the family courts encourage the use of mediation to resolve disputes, including the issues of divorce. Any issue can be voluntarily mediated, either by the parties' consent or a court order.Mediation is a confidential process handled by a neutral third...
What is community property and why does it matter in a divorce?
If you are getting a divorce in Arizona, you may be wondering why we're known as a "community property state." This is because we're one of only a few states that have organized marital property this way. Most states use an "equitable distribution" model.You may never...
Parenting after a rough divorce takes learning to let go
When you think about the term "co-parenting," it assumes you'll be cooperating and coordinating with your children's other parent. That may be the ideal but, in reality, it can be a lot harder than just agreeing to stick to a schedule. Each parent has their own...