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Arizona Child Custody Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Civil Rights for Arizona on
Q: If my granddaughter lives in NM and I reside in AZ, where do I file for grandparents visitation rights? Az or NM?

Unfortunately my ex daughter in law makes it merely impossible for me to have the right to visit my granddaughter. There's other circumstances between her and my son going on but my concern is me not being able to see her more while they go back and forth with their visitation arrangements.

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Oct 9, 2023

New Mexico

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Child Custody and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: If my child’s father is abusive to his dog, will I be able to get sole custody of our baby
Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Oct 10, 2023

It's unusual, but it's possible. Animal cruelty is one of the listed crimes under the domestic violence statute. It may depend on whether his actions meet the standards of animal cruelty (see ARS 13-2910) and whether those actions are significant enough to impact what should happen with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: I got an OOP after my ex got court order to turn over minor to him . Will I get in trouble? Do I inform the court?

I had residential custody and he had ldm and suddenly without consideration of his consider it d v past a judge grabted him custody of our minor even if he's probation for abuse of her and violating an oop, and with medical reports stating she is autistic and terrified of him and needed... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Oct 2, 2023

You need to stop and consult with an attorney. I certainly understand why you did what you did, but I worry you could be making a bad situation worse.

The Order of Protection has not been served, so it is not in effect. That means you are technically violating the order when you do not...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: I found a bag that has remnants of what could be crystal meth in my bathroom trash, its my kid's dad. What can I do?

We live in AZ. He lies a lot. We have a mortgage together. What can I do legally to find out and if it is, get him out of home and away from kids?

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Oct 2, 2023

You probably need to get it tested. Then once you find out it is meth, you need to ask him to submit to a drug test. If it's positive, you could use that as a reason to get temporary emergency custody (i.e., legal decision-making and parenting time) over the children.

If you're...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: So I got 2 letters regarding a family custody case one shows order of reassignment and the other shows order

In the order letters is says I need to file a response that contains citation to relevant statues and case law

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Oct 2, 2023

Sounds like they must have reassigned the judge in your case, and it (presuming service was proper) sounds like you are on the clock to file your Response. Without knowing what type of Petition or other request they filed, I can't advise you further.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: I need help with a father who is constantly taking away communication from a mother.

My wife shares custody with the child’s father. Father has continuously taken the child’s phone away while she is at his house during his parental time. Mother and I have bought the phone and pay the cell phone bill on a monthly basis. Father has never paid any portion or is even on same phone... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Sep 27, 2023

I am certainly sympathetic to what Mother and you are enduring because of Father's inappropriate actions.

However, what you suggest here is not the solution.

I know this may hurt to hear, and I apologize for that, but the law is clear: As a stepparent, you have no legal...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Can a reply be filed to an amended petition post divorce decree in Arizona? Or does rule 28 Prohibit a REPLY ?

Does Rule 28 prohibit filing a REPLY to a RESPONSE?

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Aug 10, 2023

Don't file a Reply.

Rule 28 doesn't explicitly prohibit a Reply, but it implicitly does by explicitly authorizing a Response and making no mention of Reply.

Further, there is an important difference between a Petition and a Motion, and how they get resolved is why a Reply...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Mother has residential custody but father has full legal decision making, can court prohibit mom from school?

Recently we had an RMC and father requested a court order to enroll child in a muslim school. Mother opposed but court issued order stating that he has legal decisión making rights. In addition, the court went out of its way to rule that I (mother) not have ANY CONTACT with the school. How is this... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jul 21, 2023

Yes, the Court can prohibit you from going to the school.

Yes, you can file a Motion to Reconsider. List out the reasons you mentioned here, but do so more softly. The reasons you mention are all valid ones.

This happened at an RMC? The Court can't make orders at an RMC unless...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Best way to file a CLEAN OOP in a family custody case after original OOP was taken apart?

We obtained an OOP in June of 2022 on behalf of my minor daughter for abuse she suffered at the hands of father. HE left her outside in the heat without food or water last year in May. WE DO have a case in family court but it was HER OOP so I was on the order just because im the adult filing.... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jul 20, 2023

While, yes, you can file a new OOP, that may not be the most appropriate way to handle this situation.

This is better handled by filing an emergency motion in the family law case. OOP's are not meant to circumvent the custody courts.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Mother is witholding child from going to school and alienating the child from me and his siblings.

There is currently no custody order. So last year, I printed out a form that we agreed on that states I have temporary custody and she signed and we got notarized. Our son went to go visit for her for summer in CA but now she won’t let us talk to him and is alienating him from me and his other... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jul 20, 2023

The short answer is it is 100% time for you to file for custody and you may need to consider filing an emergency motion. You need to file in the state where your son most recently lived for six consecutive months.

As you write, "There is no custody order." Signing an agreement...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody and Domestic Violence for Arizona on
Q: I filed a motion for reconsideration today based on ARS 95a and ARS 83b after being ordered to pay 2k for TI at RMC

RMC was a circus. BIA and TI not present. Father making wild allegations with no evidence. Judge had tech issues and could not access electronic records to review our motions. Court made orders based on hearsay and wording on order says “MOTHER shall provide requested paperwork to TI and payment... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jul 19, 2023

I'm not sure what your question is, but I certainly wish you well on the Motion to Reconsider, as the judge should consider your ability to pay for services. I hope the public defense office can foot most of the bill.

As an aside and just as an FYI: Hearsay is permitted in family...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce, Domestic Violence and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: How can i request to remove legal decision making rights from DV father abuser granted by judge this past March 2023?

For some ODD reason, during a hearing in family court, the judge believed father and though i retain custodial/residential custody of our 9yr old daughter— my joint legal decision making rights were handed over to father (full legal decision-making) and reason was Judge believed i weaponized OOP... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jul 19, 2023

I certainly understand how difficult it can be when a judge makes a ruling that is not at all in your child's best interests. I certainly do not believe that you should have lose legal decision-making.

Unfortunately, there is not much you can do right now.

If the order came...
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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Domestic Violence for Arizona on
Q: How do I present new evidence in a mediation case?

Meditation hearing is coming up in August and I want to change to asking for full custody since my child expressed to me that there has been physical abuse towards them by the other parent. The other parent has already been physical towards me which documented by police response. I have called DCS... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Jul 18, 2023

Note that I practice law in OHIO and do NOT practice in Az. I am an officer on the Ohio State Bar Association's Dispute Resolution Committee and have over 50 hours of mediation training from the Ohio Supreme Court's Judicial College.

Mediation is not a forum for presenting...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Arizona Family Law In my divorce case, our judge ordered me to pay in 10 days 2k for TI visits with father. Cant afford

I get SS disability and cannot afford it. Child lives with me and father is abuser. Can i file a motion to reconsider? Can we get a cheaper TI? What if i cannot afford a TI? Judge keeps saying im blocking efforts and not participating

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jul 18, 2023

Yes, you can file a Motion to Reconsider and explain your financial circumstances. The Court must consider your ability to pay before it can order TI services. Gish v. Greyson, 253 Ariz. 437, 446, ¶ 42 (App. 2022).

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Can my daughter request child support from ex to help obtain a two bedroom and provide the same lifestyle as ex husband?

My daughter moved out of her marital home 1 yr ago due to domestic violence. She left their 9 yr old son w/the husband because she couldn't afford a 2 bedroom apt. She found the most affordable 1 apt . She didn't have a car but finally bought 1 with a really high mo payment. Now 1 yr... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jun 30, 2023

Yes, your daughter can request child support.

But let's be clear on what child support is. First, it's not meant to equalize the living situation between the parents. Second, it's done on a formula. The fact he has a two-bedroom and bought a Camaro are not relevant to how...
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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Arizona on
Q: Legal contract

I live in goodyear arizona, 85395. I am going to have sex with a girl soon and i want her to sign a contract stating that if she gets pregnant, that she is legally obligated to have an abortion, give it up for adoption, or not make me pay child support. If i make a contract and have both of us sign... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jun 22, 2023

Probably not.

If you don’t want to run the risk of fathering a child, a vasectomy is a better option.

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Can I relocate to another state if I have had primary physical custody since birth? I filed but no court date pending.

I filed 2 times. once in 2022 and again in January. Never given a trial date. Court has not responded to my questions. I filed for child support 2x with custody papers. No response. She has lived with me since birth DOB 10/15/21. I want to move on with my life. I have a 2 year OOP against dad and... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jun 21, 2023

Is the January case active? If so, the preliminary injunction is in effect and you can't take the child out of state without the Court's permission.

It seems strange you were never given a Court date. You probably missed a step. Did you serve the other party? If yes, did they...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: How can I have sole legal custody?

My ex husband and I we live in different states, I have two kids under the age of 3, I have joint custody with my ex husband and at the end of this year his is going to stop giving me child support because he is not going to have a job after the military for a while. I want sole legal decision... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jun 19, 2023

I'm going to presume because you posted this question in Arizona, that the case is in Arizona. If it is not in Arizona, ignore my answer entirely and contact a lawyer in the appropriate state.

Child Support - If it's court-ordered, it doesn't matter that he's leaving the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Military Law for Arizona on
Q: IF MY SON AND I MOVED BACK TO AZ AND I SEPARATED FROM MY WIFE WHILE SHE WAS IN SCHOOL BUT WITH KNOWLEDGE. CAN SHE FILE

SHE IS IN THE MILITARY AND HAS TRIED TO TAKE ME TO COURT BECAUSE SHE IS SUPPOSEDLY WORRIED ABOUT HIS WELL BEING. BUT THEN BACKS OUT, THAT SHOULD SHOW SOMETHING

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 18, 2023

If you and your son have moved back to Arizona and you have separated from your wife, she may still be able to file for divorce or custody in the state where she is currently stationed, even if you are no longer living together. The specific laws and procedures for filing for divorce or custody may... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Arbitration / Mediation Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: Can a person use a private investigators findings in court
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on May 19, 2023

I’m bothered by the word “findings.”

Generally speaking, a private investigator would be called as a witness and is able to testify from personal knowledge what he did, what he saw, what an adverse party told him, and what other people said which may be an exception to the hearsay rule.

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