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Arizona Divorce Questions & Answers
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... Read 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, 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.

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,... Read more »

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

I agree with Ms. Sirlin. Check your Parenting Plan, and if there's a non-disparagement clause (i.e., don't say anything negative about the other parent) or a clause about not discussing the case with the minor child, you should enforce.

I'd recommend consulting with an...
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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,... Read 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... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Banking for Arizona on
Q: I went through a divorce I couldn’t afford a lawyer all the things that my x wife acused me of were all lys for 38 year

The judge ordered everything in half but she has two bank accounts she didn’t put on table and I was the one paying for everything i didn’t know that she is a covert narsiste I was Being abused for20years and everything was about my youngest son and I didn’t even get the chance to say that I... Read more »

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Dec 29, 2022

I'm not entirely sure what you are asking.

If you discovered bank accounts that were not included in the Decree, you can ask the Court to revisit the Decree and include them as after-discovered assets.

If you feel you were shortchanged because you didn't have an attorney,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Business Law for Arizona on
Q: Husband had a company prior to our marriage but then sold it after 12 years of marriage am I entitled to Money in divorc

Am I entitled to any money from his company during our divorce?

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Oct 11, 2022

Assuming you and your husband had no valid prenuptial agreement that would dictate otherwise, you might be entitled to be compensated for an interest in this business. From the information you provided it appears that your husband's business started out as his sole and separate property.... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: If I take full custody of my kids will my ex wife pay child support even if I have arrears

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... Read more »

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
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.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: I am trying to take my infant son to a family wedding out of state while still getting divorced. 50/50 ldm and pt.

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.

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
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... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Divorce, Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: My dad was staying in a hotel that his insurance company paid for while his house was being repaired but he just died.

Me and my sister are his heirs but my mom(divorced) is telling me that since the insurance company is rebuilding part of the house to keep it up to code, that they're actually going to charge for the repairs. Is that really true and what are mine and my sisters options? And does my mom have... Read more »

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 18, 2022

An Arizona attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm very sorry about the loss of your father. Your question is a little bit complex and straddles a number of categories; I can only address the insurance-related ones. The insurance company's decision... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Estate Planning and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: My husband and I are residents of Arizona. What happens to our house during a divorce?

He solely purchased the house in 2007. We met in 2014. I had our oldest child in 2016. We married in 2017. He refinanced the house in 2018 or 2019 but didn't want to put me on the home loan even though my credit score is consistently in the upper 830s - 840s. Our youngest was born in 2018.... Read more »

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jun 13, 2022

The house belongs to him. A.R.S. 25-213(A) reads, "A spouse's real and personal property that is owned by that spouse before marriage ... and the increase, rents, issues and profits of that property, is the separate property of that spouse." As he owned before the marriage and never... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Estate Planning and Tax Law for Arizona on
Q: Can a Trust decide its distributions aren’t community property even when taxed as non passive K1 income & filed jointly?

In the case of divorce - Trust 1, which has a clause that names the beneficiary as spouse A & states distributions are not community property, owns an S corp (an LLC). The S corp paid distributions to spouse A, which were claimed jointly as non passive income in a community property state (AZ).... Read more »

Ilene L McCauley
PREMIUM
Ilene L McCauley
answered on May 25, 2022

Unfortunately, you are asking a very difficult question. The answers hinge on the documents currently in place as well as the status of the divorce. The attorney will need to see if there is premarital agreement in place. If so, that agreement may control. We also need to look at the S... Read more »

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 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... Read 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 Appeals / Appellate Law and Divorce for Arizona on
Q: My X is appealing com property split in our divorce. Am I required to respond to the appeal? I have no $ for an attorney

I'm in Arizona, a community state.

Charles William Michaels
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Charles William Michaels
answered on Jan 16, 2023

I am not an Arizona lawyer. However, you should respond to the appeal, a short brief on your behalf responding to original brief will do. Check the AZ appellate rules regarding format and filing of briefs.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation and Collections for Arizona on
Q: Couple commits fraudulent transfer of home, then divorces, do you name both to obtain jurisdiction of marital property?

I sued the wife in arbitration for breach of contract and won a six-figure judgment. The husband immediately transferred their home to try and prevent any recovery from the property. It's normal to name both spouses in a lawsuit to obtain jurisdiction over the marital community, however, when... Read more »

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Jan 3, 2023

You must include both husband and wife in your suit or it will fail.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: In Arizona can I make a Police report on a criminal case on a bigamy charge ??

In Arizona can I request a case on criminal charges with the police?? In a bigamy case

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Jul 6, 2022

Yes, you may report bigamy, as it is a crime.

The decision to press charges belongs to the police and the prosecutors.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Arizona on
Q: I received a copy of a Motion to Set and Certificate of Readiness. Do I need to file a response?

I do not agree with what is stated in this motion, I am not ready & I cannot afford legal counsel.

Mike Branum
Mike Branum
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.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody and Child Support for Arizona on
Q: How can I find out if I'm divorced if I have no idea where my wife is she said I Needed to find Jesus 7 months ago

We had a confidential marriage.. and she left for 9 days I had our daughter till she found out she can't get housing without her l. Then she put me in jail cause I had a misdemeanor warrant so she called me to church lead Me to believe that she wonted to work it out with our family,sent the... Read more »

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Apr 3, 2022

This was filed as a question for Arizona, but I see you're in California. California has a confidential marriage license; Arizona does not. Still, Arizona will recognize marriages legally entered into another state even if their procedures are different than Arizona's.

I'm...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Arizona on
Q: My ex-wife has been engaged for over two years. Anything I can do to discontinue spousal maintenance payments? Arizona

She has twice postponed her wedding date and I feel like it's just so that she can keep collecting spousal maintenance from me.

Randi Sirlin
Randi Sirlin
answered on Feb 9, 2022

Your options will depend on what was ordered by the Court. I recommend contacting an experienced family law attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Arizona on
Q: Are the gains from a 401k account prior to marriage separate or community property?

Question on a 401k that I had prior to getting married. Everything I’ve read is it is separate property and not divisible at divorce. Are the gains from that account also separate property? My wife is saying the 401k balance prior to marriage is separate property, but the gains are community... Read more »

Rich J. Peters
Rich J. Peters
answered on Jan 20, 2022

So long as there were no contributions during the marriage, then every penny of your 401(k) will be considered your separate property. You owned it prior to the marriage, and you alone get to benefit from any increases.

Perhaps you could convince her by asking her whether she would have...
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