Entering the dating world can be tricky, especially if you are going through a divorce and have not dated in many years. The decision on when to start dating again is a personal decision--one that you should consider carefully. Many of my clients start dating new...
Serving With Skill And Compassion
Family Law
What happens if parents do not agree on a child’s involvement in extracurricular activities?
When separated parents share custody of their children, it can be challenging to navigate and agree on extracurricular activities ('ECA') that impact the schedules of both households. It can be especially difficult when one parent supports a child’s involvement, but...
Tips to Reduce Conflict in a Divorce
Divorce is extremely hard on both parents and children. In some cases, the stress and conflict during the proceedings can seriously damage your child's ability to form lasting relationships as they age. Arizona Family Rule 48 does give parents a way to change custody...
“I Need an Emergency Custody Order!”
Introduction Arizona Family Rule 48 does allow a person to seek emergency intervention from the court to suspend another parent's child access or legal decision-making ("LDM") rights. Used properly, the process can shield a child from serious physical injury or...
An Honest Discussion About Parental Alienation & Detraction
Parental alienation is a controversial topic. It does not appear (by name) anywhere in Arizona's child custody laws, but it is frequently alleged in family court when legal decision-making (LDM) and parenting time hang in the balance. Sometimes the claim is...
When equal parenting plans might not be the best option
As you create a post-separation parenting plan, you and your former partner will have a lot to think about - including the best child access schedule. Should it be divided evenly? Are there important reasons why it should not? Will the situation change enough in the...
Important Rules For Cases Involving Children
Many parents express confusion or misconceptions over how the family court decides legal decision-making (‘LDM’) and parenting time for children. In recent years, our Arizona Legislature has approved rules to guide judges through these difficult decisions. Since then,...
Divorce and your retirement savings
Property division can be a particularly stressful part of a divorce. You have spent years building a life, buying a home and saving for the future, and dividing this property will leave you with fewer resources. This is especially true of your retirement savings, and...
Three ways parents can help kids adjust to having two homes
For many children, divorce becomes real when one parent moves out of the house. The divorce papers could be signed before or after a parent moves out, but to a kid, the date the papers are signed usually doesn’t matter too much. As soon as one parent moves out, the...
Pitfalls in Your Family Court Case
Family court cases present multiple issues, such as legal decision-making for a child, parenting time, child support, spousal maintenance, and property or debt division. Each of these issues, in turn, is complex. So it is not unusual for parties to get disorganized,...