Tucson Family Law Blog

After a divorce, some parents in Arizona have a custody battle that results in one having sole custody. However, it may be possible for the other parent to win back custody.

First, the parent needs to be honest about why the judge decided this would be in the best interests of the child. The parent may have been wrongly accused of neglect or abuse or may have violated a court order. In some cases, a parent may be required to fulfill certain obligations in order to get custody restored. This might include a parenting class or a treatment program for alcohol or drug abuse. The parent may also want to seek an attorney at this stage.

When people in Arizona think about getting married, they may be very excited to take that next step forward in their lives. Amid all of the decisions that come with wedding planning and thinking about the future, it can also be important to consider practical steps to protect both parties' financial present and future. Many experts advise that a prenuptial agreement can be important to avoid future problems.

In general, no one wants to think about the possibility of getting a divorce when they are just deciding to tie the knot. However, a prenuptial agreement doesn't only need to be about pessimism. As more couples marry later in life, they often have substantial independent assets or children from prior relationships that can be a priority. A prenuptial agreement can exclude certain premarital property from property division under state law. The discussions that come with the creation of a prenuptial agreement can allow both parties to share information about their financial values and views of marriage and divorce.

It's not unusual for future spouses in Arizona to be choosy when it comes to their wedding date. Some couples prefer nuptials during certain seasons while thrifty brides and grooms may schedule their ceremonies on a weekday. Couples opting for specific "cute" dates with special significance may want to think twice if their goal is to enjoy a long, successful marriage. Results from a University of Melbourne study involving a million married couples suggest that certain wedding dates may not be so lucky after all.

It's couples tying the knot on Valentine's Day, long heralded as the most romantic day of the year, who are more likely to end up getting a divorce. Roughly 11 percent of couples studied who legally united on Feb. 14 ended up untying the knot within five years. Just under 25 percent of the Valentine's Day couples in the study had called it quits before they reached their decade mark.

Before Arizona parents are able to obtain a child support order, the relationship between the parents and the child must be established first. Maternity is established when the woman gives birth to the child. Paternity can be acknowledged in multiple ways.

If the parents of a child are married when the child is born, the husband is automatically assumed to be father of the children. However, if the parents are not married when the child is born, it will be necessary for them to complete a document that acknowledges the child's paternity. The parents can complete this form in the hospital at the time of the child's birth, or they can visit their local Vital Statistics Registrar or Child Support Enforcement Agency to complete the form.