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...
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Maricopa County Family Law Blog
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...
How will a court determine my child’s best interests?
Child custody may be one of the most important decisions made in your divorce. As a parent, you are probably used to seeing your child every day, and you may be concerned about the time you will have with him or her post-divorce. It is often best for the child and the...
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...
Parental conflict? Parallel parenting could be the answer
Parenting after divorce is not easy. And it can be even more difficult when you and your ex-spouse cannot agree or get along.Consistent conflict can negatively impact the whole family in the long run - not just the relationship between parents. In these cases, parents...
Facing legal issues regarding parenting time after divorce?
Many Arizona households are comprised of single parents and their children. Yours might be among those whose family dynamics changed to this scenario because of a divorce. If so, then parenting time was no doubt a top priority issue when you devised a co-parenting...
Divorce: Less stigma nowadays but still stressful
Long ago, people thought twice about divorcing due to the negative social stigma attached to such ideas. In Arizona and elsewhere, divorce was commonly frowned upon. Nowadays, the stigma is long gone and people who wish to start over can easily tap into support...
Pet issues can be complex in divorce
Nowadays, many Arizona married couples consider their pets to be members of their families. This can not only cause emotional upheaval in divorce but can also create legal problems. Many attorneys report that they've seen an increase in court battles regarding pet...