When you signed your divorce papers, your parenting time schedule reflected your life at that moment – your work hours, your children’s ages and where everyone lived. Fast forward a few years, and those arrangements you carefully crafted might feel like they belong to...
Child Custody
Do you need court approval to relocate with your child?
When you share custody of your child in Arizona, moving to a new city or state comes with important legal steps. While it could be tempting to just leave the state, it is crucial to understand that there is a legal process involved. You must follow the rules to avoid...
I’ve been accused of parental alienation. Now what?
As we’ve discussed previously on the blog, parental alienation is real, and it can be extraordinarily harmful to kids. Courts have become more receptive to parental alienation arguments, too, making them a key piece of child custody cases throughout Arizona. While you...
What are urgent custody requests?
Sometimes, situations change quickly, and when a child’s safety is at risk, the court may step in through an emergency custody motion. These are legal requests that ask a judge to temporarily change who has custody of a child, usually when there is a serious concern...
How to split weekends when kids prefer the “fun” parent
Navigating shared custody can be a delicate dance, especially when children begin to express a preference. The kids may prefer spending all their weekends with one parent, the so-called “fun” parent. While both parents may be loving, responsible and involved, kids...
Tips for co-parenting so your children can thrive
Adults who are going through a divorce and share children should ensure they’re doing what they can to help their children thrive. Part of this is finding ways to work as a parenting team so the children get what they need. It’s not always easy to work with your ex,...
Joint legal custody and school disputes
In most Arizona custody cases, parents are awarded joint legal custody by a court. Legal custody involves making major decisions for children. Examples include decisions about education, healthcare and religion. Legal custody is different from physical custody,...
How are a child’s wishes considered in Arizona custody cases?
Child custody can be a complex topic, especially when considering a child's wishes. In Arizona, the child's preferences do play a role in custody decisions. Types of custody in Arizona Arizona recognizes two main types of custody: physical custody and legal custody....
What rights do stepparents have vs. biological parents?
Many Arizona families include stepparents who care for their spouse's children daily. Yet state laws give stepparents and biological parents different rights. These differences affect daily decisions about children's lives and future care. What the law says about...
How do domestic violence allegations impact child custody?
In Arizona family law cases, children need to be given close attention to make sure they are in a safe and nurturing environment. The court strives to serve the child’s best interests above all. This can be complicated in many cases, but it is particularly problematic...