Spousal maintenance (also known as alimony and spousal support) is financial support one spouse may be ordered to pay the other after a divorce or legal separation. Like most states, Arizona does not award this lightly. Today, its primary purpose is to help the...
Divorce
Why parents often divorce when their children leave home
Certain milestones in life have a strong association with divorce. An empty nest is one of them. It takes 18 years or longer to raise children to adulthood and help them become independent. Parents often look forward to the financial freedom, calm and privacy that...
When to update your Arizona parenting plan
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...
Does divorce mediation force people to compromise?
Many divorcing couples aspire to complete uncontested divorces. They want to retain control over the process instead of leaving everything up to a judge. Mediation is a helpful option for those dealing with major divorce disputes despite a desire to file an...
3 ways a divorce could negatively affect your finances
Divorce does more than end a marriage. It also reshapes financial futures. From income drops to increased debt, the economic toll can be staggering. For many people, the emotional weight of divorce overshadows the financial consequences, but ignoring the numbers can...
3 ways kids might prematurely find out about the imminent divorce
Divorce is a life-altering decision that often comes with a whirlwind of emotions, legal considerations and logistical challenges. For parents, breaking the news to their children is one of the most delicate elements of the process. Ideally, this conversation is...
What should you know when telling your kids about your divorce?
Parents don’t usually make the decision to divorce without a lot of consideration. Once you make this decision, you’ll have to share the news with your children. In some cases, the kids may be perceptive enough to know what’s coming, but it can come as a complete...
Top reasons why you shouldn’t handle a divorce on your own
On its face, the divorce process may seem relatively straightforward, especially if you and your spouse are on somewhat amicable terms and you think you can work out a resolution with them. As a result, you might be driven to save money by foregoing legal...
Preparing for divorce after 50
Are you among the growing number of people who are ending their marriages after decades together? More and more people in their 50s and older are deciding that it’s not too late to make big changes in their life and pursue their own goals, plans and dreams...
Dividing retirement benefits through a divorce
In many cases, the retirement benefits that someone is earning from their employer are one of their most significant assets. This retirement plan may be large enough that they won’t need additional savings. If that person is married, both they and their spouse may...