Experienced Family Lawyer In Pinal County Valley, AZ
Family law matters can be very complicated. Emotions often run high, and personal interests may intermingle with legal ones in complex ways. When you are going through a change to your family situation, you need strong legal support to help you understand your position and choose the right next steps. You can move forward with confidence when you reach out to an experienced Pinal County Valley family law attorney for assistance.
About Ellsworth Family Law, P.C.
Whether you are going through a divorce, seeking custody of a child, attempting to get child support, or something else, the outcome of your family law matter can have a profound effect on your life and the life of your child. When the stakes are that high, you need an attorney with deep knowledge of Arizona family law and a strong track record of successful advocacy for their clients.
At Ellsworth Family Law, P.C., family law is all we do, and we have been serving clients in Pinal County Valley and the surrounding area for more than 20 years. Two of our partner attorneys, Steve Ellsworth and Glenn Halterman, are Certified Family Law Specialists, a designation that recognizes their dedication and extensive knowledge in this area of law.
Our firm also stands apart from others because we employ two legal paraprofessionals who are certified paralegals licensed with the State Bar of Arizona. These individuals, while not attorneys, are knowledgeable in family law and can competently answer clients’ questions and handle some courtroom matters, as well.
If you are facing a family law matter, you may feel overwhelmed and apprehensive about what the future might bring, but with the help of an attorney from our firm, you can take your next steps with confidence, knowing that we are here to advocate for you until your matter is resolved.
Divorce in Arizona
Divorce is not uncommon in Arizona. According to the latest Centers for Disease Control data from 2023, Arizona’s divorce rate is 2.0 per 1,000 residents. However, just because divorce is common does not mean it is easy or simple.
Divorce is much more than signatures on legal documents. It is the process of disentangling two lives socially, financially, and materially. The process of laying out a couple’s financial situation and dividing assets, debts, real property, and any other items according to the law can be time-consuming and tedious.
Divorces can generally be uncontested or contested. In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree to get the divorce and agree on how to divide property, assets, and debts, and on how to co-parent if children are involved. Uncontested divorces are often fairly quick and efficient because there is no need for mediation or litigation, and both individuals work together to resolve.
When the people divorcing disagree on one or more major aspects of their divorce, the divorce is considered contested. In a contested divorce, the spouses may each need to retain an attorney to participate in negotiations and advocate for their client. Some contested divorces require mediation or litigation to resolve, and the process can sometimes go on for a year or longer before a final resolution is reached.
Several factors can make a divorce more complex and lead to a more time-consuming legal process. Some of these include:
- The existence of high-value assets that must be distributed between the parties
- The presence of children and disagreements involving their custody and support
- Disagreements involving spousal support (also known as alimony)
- The existence of jointly-owned businesses, which can be difficult to value and fairly distribute without liquidation
These are just a few of the factors that can complicate a divorce in Arizona. No matter how simple or complicated you expect your divorce to be, it is always prudent to seek legal counsel.
Child Custody in Arizona
Child custody is an often-contested aspect of family law. Parents love their children and usually want to act in their best interests, but adult emotions often complicate the picture during divorce proceedings.
In the state of Arizona, courts generally prioritize helping children maintain relationships with both parents, so long as there is no evidence of abuse or parental unfitness, and so long as maintaining both relationships is in the best interests of the child.
In a typical divorce, the spouses can choose to work together to come up with a parenting plan, which is usually approved by the courts as long as it seems reasonable and safe for the child. However, some child custody cases turn contentious and require attorney negotiation, mediation, or even a courtroom trial at the Pinal County Superior Court, located at 971 North Jason Lopez Circle in Florence.
In cases where one parent lives in another state, but custody is shared, our firm is very familiar with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). We can help you navigate interstate custody disputes and pursue a parenting plan that serves your child’s best interests.
Child Support in Arizona
When someone becomes a parent, they automatically gain legal rights and responsibilities regarding their child. Parents are generally required to share the financial responsibility that comes with having a child, and child support is a way to facilitate an equitable situation when parents are separated.
If parents are separated and one parent needs to pursue child support from the other, a family law attorney can help with this process. To seek child support from an alleged father, paternity must be established. Paternity is often established based on the child’s birth certificate or by agreement, but if the alleged father denies paternity, it is possible to get a paternity test before seeking child support.
Child support is generally calculated based on the earnings and financial situations of both parents, as well as the specific needs of the child. In addition to establishing child support orders, Arizona courts can help enforce them by imposing penalties for failure to pay.
Why You Should Hire a Family Law Attorney
The issues discussed above are just a few of the potential family law situations that can come up for people in Pinal County Valley and throughout Arizona. Our team at Ellsworth Family Law, P.C., also handles the following cases:
- Community property division
- Paternity
- Spousal Maintenance
- Adoption
- Appeals
- Agreements
- Termination of parental rights
Whatever family law matter you are dealing with, it is a prudent choice to hire a family law attorney as soon as you are able. Competent legal counsel can help you from the very beginning of any family law process by advising you on your legal position and helping you avoid any potential missteps.
If your situation requires negotiation, mediation, or litigation, your choice of attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. A lawyer with a strong family law background can advocate for you from a place of experience and knowledge, giving you a potential advantage before you ever walk into a courtroom.
FAQs
How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce in Pinal County Valley?
The time it takes to finalize a divorce in Pinal County, Arizona depends on a number of factors that are unique to each case. The absolute minimum time it takes to get a divorce in Arizona is 61 days, as there is a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the time a petition is filed to the time a final divorce decree is issued. However, some contested cases can drag on for a year or more as the couple tries to work out their differences with the help of the courts.
What Should I Not Say During a Child Custody Hearing in Pinal County?
During a child custody hearing, you should not say anything negative about the other parent. It is important to remember that the best interests of the child or children in question should be the top priority throughout the process. When parents use child custody hearings to attack each other or rehash their differences, judges do not look favorably on such behavior. It is wise to keep the focus on the children during a child custody hearing.
What if My Spouse Cleans Out Our Bank Account After Filing for Divorce?
From the date of an initial divorce petition, neither party in the divorce is legally allowed to sell, transfer, or otherwise get rid of marital property. This law is in place to prevent one person from selling or removing joint assets in an effort to put the other person at a disadvantage. If your spouse takes all of your marital money after filing for divorce or after you have done so, you may have legal recourse and should discuss this with your attorney.
Can My Spouse Refuse to Pay Spousal Support?
If you should be entitled to spousal support based on your financial situation, your spouse’s financial situation, and the circumstances of your marriage, your spouse usually cannot legally refuse to provide that support. Like other provisions of a divorce agreement, spousal support is generally an enforceable court order, and refusal to comply can result in legal consequences for the non-compliant individual.
Contact Ellsworth Family Law, P.C.
If you are going through a divorce, custody battle, or other family law matter in Pinal County, you need strong and competent legal support in your corner. At Ellsworth Family Law, P.C., we have a 20-year track record of client advocacy in Arizona, and we are ready to stand with you, too. Contact us today to discuss your case and find out how we can support you.
