Divorce Attorneys in Scottsdale Helping Clients with Divorce Proceedings
As you face the prospect of dissolving your marriage, you probably have many emotions and stressful decisions to deal with. You may have to move out of your marital home, plan how to care for minor children following the divorce, as well as deal with any disputed issues between yourself and your former spouse. These family law matters can quickly become complicated, but many times they can still be settled with mediation and the help of family law attorneys who have experience with all the issues that go along with divorce. You deserve to have professional legal help that can get you the results you need, and that will listen to you throughout the process to make sure your wishes are expressed in the decisions. Call The Sampair Group today to get in touch with our talented legal team and schedule a initial consultation to discuss your divorce further with us at 623-777-3909.
Is There More than One Type of Divorce Recognized in Arizona?
Yes, Arizona law views divorce in two different groups: contested and uncontested. These two different ways of dissolving marriage end up with the same result: the end of the legal marriage. The difference comes in how the process goes throughout the divorce. The deciding factor is whether or not the couple comes to agreements without mediation or court intervention or if the decisions made are disputed. The following summaries outline how a divorce might work if it is uncontested or contested:
What Happens When a Divorce is Uncontested?
Many divorce cases in Arizona fit this category. In an uncontested divorce, the couple usually comes to agreements easily, and there are few if any disagreements about divorce matters. Items such as dividing marital property, taking custody of the children, and dividing parenting time, as well as spousal maintenance and child support, may get resolved quickly and easily. Cases of uncontested divorce get finalized much more quickly, saving the couple time and money. This kind of divorce can end up getting settled in as few as 60 days and may sometimes take as long as 120 days. If disputes do arise, however, the legal process can become complicated and take much longer. For this reason, you will benefit greatly from having experienced attorneys like those at The Sampair Group on your side who can help whenever needed.
What is a Contested Divorce?
Many divorces do become contested because the two parties struggle to come to agreements on various aspects of the divorce. A family law attorney can offer mediation in such cases that may help speed up the process by offering a third party to any disputes, providing the couple the chance to resolve their differences and come to an agreement without court intervention. Mediation can help with virtually any dispute, including property division, spousal support, debt division, child support, and how to divide parenting time with the other spouse.
Sometimes in a contested divorce, professionals are needed to establish facts and evidence such as how much a spouse’s business, assets, and debt are worth. Psychological assessments of children may also be needed when arriving at a settlement of child custody. These situations can make the divorce proceedings take much longer and therefore add higher costs for both individuals involved, but with family law lawyers on your side, you can minimize the extra time and expense necessary for your divorce process.
What is Arizona Law Regarding the Children in a Divorce?
Arizona law recognizes that the safety and well-being of children involved in a divorce should be one of the primary concerns of everyone involved. Their best interest is the number one priority of the court, as well as keeping healthy relationships with both parents whenever possible. The law establishes that parental rights are the same for both parties, regardless of gender. The court also may not show any preference for one spouse based on gender alone, according to Arizona law. If parents cannot reach an agreement as to child support issues or as to who will care for the children, the court is required to intervene in order to come to a conclusion on these matters. If the court ends up needing to make orders on how to handle child custody questions, these are some factors that will come under consideration:
- Future, present, and past child-parent relationships
- Mental and physical health of both parents
- Domestic violence issues in the home
- The children’s wishes, if they are old enough
Child support and child custody, while some of the most important parts of a divorce are also some of the most difficult decisions to make and often end up being highly disputed in divorces in Arizona. Hiring a family law attorney can help make this process easier and faster to resolve, saving your family time and resources.
What Happens During a Divorce in Arizona?
The very first step to take as you begin the divorce process is to contact an experienced divorce attorney who can help you navigate the nuances of a divorce case. This process can be lengthy and even heartbreaking at times. You don’t need the extra stress of dealing with legal forms, courts, and paperwork all on your own. Every divorce is different, and legal issues can always be challenging to understand without having extensive experience in the field of law. Our legal team knows how to get results, and having us on your side will give you peace of mind knowing you are being represented truthfully and fairly.
We can help with the various documents that may be required during the divorce process, such as the Petition for Dissolution of the Marriage, a Preliminary Injunction should one be needed, a Maiden Name Restoration if you don’t want to retain your married name, and the Decree of Dissolution which will declare the dissolution of the marriage. Should any other forms or documentation be required, we will be there to help make sure everything is submitted properly to reduce the time and expense that the divorce demands of you.
Can Our Divorce Lawyers Help You?
Divorce proceedings are complicated and can quickly become frustrating due to disputes, even if the couple thinks they will have an uncontested divorce before beginning the process of legal separation. The issues of dividing finances, including retirement accounts, marital assets, and other community property and debts, are tricky to negotiate with a spouse from whom you are separating. Deciding on how you will handle child custody, child support, and spousal support can create further disagreements on these delicate matters. Our law firm knows how to get decisions made quickly and in your best interest, and we will stand by you no matter what your divorce requires. Get in touch with our skilled and compassionate legal team today to schedule your initial consultation at 623-777-3909.