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Arizona Family Law Questions & Answers
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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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Arizona on
Q: if a child is not believed by family court that they are being abused can they sue the courts when they are adults

if a child is not believed by family court that they are being abused can they sue the courts when they are adults for forcing them to go with the abusive parent and allowing the abuse to go on

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

No. You cannot sue a judge or the Court.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Arizona on
Q: AZ Paternity/Family Law Question/Concerns

A few months ago, a one-night-stand called out of the blue to tell me her 10 month old baby was mine. The man she was in a relationship with at the time of birth signed the birth certificate but apparently they are no longer together. We did a paternity test but I never actually saw any paperwork.... View More

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

You asked, "I guess my question is can she come back in a few years and sue me for financial assistance after all this back and forth?" It's possible, but you'd have to be legally declared the Father first.

"This situation is affecting my current relationship with...
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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 for Arizona on
Q: Can I submit a Waiver of Paternity (signed/notarized in 2008) with a new Acknowledgement of Paternity to add the father?

I was married at the time my daughter was born in 2008. My (now ex) husband was not the father. He signed and had notarized a Waiver of Paternity Affidavit in 2008, when she was born. I did not add the father to the birth certificate at the time. I would like to have the father added to her birth... View More

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

If I understand this correctly, your former husband is not the Father and he signed and had notarized paperwork that stated he is NOT the father, and I'm presuming, that your former husband is also not on the birth certificate, and no Court and no state agency has ever declared him to be the... View More

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

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Is it possible to obtain Legal Custody of a child that isn't yours, but that you've raised 50% of the time for 10 years?

I've got a friend that started dating a man (Father) that had a 6-month old child, conceived between him and a surrogate (Biological Mother). Shortly after the birth of the child, Biological Mother exited the equation... and my friend (Mother) entered.

She raised the child as her own... View More

Mike Branum
Mike Branum
answered on Jun 1, 2023

Your friend should discuss adoption with a competent Arizona-licensed family law attorney. It sounds like she has been filling the role of parent, she should seek to be legally recognized as the adoptive parent she is.

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Arizona on
Q: How would I bring abandonment charges on my spouse? Do I just go to file a report or do I file in family court?

2010 Arizona Revised Statutes

Title 13 - Criminal Code

13-3610 Abandonment of spouse; classification

13-3610. Abandonment of spouse; classification

A married person, having sufficient ability to provide for his or her spouse's support or who is able to earn the... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jun 1, 2023

You file a police report, and let the police and prosecutors decide from there if they want to bring charges.

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.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: If I am seeking Temporary custody for my grandchild in HI, I live in AZ, both parents give permission, is court needed?

Can I just get a notary form to have temporary custody of my grandchild living in another state if both parents agree?

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

Technically, that should probably be asked of an attorney in Hawaii because, likely, Hawaii is the only state that can determine custody of your grandchild.

I will say, in Arizona, a Power of Attorney assigning rights to you for up to six months is valid. But even with its validity, you may...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: Can My attorney garnish my wages

My lawyer charged me $12,000 dollars to represent me in a child custody case. I was in an accident and broke my back and was out of work for 8 weeks and fell behind on my payments. She knew the issue as I kept her informed the entire time. Now she is telling me that she is going to garnish my wages... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Apr 28, 2023

She can.

But she will have to sue you first and get a judgment. And then she can garnish your wages or put a lien on your property.

I don't agree with her threatening to garnish your wages, but on the other hand, you wouldn't eat at a restaurant and then skip out on the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: Ex wife emails asking to go from 50/50 to 90/10 parenting time

I am a very involved dad and have been respectful to our kid's (12) mom and our legal agreement. For the last year our kid has been acting very differently with me almost sounding like her mom, but i attributed it to her age. Yesterday I got a surprise email from my ex wife recommending a... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Apr 23, 2023

First, a 12-year-old doesn't get to pick where she lives.

"Does she have a case for modification w/o any substantial change in circumstances? "

She has to show a material change of circumstances affecting the child's well-being to qualify for a modification....
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Arizona on
Q: do i legally have to give a drug test being requested from arizona dcs if its not court ordered?

long story short baby was born showing withdrawl symptoms from mom using fetanyl while pregnat , dcs was called and now is telling me the father that i need to take a drug test in order for baby to be dismissed to me when healthy. they called me with a time and place to take it , i asked for a... View More

Randi Sirlin
Randi Sirlin
answered on Apr 16, 2023

If DCS is requiring the 9-panel test, you will most likely need to take it if you want DCS to release your child upon the child being healthy.

I recommend speaking with an an experienced attorney who specializes in family law cases.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: In az going through a divorce with child custody with no court order just yet, Can I keep my kids until then?

Order of protection on me, I filed an assault charge on her, She is from Mexico illegally. Trying to see if I can keep my kids until court.

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Apr 28, 2023

Without knowing more, I am going to say that is a strategy that will most likely backfire and cost you more time with your children in the long run.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: What can my son do if his sons ‘baby momma’ is calling herself a surrogate and offering to give him full custody for$

He wants full custody but doesn’t want a court battle. I believe it’s illegal for him to pay her but realizes it could be more expensive to fight for full custody in court. Does he have any options?

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

He has two options: Get her to agree to assign custody to him or take the matter to Court. Absent her agreement, he's going to have to go to Court. He should also put himself on the Putative Father Registry ASAP so that she can't adopt out the child without his consent.

He can...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Does father have rights in AZ if he did not sign birth certificate and there is no agreement for the child?

Child has been under moms care since he was born, child is under moms insurance, all of childs things (food, shelter, formula, clothes, diapers etc) have all been paid by mother. Hospital fees also currently still being paid by mother. No agreement on child placement, no agreement on custody, no... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Mar 29, 2023

If he is not on the birth certificate, and if Mother and Father have not signed an Acknowledgment of Paternity, and if Father has not filed to establish paternity with the Courts, then Father is not a legal parent, and the child is under Mother's custody, and that does include the right to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Civil Rights for Arizona on
Q: Judges duty, a judge knows but acts like she doesn't know. How to get her on that? Should I report this judge?

AZ family court. Judge is using unconfirmed drug test results to keep child from the father. Father has motioned asking for confirmation test results but judge ignores the motions. This judge has to know that the drug test results have to be confirmed in order to have standing. Judge is not doing... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 21, 2023

Typically, the mechanism to force a judge to do what he/she has a clear ministerial duty to do is called a writ of mandamus.

You should hire an appellate lawyer in Arizona to determine if the judge has a clear ministerial duty to order a confirmation drug test under the circumstances of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: My 9 year old daughter told me her dad pulls her pants down and beats them with a belt her and my 4yo idk what to do

2 daughters. We have been divorced 2 years with equal parenting time and equal decision making. Made appointment with lawyers but they aren’t available til next week. I don’t want to be getting beatings in the mean time. Tucson AZ

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Mar 6, 2023

That is horrifying.

I wouldn't wait either to file. File a Petition to Modify Legal Decision-making, Parenting Time, and Child Support and a Motion for Temporary Orders without Notice (Emergency Motion) with the Court. You can get those forms off the Pima County Superior Court web site...
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