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Arizona Family Law Questions & Answers
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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1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Can I sue my gfriends ex husband for taking full custody of my biological child. They were married during our conception

I impregnated my girlfriend who happens to be married still. Legally when the child is born he will have all rights to the child. He makes threats to not sign papers to manipulate things that he wants from her. They are going through a divorce as well. I want my child and I will fight for the... View More

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

You wrote, " Legally when the child is born he will have all rights to the child."

Legally, that is incorrect. By being married to the mother, he is PRESUMED to be the father.

If you can prove biology, you are also PRESUMED to be the father.

That puts the two of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Is there a form or way to ask the judge to make a ruling on a divorce?

My ex spouse has been intentionally delaying proceedings going on 3 years, we were only married for 4 years. She is doing this to cause me financial harm. I have sent 10+ offers to settle with zero negotiation from her and the court just keeps pushing every final trail date becuase she files more... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Feb 22, 2023

Yes, it's a Motion to Set Trial and you need to file a Certificate of Readiness with it.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: Are court clerks ALLOWED to have access to a personal case before the document is served to them?

I know they have access to it, but are they allowed to be privy to it and use the contents in it prior to being officially served?

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Feb 22, 2023

Once the documents are filed, they are public record. Anyone, including court clerks, can access them, regardless of whether service has taken place.

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Can the father of my child make me move back to our home state after ghosting me for 5 years and dening everything?

The father of my child ghosted me 5 years ago after I told him I was pregnant. He denies it and now wants to be in my 5 year Olds life but I have moved out of state can he force me to move back? He lives in kansas, I live in Arizona.

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Feb 22, 2023

Yes, it is possible. Whether he'll succeed is another matter. I recommend you speak with an Arizona-based attorney ASAP

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Report emotional abuse and request restraining order child just turned 18

Step mother emotionally abused my daughter for over 3 years, my daughter turned 18 on September 2022 and she moved out and went not contact with father and stepmother. Daughter is in therapy due to the mental abuse and suffers from depression, anxiety and panic attacks, daughter wants to report... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Feb 22, 2023

She can go to the nearest superior courthouse and request the protective order. That will only be in effect for two years though.

As for reporting emotional abuse, she should contact the Department of Child Safety.

If you are looking to modify legal decision-making and parenting...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: Stepmother emotional abuse what can be done?

Shared custody of 2 kids; stepmother verbally and emotionally abused daughter for 4 years, daughter turned 18 and went no contact with father and stepmother, a few days ago special need son came back with a bruise in his arm and said stepmother hit him and said “that’s what you get” since he... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Feb 13, 2023

I am so sorry to hear what your children have been through.

That certainly seems like grounds to modify to me. You can file a Petition to Modify Legal Decision-making, Parenting Time, and Child Support. I recommend you consult with an attorney to decide if you also need to file for...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Can I vaccinate my child without the consent of the father? ( We are not married nor divorced.)

We are only dating but we are very much together and he is 100% involved. He will obviously be listed as the father on the birth certificate (I’m still pregnant) but I’m not sure what rights that gives him since we’re not married? If I choose to vaccinate our child against the wishes of my... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Feb 13, 2023

Legally, in the short term, it's in your favor until he goes to Court to establish his custodial rights. At that point, his rights are equal to yours.

Legally, in the long term, and practically speaking, these are decisions you need to make together. You're better off making these...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Support and Tax Law for Arizona on
Q: What action is needed when other parent claimed children on taxes but order says if not paid in full then I can?

I even got certified copy of payments dispersed from the courthouse and let him know that I wanted to claim all 3 children since he was not current for 2022. He never responded and then went and filed and claimed 2 children anyways. 2 of the children live with me and 1 child lives with him.

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Feb 13, 2023

You should file a Petition to Enforce and ask the Court to order him to amend his taxes for those years within thirty days of the Court's order. The Court will likely schedule a conference and evidentiary hearing. At that time, you should bring with you whatever forms you need him to sign in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Juvenile Law and Legal Malpractice for Arizona on
Q: In Arizona, who handles grievances toward court appointed counsel? Does it matter if the lawyer has their own firm?

I fired my attorney, right in front of the "mediator", and she told me "all the lawyers here are interchangeable. They're going to tell you the same thing. " Had i only known i needed to say it to the judge. Maybe it wouldn't have made a difference at all.

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

The Arizona Bar handles complaints about lawyers.

As for having their own firm, it really doesn't make a difference.

If you think of suing your lawyer, you really should speak to a legal malpractice attorney before you file anything.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Arizona on
Q: Does communications regarding kids behavior have to go through lawyer without a court order?

We are in the process of child support from father. His girlfriend said all communications have to go through his lawyer about the kids behavior and did not allow us to speak to him about the child’s behavior. No court order has been made, no child support amount has been determined since him and... View More

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

If that's what he is requesting you do, you should do it. Explain to the lawyer what is going on. A good lawyer will take to Father and say, "Telling the other parent to communicate through me about the children does not help your case."

Be patient on child support. The...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: Hi is there a lawyer who specializes in gaurdianship cases thats willing to take my case for free?
Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jan 21, 2023

You should ask this to the juvenile section, as guardianship in Arizona is handled by the juvenile courts, not the family law courts.

2 Answers | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Legally married but separated. I stayed w/ 2 kids and she took the other child. I make more than her can I get her on cs

I make 95k a year she makes 25k a year. All the kids are ours. I stayed with 2 and she stayed with 1. Can I get her on child support? Even if I make more money than her? Because I have more kids to take care of?? I live in Arizona she lives in California .

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

Child support is determined by a formula. There's no way we can answer that question without doing the formula, and you haven't given us enough information to run the formula.

You can find a child support calculator online and see how the numbers play out. You should run two...
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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: My ex keeps brainwashing our child, convincing her that she is afraid of me and my parents. Is there any legal recorse?

My daughter is very happy when she is with me and/or my parents. Then I get phone calls from my ex (when our daughter is over there) telling me the kid is upset with me and doesn't want to go back to me when it is my time. She has our kid sit there listening and continually says to her,... View More

Randi Sirlin
Randi Sirlin
answered on Jan 18, 2023

Parents should never involve children in their adult matters, including issues such as parenting time. If you have a parenting plan through the Court, there should be language stating something to that effect. If there is no such language, I recommend speaking with an experienced family law... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Tax Law and Child Support for Arizona on
Q: Taxes/ child support/divorce decree:If NCP has a current arrears balance can I claim child? In our decree it states

That NCP can claim if current on child support and arrear payments. I have calculated it and i am still calculating a short in child support payments. The arrears balance was at $1400 in May 2022. Due to his job loss and no payment for 5 months the balance went to $2300 by August 2022 then payments... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jan 17, 2023

The question really hinges on whether he is current for the 2022 tax year. He can be behind overall, but if he paid all that was he supposed to in 2022, he can claim the child. If he didn't, you can claim the child. Remember: The parent not claiming the child needs to sign Form 8332 in order... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Legally what can be done if you have a domestic stalker?

I currently live with someone, a relative, who aggravatingly been stalking, harassing, and criminally has accessed my wireless devices, with the intent to cause emotional distress (for quite some time now). I know a restraining order is one thing, but I would like to see this individual legally... View More

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

If you want them prosecuted, you need to make a police report.

You should also get a restraining order. Harassing and stalking can be difficult crimes on which to get a conviction, but someone violates a restraining order, that's much easier.

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