Now is the winter of our discontent was a line penned by Shakespeare and spoken by Richard III to open the play of the same name. Though he was speaking of his good fortune, for many married couples winter is the season of their marital discontent and the time to file for a divorce. The […]
Read MoreWhen Is A Non-Modifiable Divorce Modifiable? When One of the Parties Lies
In Arizona, the parties to a divorce can agree that, in the future, a dissolution decree cannot be modified. By statute, a court cannot alter a separation agreement that prohibits future modifications. But there is an exception—when one of the parties lies or withholds information from the court. Nancy S. McNeil petitioned husband Robert Hoskyns […]
Read MoreArizona Cardinal’s Player Drops Ball in Paternity Suit
Football and fatherhood need not be at odds. Yet in the wake of Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer’s domestic violence case, another Arizona player is involved in a family law dispute. After fumbling a court appearance in a paternity suit, Arizona free safety, Tyrann Mathieu, is appealing a ruling that he was the father […]
Read MoreProtecting Your Children from Parental Kidnapping
Deciding how to best care for your children after a divorce or break-up is a difficult matter. Things like child custody and support are not often easily agreed upon, especially if you and your former significant other are on bad terms. The court might need to get involved to make a decision in such a […]
Read MoreSurrogate Causing Concern for Arizona Couple
For couples who have fertility issues, a surrogacy arrangement has become a valid option in the United States. A surrogate carries the child for the couple or individual who cannot. This person can have a biological relationship to the baby they are carrying, through the donation of an egg. If the sperm and egg are […]
Read MoreVictim of Statutory Rape Owes Child Support
The State of Arizona currently has over 150,000 child support cases pending with the Department of Economic Security. Many different scenarios can result in a parent’s liability for child support. Even a parent that conceived a child when they themselves were underage and that was the victim of statutory rape can be responsible for payment. […]
Read MoreDivorcing in Arizona? Now Is the Time to Start Assessing and Protecting Your Property
Most married couples are aware that marriage is more than an expression of love and commitment. Marriage is also a legal contract that can merge assets, combine debts and blur ownership rights for property that might otherwise be associated with just one of the two spouses. So, when a couple divorces, one or each spouse […]
Read MoreLawmaker’s Arizona Divorce Highlights Disclosure Risks
An unusual recent case highlights a risk that couples should be aware of when considering divorce—the disclosure of potentially embarrassing personal information. During her divorce proceedings, State Legislator Michelle Ugenti claimed legislative privilege and attorney client privilege to prevent Verizon from handing over several months of text messages to her husband. Her husband’s lawyer had […]
Read MoreFactors Considered in Arizona Child Custody Proceedings
Divorce is a complicated, long and expensive process that can involve many uncertainties. For those people with children, when faced with a divorce, one concern might be which spouse will get custody. In the State of Arizona, child custody is referred to as legal decision making and includes the right to make decisions relating to […]
Read MoreCan You Be Liable for Your Dead Ex-Spouse’s Debts in Arizona?
When two people get married they usually accumulate a variety of assets and liabilities. When two people get divorced, they have the opportunity to decide how their joint property will be distributed and who is responsible for what debts. If they cannot or will not make these decisions together, the court will decide for them. […]
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