Divorce is never easy, and it can be even more complicated when there are children involved, so it is crucial that each parent fully understands their options. This post will cover the difference between custody, legal decision-making, and parenting time. Legal...
A variety of situations can lead someone to adoption. One of these situations is one in which you have a relationship with a stepchild, and wish to formally adopt him or her. The fact that a child is not your biological child does not hinder the nurturing, positive...
Grandparents play a vital role in their grandchildren’s lives. In fact, grandparents often pinch-hit in the ongoing care and comfort of their grandchildren. In Arizona, however, grandparents have limited rights when it comes to adopting or obtaining legal visitation...
Relative (or “kinship) adoptions are adoptions in which adults adopt children whom they’re related to (or who are close to their families). Kinship adoption can be a very effective means of lovingly including a child – who unexpectedly needs parental care – in an...
Adoption is an exciting time in any parent’s life, and stepparent adoptions are one of the most common forms of adoption in the United States. When people remarry, they often already have children whom they bring together as members of a new larger family. As family...
Stepfathers can develop extremely close relationships with their stepchildren. This can be especially true if the child’s biological father does not play a significant role in the child’s life. However, despite a close bond, stepparents do not have any legal parental...
I meet with many people who have questions about how to properly calculate their child support (or people who have done it incorrectly). Here are a few guidelines to make sure you calculate your child support correctly: When imputing income figures remember that it...
Tax season is upon us and there are some important tax issues that people , in Arizona who are going through a divorce–and people who are already divorced–should consider. For people currently divorcing in Arizona, a common question is whether you and your spouse must...
You may have heard the term civil annulment used when a married couple decides to end their marriage. This form of ending a marriage can be used on a limited basis within certain circumstances. For most couples, divorce, not civil annulment, is the way to end their...
When you file for divorce in Arizona, there are a few documents that need to be filed, each serving a different purpose. Documents include The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Summons, Sensitive Data, Notice Regarding Health Insurance, Notice to Creditors, Notice...