Divorce Attorney In Gilbert, AZ
Few people enter marriages with the assumption that they will eventually get divorced, and most married couples don’t spend much time considering things like how they would divide assets and assign child custody should they split up. Now that you’re on the verge of a divorce, you will have to give thought to these and many other issues. The good news is that you don’t have to go through it alone. You can work with an experienced Gilbert divorce lawyer.
Divorces are stressful. Having a Certified Family Law Specialist like those at Ellsworth Family Law, P.C., on your side can make all the difference. Our team has been in practice as a boutique firm for over 20 years. In that time, we’ve handled all kinds of divorce cases and developed a clear understanding of how we can leverage Gilbert divorce laws to get a positive outcome in your case.
Hire a Divorce Lawyer
In 2023, Arizona had a marriage rate of 5.6 marriages per 1,000 residents and a divorce rate of 2.0 divorces per 1,000 residents. Of course, many of the adults who get divorces go on to start new families through marriage or cohabitation. Around 66% of adults who get divorced remarry, and 46% of them have children with their new spouses.
Regardless of whether you intend to remarry, you’ll need to get through the divorce process, which can be difficult. The easiest way to ensure that the process goes smoothly is to hire a trusted divorce lawyer who can protect your rights and interests throughout. A divorce lawyer can help you identify potential hidden assets, ensure that your children’s best interests are represented during custody hearings, and help you avoid common pitfalls such as missing deadlines.
Legal Requirements for Divorce
Arizona Revised Statutes Section 25-381.24 governs divorce in the state. Local laws indicate that eligibility for divorce requires living in Arizona for at least 90 days before filing. You’ll also have to go through a 60-day waiting period if your spouse contests the divorce.
Like most states, Arizona allows no-fault divorces, which means you don’t need to have specific legal grounds to dissolve your marriage. The grounds for a no-fault divorce are that the marriage is irretrievably broken and there is no way that you and your spouse will reconcile.
Your spouse might contest these grounds for divorce, denying that the marriage is irretrievably broken. If that’s the case, you’ll have to attend a court hearing to determine whether you can move forward with the divorce proceedings.
Covenant Marriages and Divorce
Covenant marriages are relatively new under state law, but they’re ancient in terms of religious tradition. In the context of a state-supported marriage, covenant marriages add extra demands on couples, making it more difficult for them to get divorced. If you’ve entered a covenant marriage, you may be required to attend counseling for a specific time, and the grounds for divorce will be limited. The grounds for divorce in a covenant marriage can include:
- Adultery
- Felony imprisonment
- Abandonment for over a year
- Sexual abuse
- Domestic violence
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Consent of both spouses
You can also file for divorce from a covenant marriage if you’ve lived apart for more than one year following a legal separation or more than two years without a legal separation from your spouse.
How to Get Started
The simplest way to get a divorce is to work with a divorce attorney. Your attorney will help you file paperwork at the Maricopa County Superior Court. From there, you’ll have to address the division of property, assignment of child custody, and potential assignment of spousal support payments. Your lawyer can help you with all these arrangements. If your spouse contests your divorce, your lawyer can also represent you in court.
FAQs
What Is a Wife Entitled to in a Divorce in Arizona?
What a wife is entitled to in a divorce is an equal share of any community property acquired during the marriage, including both assets such as homes, bank accounts, and retirement funds, and debts such as loans and credit card debts. Some wives are also entitled to spousal maintenance, or alimony, but judges base the appropriateness of this solution on a case-by-case basis.
How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in AZ?
Divorce lawyer cost in Gilbert, AZ varies based on factors such as where they practice, how experienced the law firm is, and whether they are specialists in their practice area. Additional concerns that will influence the total cost of your divorce include whether any aspect of it is contested and if you must go to trial. Complex divorces also cost more to resolve than simple, straightforward cases.
What Are the 3 C’s of Divorce?
The 3 C’s of divorce are communication, compromise, and collaboration. The point of this framework for considering the dissolution of a marriage is to emphasize the importance of working together to find a middle ground, communicate openly, and achieve a positive outcome peacefully instead of engaging in stressful and costly custody and property division battles.
Who Loses More Financially in a Divorce?
Who loses more financially in a divorce depends on how much each spouse earned both before and during the marriage. However, as a result, women are more likely to face significant drops in household income and are at a higher risk of poverty than men. They typically have lower-paid pre-divorce incomes, must take career breaks to raise children, and don’t always receive the full amount of child support and alimony payments to which they are entitled.
Gilbert Divorce Lawyer
Ellsworth Family Law, P.C., is comprised of two Certified Family Law Specialists, a third partner, and four legal paraprofessionals. Our team is proud to offer boutique services to clients across the Gilbert area. If you’re looking for a seasoned Gilbert divorce lawyer, you can trust us to handle your case with professionalism and personalized care. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.
Client Testimonials
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“Attorney Steve Ellsworth is THE BEST IN THE VALLEY! He really took the time to understand my custody case, made my case feel important, prioritised speaking with me though he had a very tight schedule and his knowledge of family law is incredible! He really values his clients, I don’t know what I would have done without him. His staff is very friendly and attentive as well. Ellsworth law is worth every penny and they were able to work with my budget to setup a payment plan. I MOST DEFINITELY will be using Ellsworth law for all my family law needs!”
— Alexis H.
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“Had a quick question. Called other places beforehand but none were willing to assist without me going in. However the lady who answered the phone just assisted me and answered my question without even batting an eye, she even put me on hold and went and clarified with someone before giving me a for sure answer. The fact that they at least answered the question without asking for me to come in or for compensation made me extremely happy! I know this isnt a review on a law service they provided after paying, but still wanted people to know how much I appreciated the fact they did something no other law group I called would. Just answer a simple question.”
— Isaak F.
We encourage you to read our Yelp Reviews and third-party ratings. Our strong reputation reflects our commitment to personalized service and real results for every client.
Ellsworth Family Law, P.C. – Gilbert, AZ Office
1630 S Stapley Dr #200, Mesa, AZ 85204
