If you have a child and you are not married to the other parent, it is important to establish the paternity of the biological father with a court order. Simply being on the birth certificate does not create the legal rights and responsibilities like a court order.
Once paternity is established, the parties can agree on, or have the court determine, three issues: legal decision-making, parenting time and child support. The process is to file a complaint in paternity with the court and serve the other party. If the alleged father denies paternity, the court can order a DNA test. If the DNA test shows a 95% or higher probability of paternity, the alleged father is presumed to be the biological father. The court can then proceed to enter orders for legal decision-making, parenting time and child support. If you would like more information, refer to my FAQs under child custody and child support, or contact me directly.
If you have a child and you are not married to the other parent, it is important to establish the paternity of the biological father with a court order. Simply being on the birth certificate does not create the legal rights and responsibilities like a court order.
Once paternity is established, the parties can agree on, or have the court determine, three issues: legal decision-making, parenting time and child support. The process is to file a complaint in paternity with the court and serve the other party. If the alleged father denies paternity, the court can order a DNA test. If the DNA test shows a 95% or higher probability of paternity, the alleged father is presumed to be the biological father. The court can then proceed to enter orders for legal decision-making, parenting time and child support. If you would like more information, refer to my FAQs under child custody and child support, or contact me directly.
Hello, I want to speak to you today about the difference between a divorce and legal separation in the state of Arizona. In actuality, there are very few differences between the two and in both cases the court is going to divide your assets, divide the community debts, enter orders for custody of the children, order child support, if appropriate in both cases, the court will order alimony, or what we refer to as spousal maintenance.
The only difference between a legal separation and a divorce then is, the spouses are not returned to the status of being single people and are not free to remarry. If you have any other questions regarding the differences between a divorce and a legal separation, please feel free to contact me.
By: Chris Hildebrand
Hello, I want to speak to you today about the difference between a divorce and legal separation in the state of Arizona. In actuality, there are very few differences between the two and in both cases the court is going to divide your assets, divide the community debts, enter orders for custody of the children, order child support, if appropriate in both cases, the court will order alimony, or what we refer to as spousal maintenance.
The only difference between a legal separation and a divorce then is, the spouses are not returned to the status of being single people and are not free to remarry. If you have any other questions regarding the differences between a divorce and a legal separation, please feel free to contact me.
By: Chris Hildebrand
Prenuptial agreements are generally enforceable in Arizona courts. There are some pre-requisites though that are required before a prenuptial agreement can be enforced by a court. Number one, the court has to find that it was in writing and made in contemplation of marriage. Secondly, it can’t be unconscionable. If it’s unconscionable, that means it’s not fair, certain requirements weren’t made for financial disclosure or the waiver of financial disclosures, or that the provisions of the agreement were repugnant to the sense of justice. Each case is uniquely different and we’d be happy to look at your case individually. If you’d like to talk to us more about that, feel free to email me.
Prenuptial agreements are generally enforceable in Arizona courts. There are some pre-requisites though that are required before a prenuptial agreement can be enforced by a court. Number one, the court has to find that it was in writing and made in contemplation of marriage. Secondly, it can’t be unconscionable. If it’s unconscionable, that means it’s not fair, certain requirements weren’t made for financial disclosure or the waiver of financial disclosures, or that the provisions of the agreement were repugnant to the sense of justice. Each case is uniquely different and we’d be happy to look at your case individually. If you’d like to talk to us more about that, feel free to email me.
Parents sharing joint legal custody, now referred to as joint legal decision-making, must reach agreements regarding major life decisions affecting their children. Each parent’s rights and responsibilities in communicating about reaching agreements regarding these decisions, are outlined in a court ordered parenting plan. Disagreements between parents regarding these decisions are often resolved through mediation, or through the use of a third person usually referred to as a parenting coordinator.
In Arizona, the law is that it is consistent with the child’s best interest. The court shall adapt a parenting plan that provides both parents to share legal decision-making regarding their child. New custody law encourages, but does not mandate equal parenting time. Additionally, the same section of the statute provides that the court shall not prefer a parent’s proposed parenting plan because of the parent or the child’s gender. It is always best if both parents can decide custody for the best interest of their children.
However, if not able to do so, the court will enact orders either joint or sole legal decision-making at the time of trial. Presently, there is a greater emphasis on parental responsibility as well as parental right. There is a presumption however, that joint legal decision-making is not in the child’s best interest if one of the parents has committed an act of domestic violence, abuse drugs, alcohol, or has being convicted of any drug offense within the last 12 months before the petition was filed.
The most compelling factors the court must consider when deciding legal decision-making and parenting time in Arizona, include the children’s relationship with each parent and any siblings, the children’s adjustment to each parents home, schools, and the community each parent resides in. Another factor is the wishes of the children, but only if the child is of a suitable age and maturity to make such decisions.
The mental and physical health of all individuals involved in the family and the children residing in the home. It also includes which parent is more likely to allow the children frequent, meaningful, and continuing contact with the other parent. The court also weighs any domestic violence, child abuse, and child neglect issues, as well as any intentional misleading of the court by either parent to cause unnecessary delay, increased cost of litigation, or to attempt to persuade the court to prefer the false-reporting parent’s position over the other. If you’re in need of a professional or experienced attorney to represent you and your children’s best interest in any family law matter, please call Alan Cochran at Hildebrand Law PC at (480) 305-8300 to schedule an appointment.
By: Alan Cochran
Parents sharing joint legal custody, now referred to as joint legal decision-making, must reach agreements regarding major life decisions affecting their children. Each parent’s rights and responsibilities in communicating about reaching agreements regarding these decisions, are outlined in a court ordered parenting plan. Disagreements between parents regarding these decisions are often resolved through mediation, or through the use of a third person usually referred to as a parenting coordinator.
In Arizona, the law is that it is consistent with the child’s best interest. The court shall adapt a parenting plan that provides both parents to share legal decision-making regarding their child. New custody law encourages, but does not mandate equal parenting time. Additionally, the same section of the statute provides that the court shall not prefer a parent’s proposed parenting plan because of the parent or the child’s gender. It is always best if both parents can decide custody for the best interest of their children.
However, if not able to do so, the court will enact orders either joint or sole legal decision-making at the time of trial. Presently, there is a greater emphasis on parental responsibility as well as parental right. There is a presumption however, that joint legal decision-making is not in the child’s best interest if one of the parents has committed an act of domestic violence, abuse drugs, alcohol, or has being convicted of any drug offense within the last 12 months before the petition was filed.
The most compelling factors the court must consider when deciding legal decision-making and parenting time in Arizona, include the children’s relationship with each parent and any siblings, the children’s adjustment to each parents home, schools, and the community each parent resides in. Another factor is the wishes of the children, but only if the child is of a suitable age and maturity to make such decisions.
The mental and physical health of all individuals involved in the family and the children residing in the home. It also includes which parent is more likely to allow the children frequent, meaningful, and continuing contact with the other parent. The court also weighs any domestic violence, child abuse, and child neglect issues, as well as any intentional misleading of the court by either parent to cause unnecessary delay, increased cost of litigation, or to attempt to persuade the court to prefer the false-reporting parent’s position over the other. If you’re in need of a professional or experienced attorney to represent you and your children’s best interest in any family law matter, please call Alan Cochran at Hildebrand Law PC at (480) 305-8300 to schedule an appointment.
By: Alan Cochran
A very common question we receive is, how long will it take to finalize my divorce case. In Arizona, the short answer is that it has to take at least (61) days. By statute, the court cannot grant a divorce until 60 days after the case has been filed, and the other person has been served, or notified of the case, and so especially in simple cases where the parties can reach an agreement, we can often finalize those cases in (60) to (90) days.
With more complicated cases, especially those cases where we have to gather documents, and we have to gather evidence, and we have to prepare witnesses, and we have to prepare for trial, those cases can take (4) to (6) months and even in certain cases, up to a year. Now, if you’d like more information about your divorce case, please contact us (480) 733-6800, or you can visit us online.
If you are looking to finalize a divorce case in Arizona, please visit a profile and complete a contact form.
A very common question we receive is, how long will it take to finalize my divorce case. In Arizona, the short answer is that it has to take at least (61) days. By statute, the court cannot grant a divorce until 60 days after the case has been filed, and the other person has been served, or notified of the case, and so especially in simple cases where the parties can reach an agreement, we can often finalize those cases in (60) to (90) days.
With more complicated cases, especially those cases where we have to gather documents, and we have to gather evidence, and we have to prepare witnesses, and we have to prepare for trial, those cases can take (4) to (6) months and even in certain cases, up to a year. Now, if you’d like more information about your divorce case, please contact us (480) 733-6800, or you can visit us online.
If you are looking to finalize a divorce case in Arizona, please visit a profile and complete a contact form.
In Arizona, we don’t use the word legal custody anymore. We now refer to legal custody as decision-making authority. Sole legal decision making authority refers to a situation where one parent makes all the major decisions for a child. It’s rare. Most of the time, legal decision-making is joint. For more information, contact me, Greg Davis at Davis Limited, (602) 279-1900.
By: Greg Davis
In Arizona, we don’t use the word legal custody anymore. We now refer to legal custody as decision-making authority. Sole legal decision making authority refers to a situation where one parent makes all the major decisions for a child. It’s rare. Most of the time, legal decision-making is joint. For more information, contact me, Greg Davis at Davis Limited, (602) 279-1900.
By: Greg Davis
There are two basic ways we can help our clients to resolve any divorce case. One is through settlement, and the other is by going to trial. Trial has certain advantages in that you can present your evidence to a judge who is a neutral person and that judge can enter orders that that judge thinks is appropriate, but there are a lot of costs associated with going to trial including the financial cost, but also the emotional cost, and the sleepless nights, and waiting to get ready for trial.
Most clients prefer to be able to resolve their case through settlement. Sometimes settlement is the parties talking among themselves and then I, as the attorney, simply draw up that agreement. Sometimes we do an informal settlement where we talk to both parties and the attorneys involved in that. If necessary, we can bring in a professional mediator to help the parties be able to reach an agreement.
Parties are generally much more pleased with an agreement that they’ve been able to negotiate, that they’ve been able to participate in, and reach. And also, the other party is more likely to fall through and comply with an agreement that he or she has negotiated.
Now if you would like more information regarding trial, or mediation, or your divorce case, contact us at (480) 733-6800, or you can visit us online. If you have more questions on settlement and litigation in a divorce case in Arizona, please contact a lawyer in your area.
There are two basic ways we can help our clients to resolve any divorce case. One is through settlement, and the other is by going to trial. Trial has certain advantages in that you can present your evidence to a judge who is a neutral person and that judge can enter orders that that judge thinks is appropriate, but there are a lot of costs associated with going to trial including the financial cost, but also the emotional cost, and the sleepless nights, and waiting to get ready for trial.
Most clients prefer to be able to resolve their case through settlement. Sometimes settlement is the parties talking among themselves and then I, as the attorney, simply draw up that agreement. Sometimes we do an informal settlement where we talk to both parties and the attorneys involved in that. If necessary, we can bring in a professional mediator to help the parties be able to reach an agreement.
Parties are generally much more pleased with an agreement that they’ve been able to negotiate, that they’ve been able to participate in, and reach. And also, the other party is more likely to fall through and comply with an agreement that he or she has negotiated.
Now if you would like more information regarding trial, or mediation, or your divorce case, contact us at (480) 733-6800, or you can visit us online. If you have more questions on settlement and litigation in a divorce case in Arizona, please contact a lawyer in your area.
My name is Joel Hoffman. I’m a family law attorney at Warner Angle and I’ve been practicing family law in Arizona for over thirty years. I always return my client’s calls everyday. Sometimes I even surprise my clients because I call them in the evenings and on weekends. And the main compliment that I seem to always get is that I am caring, compassionate and a strong advocate for my clients and I find that provides me with getting them excellent results. I over-prepare for my client’s cases. I know the cases backward and forward and I’m able to give an incredible presentation to the court. Well, I can tell you I’ve had many sleepless nights over some of my client’s cases.
Sometimes, I feel like I worry about my client’s cases as much, if not more than the clients themselves. I find that when clients come into my office, they have lots of concerns and emotions. And so my job is to try and give them some sense of independence, a sense of empowerment, some guidance and some focus, so they can get through one of the most difficult periods that they will ever face in their entire life. I really take it to heart. It’s something that really bothers me that I go home at night and I really am dedicated and concerned for their well being and really try so hard to get them a favorable outcome in the court, so that when they leave my office and have finished the divorce process, they can go on and start a new chapter in their life. If you call me at (602) 264-7101, at my law firm, which is called Warner Angle, I’d be more than happy to schedule a complimentary consultation to answer all your family law questions.
My name is Joel Hoffman. I’m a family law attorney at Warner Angle and I’ve been practicing family law in Arizona for over thirty years. I always return my client’s calls everyday. Sometimes I even surprise my clients because I call them in the evenings and on weekends. And the main compliment that I seem to always get is that I am caring, compassionate and a strong advocate for my clients and I find that provides me with getting them excellent results. I over-prepare for my client’s cases. I know the cases backward and forward and I’m able to give an incredible presentation to the court. Well, I can tell you I’ve had many sleepless nights over some of my client’s cases.
Sometimes, I feel like I worry about my client’s cases as much, if not more than the clients themselves. I find that when clients come into my office, they have lots of concerns and emotions. And so my job is to try and give them some sense of independence, a sense of empowerment, some guidance and some focus, so they can get through one of the most difficult periods that they will ever face in their entire life. I really take it to heart. It’s something that really bothers me that I go home at night and I really am dedicated and concerned for their well being and really try so hard to get them a favorable outcome in the court, so that when they leave my office and have finished the divorce process, they can go on and start a new chapter in their life. If you call me at (602) 264-7101, at my law firm, which is called Warner Angle, I’d be more than happy to schedule a complimentary consultation to answer all your family law questions.
In Arizona, we have a procedure called a petition for temporary orders. A temporary orders petition asks the court to award spousal maintenance, child support and, or parenting time and decision making authority, with respect to children while the divorce is going on. For more information, contact me, Greg Davis at Davis Limited, (602) 279-1900.
By: Greg Davis
In Arizona, we have a procedure called a petition for temporary orders. A temporary orders petition asks the court to award spousal maintenance, child support and, or parenting time and decision making authority, with respect to children while the divorce is going on. For more information, contact me, Greg Davis at Davis Limited, (602) 279-1900.
By: Greg Davis
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