Family Law Lawyer In Tempe, AZ
Family law is a complex field primarily concerned with marriage and divorce. A seasoned Tempe family law attorney might deal with anything from drafting a prenuptial agreement to mediating a divorce proceeding, assisting with the adoption of a child, or supporting a grandparent’s rights.
If you’re looking for a reliable Tempe family law attorney, you deserve to work with a firm that focuses exclusively on family law cases. That’s what you’ll find at Ellsworth Family Law, P.C. Our team includes Certified Family Law Specialists, divorce mediators, and many other legal professionals and paraprofessionals. Whether you need help with child support modifications or dealing with a high-asset divorce, we’re here for you.
Hire a Family Law Attorney
In 2023, Arizona’s marriage rate was 5.3 marriages per 1,000 residents. From 2019 to 2023, an average of 29.3% of Arizona households had minor children living in them. Approximately 37% of all children live in single-parent households. What these statistics indicate is that modern families are diverse, and maintaining peaceful relationships between parents and children can be a challenge.
It doesn’t matter what kind of family law matter you’re dealing with. Whether you’re getting ready for a contested divorce or trying to prove paternity to address a child custody issue, you need to hire an expert family law attorney who can uphold your rights. Family law attorneys help with everything from filing basic paperwork to arguing your case in courtroom hearings. They have a deep understanding of family laws and how they can be applied to your case.
Common Family Law Disputes
Disputes are commonplace in family law courts like the one at the Maricopa County Superior Court. A trusted Tempe family lawyer can help you resolve just about any type of issue that can come up involving the legal aspects of family life, but they see some problems more often than others. Common family law disputes can include:
- Divorces. Divorce proceedings are some of the most handled family law cases in Arizona. The complexity of your divorce proceedings will depend on factors such as how long you’ve been with your spouse, whether you have any minor children together, and what kinds of assets and debts must be divided upon the dissolution of your marriage.
- Prenuptial agreements. Some couples decide how they want to handle a potential divorce before they even tie the knot. Taking this approach can help you avoid a lot of headaches and heartache in the long run.
- Alimony payments. In some cases, non-earning spouses are entitled to spousal support payments. Also known as alimony, spousal maintenance is meant to maintain a decent lifestyle for a spouse who needs support following the dissolution of a marriage.
- Division of property. Arizona is a 50/50 divorce state, which means that marital property generally gets divided according to a roughly 50/50 split. That said, there are cases where judges decide that a different division of assets and debts will be more equitable.
- Child custody. Child custody battles are some of the most difficult issues to deal with in modern divorces. When coming up with a custody arrangement, the judge will decide which parent or parents should retain custody based on what is in the best interests of the child.
- Child support. Non-custodial parents are typically required to pay child support following a divorce or legal separation. The amount of support owed usually depends on each parent’s income, the number and needs of the children, and the custodial parent’s expenses.
- Adoption. Not all areas of family law have to do with marriage and divorce. Family lawyers also assist couples with adoption procedures. The process of adoption can vary slightly depending on whether you are adopting from a family member, a known acquaintance, or going through an adoption agency. Either way, you should consider working with a family lawyer.
FAQs
How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in AZ?
How much a family lawyer costs in AZ depends on a variety of factors. They can include the type and complexity of your case, whether your case will need to go to trial, and how experienced your lawyer is. Simple matters that can be resolved outside of court generally cost less than complex cases requiring a trial.
What Is Rule 48 in Arizona Family Law?
Rule 48 in Arizona family law refers to the ability of parties involved in a family law matter to request emergency temporary orders without prior notice. It’s most frequently applied during contentious child custody cases in which there is a threat of imminent harm to the child. There’s a high bar for urgent intervention, so don’t try to use this legal procedure inappropriately.
Is Arizona a 50/50 Divorce State?
Arizona is a 50/50 divorce state, which means that marital property is generally divided equally in a divorce. However, judges have the authority to divide property more equitably, which may lead to something other than a 50/50 split. Factors such as domestic violence, breaches of fiduciary duty, and the destruction of assets can all influence a judge’s decision to deviate from the 50/50 rule.
What Disqualifies You From Alimony in AZ?
The primary factor that disqualifies you from alimony in Tempe, AZ, is having considerable income or assets. Alimony, also known as spousal support, is intended to give a spouse who does not earn enough to maintain the same quality of life established during the marriage the chance to get on their feet financially. There’s no automatic assignment of spousal support.
Tempe Family Law Attorney
If you need an experienced Tempe family law attorney, work with the team at Ellsworth Family Law, P.C. Our practice focuses exclusively on family law matters, and two of our founding attorneys are Certified Family Law Specialists. Our top priority is always providing boutique legal services to our clients, but we also employ legal paraprofessionals who can help you resolve simple matters at a lower rate.
Contact us to schedule a consultation today and let us put our knowledge and experience to work for you.
