Get free answers to your Child Custody legal questions from lawyers in your area.

answered on Oct 9, 2022
You should immediately file a Petition to Establish Legal Decision-making, Parenting Time, and Child Support with the Court.
https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/llrc/fc_group_6/
At the same time, you should file a Motion for Temporary Orders asking the child be returned to the... View More

answered on Sep 27, 2022
No statute states that. A statute states that each parent is entitled to the child's medical and educational records. ARS 25-403.06.
Rule 49 of the Arizona Family Law Rules of Procedure requires each party disclose the names of any providers for psychological, psychiatric, or... View More
I gave my ex wife my apartment so she would not be on the street and sleep out of my car now the lease is going to be up and I am not doing the court order 3 weeks a month do to not having somewhere to take them and my x wants more child support but now I have a new home and she will have to move... View More

answered on Sep 27, 2022
Who pays child support currently is unrelated to whether arrears are owed.
Be aware the current child support remains in effect until you go to Court to modify it. At that point, child support is determined by a calculation.
I'm currently in a relationship where I'm getting verbally and mentally abused and I'm not doing okay. I'm not sure at what point this will turn physical. I'm considering moving back to WI with our 3 month old baby to be in a better and safe environment. The thing is... View More

answered on Sep 14, 2022
It seems as if you may need to obtain an order of protection. If you leave without the other parent's consent and your child has been in Arizona since birth, the Court can order you to immediately return the child to Arizona. You may also be subject to the International Kidnapping Act. The... View More
Proof I was served. She was served first. Should I respond to her county even tho orders were placed in my county where I and the child reside and I have temp custody.?

answered on Sep 13, 2022
I'd file a Motion to Dismiss in her county. You'll file under ARFLP Rule 29(b)(6), saying she requested relief that cannot be granted because a proceeding has already been commenced in your county, and service has occurred there.
Make sure you write that are "specially appearing."
I am only requesting a small schedule change to take my 3 year old son to a major life event she is obstructing. What course can I take. This divorce has gotten very high conflict.

answered on Sep 8, 2022
If the divorce is still pending, the Preliminary Injunction is still in place. This means you'll need to either get the other parent's permission to travel out of state or you will need to seek a court order to permit the travel. If the latter, you will need to file a Motion to Travel out... View More
She was probably served through the courts with the last address she left on file

answered on Sep 4, 2022
Courts usually don't do the serving at least not if you got custody through the Arizona family court. That's usually your responsibility.
But the bigger issue is to find her and your son. If Internet and social media searches aren't working, then you should hire a private... View More
There are two reasons I'm asking, cause I'm definitely going to try one of them. I've had my kids all of the first year of life and most of the time, up until the 26 of last month. Now I only get them the 1st 2nd and last weekend of the month. I had a dcs case open, based on... View More

answered on Sep 2, 2022
You can file both. But I really don't recommend an appeal generally for a custody case. Appeals can take 9 to 15 months, and some even longer, and your remedy is a new trial. In the meantime, the current orders stay in place. By the time the appeal gets decided, you would be eligible to modify... View More

answered on Aug 29, 2022
May suggests it's optional, but it does general convey who gets to make the option. Sounds likes this parent may choose to use their parenting time or not, and if they do choose to do so, the other parent should allow it.
I did not put my child’s fathers name on the birth certificate. I took him to court to have his rights severed. He was never in the child’s life. The judge agreed and severed his rights. I am now in need to have his name either on the birth certificate or have him sign an Acknowledgment of... View More

answered on Aug 18, 2022
I cannot imagine a scenario where the father's race would make a scintilla of difference UNLESS the father is associated with a Native American or Alaska Native tribe. THAT would make a huge difference and could cancel the Court's termination of parental rights if it was not considered... View More
My ex has been hostile and withholding her new physical address from me but all information she has provided constitutes custodial kidnapping. Tonight I received a text after requesting the address that I could have it once she was provided with information she wants (there is a clause in the... View More

answered on Aug 8, 2022
No, you do not yet have enough to seek a default judgment. Your next step is to request alternative service. I highly encourage you to find a qualified family law attorney in the jurisdiction where your child custody order was entered to assist you in this process.
My ex claimed he has an restraining order against my husband therefore my husband is not allowed at the drop off and pick up exchanges for the children. It has come to our knowledge that there is no restraining order nor injunction of harassment , we went to multiple courts where they can't... View More

answered on Jul 12, 2022
If your current husband has not been served with notice of a restraining order and your ex cannot produce proof of such an order being in place, there is no legal reason your husband cannot be present during custody exchanges.
I would suggest he remain in the vehicle and not interact with... View More
He made claims to the court's that he put a restraining order/injunction against me, so I wouldn't go. I went to multiple courthouses in Phoenix as well as in mesa,az and they all said there are not restraining orders open or in place. They did say he filled multiple but 1. I've... View More

answered on Jul 11, 2022
A protective order is not in effect until it is served. As you say nothing has been served on you, the Order of Protection is not in place.
You can be at exchanges unless there's a Court order directing you to not be there. Be very cautious, though, Dad sounds like he may be looking... View More
How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?
How long will it take to set up my Trust?

answered on Jul 11, 2022
Probate is expensive, time-consuming, difficult and public. I am not a fan. I do try to design plans for my clients that avoid probate.
You can help protect your children from abusive relatives if you put their inheritance in a trust with a professional fiduciary in charge. That way an... View More
I have a child support order in Arizona (where I currently live) which started in Oregon (where I got divorced) for my 5 children with my ex. My ex has not seen our children in 4 1/2 years and not spoken with them in 3 years (regardless of me setting up times for phone calls- he just flakes). I... View More

answered on Jul 6, 2022
A termination of parental rights does not terminate a parent's child support obligation. But when a child is adopted by someone else, the terminated parent's obligation to pay child support ends.
This comes from ARS 8-539, which reads: " An order terminating the parent-child... View More
My ex, who lives out of the country and hasn't made financial contributions in my child's upbringing, wants visitation and decision-making rights. Can I insist that if he wants visitation he should pay child support? Should I mention in the final hearing that I have a boyfriend who wants... View More

answered on Jul 5, 2022
There are so many variables. If there is any way you can consult with a competent family law attorney in Pima County, I suggest you do so. If your ex has not made any financial contributions and lives outside the US, I think you have a good case for limiting his visitation to supervised visitation... View More
I do not agree with what is stated in this motion, I am not ready & I cannot afford legal counsel.

answered on Jun 30, 2022
Yes. If you do not respond, the Court can set the matter for trial whether you are ready or not.
Do an internet search for "Arizona legal self-help." There are resources that may assist you in responding.
I couldn't afford a lawyer until now , my ex is taking me to court for joint legal decision making with final say and child support. The kids have been in my custody this whole time ages 10 and 3 , he's never financially taken care of them and has always been inconsistent in their lives .... View More

answered on Jun 20, 2022
Yes, you can. But you probably should get the lawyer on board as soon as you can because there are deadlines approaching in your case as trial gets closer. The longer you wait, the less strategic options your attorney has.
We both have TX IDs still so I don’t know which state has jurisdiction to handle our case. We’ve lived in AZ for a year now. I have a big family support system back in Texas and his father doesn’t really have much support with extended family here in AZ. I cant afford to live here anymore and... View More

answered on Jun 13, 2022
This is an incredibly complex question for an "Ask-a-lawyer" service but I will give you the highlights.
Your answer depends on whether or not you were married to the father and whether or not you have a custody order from Texas or any other state. Assuming you are not married and... View More
Father wants nothing to do with child until paternity is established, I do not want him involved with the child as I have moved on and am with someone whom will assume that role. Can I still collect child support and choose that he not be in the child’s life?

answered on May 25, 2022
The short answer is no.
If you establish paternity he will be required to pay child support but he can also assert a right to parent time. 50/50 custody is presumed to be in the best interest of the child but it appears you are in Minnesota and the father may be in Arizona?... View More
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