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Arizona Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Arizona on
Q: My son recently turned 18 and is a high school senior. My ex-wife is won't provide transportation for him to my house.

He has a car but since she gave him 75% of the cost for his care and told him that she would most likely sell his car if he chose to live with me. The divorce decree states that he follows a 5-2-2-5 parenting time schedule. Is she required to follow the decree on parenting time while he is in high... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Oct 10, 2024

The law is not entirely clear on this. A child is not emancipated for SUPPORT purposes until they are 18 and have graduated high school. If they don't graduate high school, they emancipate when they turn 19.

However, that does not mean that's the law for custody....
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Child Custody and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Can my nieces CAA court order my dog to be taken away from me based on a lie of saying he is her emotional support dog?

My brother is going through a custody battle in which temporary orders were given for my nieces to live with their mom. A CAA was brought in and my niece told her that she misses her dog and that she uses her dog as an emotional support animal. The dog in questions was a Christmas gift for the... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Oct 10, 2024

I am probably too late on this ...

Most likely, the family court does not have jurisdiction over your dog.

The family court only has jurisdiction over dogs in divorces and only when the dog was acquired during the marriage and is the property of one or both of the spouses. In that...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: She was supposed to take the kids for holiday but as soon as I arrived she said she was calling the police cause I'm

Refusing to give them to her which was untrue instead she said she had the court paper saying she had parenting time and I said great can you send it to me so I can know when to pick them up. So while waiting for the police over 45 min she called a cab and left without the kids. Then she filed a... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Oct 10, 2024

You're not at fault.

She's being ridiculous.

The problem is this: How did you document this?

When you're fighting with crazy, you sometimes need to think through how to prove things that are, well, absolutely ridiculous that you have to prove.

Bear in...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: In Arizona, can a respondent spouse withdraw consent to dissolve a covenant marriage after filing pleadings
Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Oct 10, 2024

We would need to know more. But I will say the covenant marriage laws do not address this situation, and there is only one published case involving a covenant marriage, and it did not involve this situation, so, in other words, this is a situation the law has neither dealt with nor anticipated.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Arizona on
Q: is my name on the birth certificate enough to establish paternity?

my daughters mother is keeping my daughter from me and I am fully disabled with limited income. I cannot afford an attorney

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Oct 10, 2024

You wrote, "Is my name on the birth certificate enough to establish paternity?"

That's a simple question but it has somewhat complex answer.

 

Technically, no. Your name on the birth certificate does not establish paternity. Under A.R.S. 25-814(A), your name...
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2 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence, Family Law and Immigration Law for Arizona on
Q: So how can I get my husband out of ice custody for removal he was deported once on domestic charge and then came back in

The us married a us citizen but then gets a warrant for not going to court to now he’s got a removal date what can I do

Alexander Ivakhnenko
Alexander Ivakhnenko
answered on Sep 5, 2024

Your spouse faces an uphill removal proceedings battle:

1. He was deemed removable prior based on his criminal conviction of domestic battery

2. He re entered the United States which constituted another criminal infraction based on his procedural history,

3. While in the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Arizona on
Q: My husband wants to pay spousal support for only 1 year help!

We have been married for 18 years 7 months

I have no job at the moment but based on me making 18.00 an hour in the past he thinks he can get away with paying spousal support for 1 year. I have been 100% dependant on him for 18 years and would not be able to support myself financially after... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jun 28, 2024

You should read the attached article discussing the types of alimony available in Arizona:

https://thevalleylawgroup.com/blog/qualifications-alimony-az/

It would be extremely unusual for a court to award alimony after a divorce for an undefined period of time such as until you...
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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Immigration Law, Civil Litigation and International Law for Arizona on
Q: problems with One And The Same Person Affidavit

To obtain a second nationality (Italy) I need to show my family line back to my Italian ancestors. The ancestor in question and of interest is my grandmother (deceased). Her father (deceased) assumed a new last name, never having gotten it formally changed. The last name on his marriage certificate... View More

Elias  Mendoza
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answered on Jun 6, 2024

Navigating the complexities of Italian nationality law and the nuances of such affidavits can be challenging. It’s advisable to coordinate these legal matters with an attorney licensed to practice law in Italy. An Italian attorney will be well-versed in the specific requirements and procedures... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Immigration Law, Civil Litigation and International Law for Arizona on
Q: problems with One And The Same Person Affidavit

To obtain a second nationality (Italy) I need to show my family line back to my Italian ancestors. The ancestor in question and of interest is my grandmother (deceased). Her father (deceased) assumed a new last name, never having gotten it formally changed. The last name on his marriage certificate... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 31, 2024

To file a One And The Same Person Affidavit for your Italian nationality application, you need to clearly establish the connection between the different names used by your ancestor. Start by gathering all relevant documents that show the use of both last names, such as birth certificates, marriage... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: My son was born in a different state. What are the steps for filing for "Joint Custody"?
Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on May 27, 2024

The first is to determine what state has jurisdiction.

For that we first look to what state is the home state. The home state is either

(1) the state your son was born in, if it's the only state he has ever lived in;

OR

(2) the state where he most recently...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Divorce for Arizona on
Q: I recently went thru a divorce in Az..In the decree we were ordered to split the debts owed

My ex isn't paying his share of debt ordered in our final decree.I have wanted to file contempt but there's no contempt papers on debts owed all I get is contact a lawyer..I'm not sure why cause it's a contempt on what the judge ordered...Can anyone explain this to me where I go from here

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on May 27, 2024

I certainly understand your frustration because it seems like contempt should be the right vehicle for your situation.

The answer to your question is complicated and confusing: Property division (which includes the allocation of debts) are not enforceable by contempt proceedings. They can...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Is it legal for a mother to keep children from the father for no reason?

No custody order or protections order

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on May 27, 2024

Your question gets into some legal complexities, but the short answer is that it is not illegal. I'm going to presume they are not married. If they are married, this question has a different answer.

Under Arizona's custodial interference statute, when a child is born out of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: I live in Arizona, I'm having d.C.S issues they are getting in the way of my relationship with my wife

They took the kids. They are making me look like a bad guy. Everything is blamed on me. Just want to know why.

Aaron Brann
Aaron Brann
answered on Apr 29, 2024

In Arizona, the Department of Child Safety (DCS) typically intervenes in family situations when there are concerns about the safety and well-being of children. This can include allegations of neglect, abuse, or other harmful environments. If DCS has removed your children from the home, it's... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: My brother is 16 years old and I'm wondering if I can win 50/50 with my father and take my mom's rights who is unfit?

My mom has a drinking issue and has not had my brother in school for 3 years now I've been fighting with her to put him in school I've been cooking food for him to eat buying food and supporting his needs and also supporting my mom because she does not have a job nor cares to clean I need... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Apr 1, 2024

No. A non-parent cannot share custody with a parent. If you want to seek custody of your brother, you would have to show that both of his parents are unfit AND you would have to show that you stand in loco parentis to your brother (meaning, he treats like a parent and you have been acting as his... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: My ex wife ask for a ua that I provided the day she asked and another because she wanted it observed now she wants a hai

Hair folical too is this excessive ?

Rich J. Peters
Rich J. Peters
answered on Mar 15, 2024

A hair follicle exam can be a perfect way for you to alleviate any and every concern as it provides a historical assessment of your consumption of anything illegal. But, I would need to know more about your situation to determine whether her requests are excessive. Are there court orders in place... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: I live in Maricopa county and I have a warrant out of Michigan for child support. What can I do to stop the extradition

If Michigan wants to extradite me and I did not sign the waiver for extradition what can I do to prevent it from going back to jail at and the governor signed the fugitive and warrant and I have a status conference? What should I do at this conference so I don't end up in jail?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 25, 2024

If you have an outstanding warrant in Michigan and they are seeking to extradite you to face charges there, your options are limited. However, here is some advice:

1. Hire an attorney. You need legal counsel both in Arizona and Michigan to try to challenge the extradition and/or resolve the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law and Child Support for Arizona on
Q: At a fugitive of justice hearing in Maricopa county and there's a status conference when I'm out on bond. What to expect

Hello maricopa county, I got arrested for a warrant out of Michigan for child support and I got bonded out now I have to go to a status conference. What should I expect at the status conference? Will they put me back in jail.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 25, 2024

Here are a few key things you can expect at a status conference for a fugitive of justice case in Maricopa County:

- The judge will check in on the progress of getting you extradited back to Michigan to face the child support warrant. The prosecutor will update if Michigan has begun that...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Civil Rights for Arizona on
Q: Is it possible to get married to the same person twice? Am I allowed to get two marriage certs to the same person?

The first one is basically an elopement for religious reasons which the other family doesn’t approve of and the second one is the big ceremony and party. We do want the second one to look as much as a wedding as possible

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

Yes, it is possible to have multiple marriage ceremonies with the same person. However, obtaining two marriage certificates for the same marriage is not typically allowed as it could be considered fraudulent or deceptive. Marriage certificates are legal documents that certify the marriage between... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Can a 12yr old be held in contempt for not visiting the non custodial parent when there is a court order

My child refuses to visit their father even though we have a court order that says she has too. She hasn't visited him in months and now he is saying he will get her held on contempt for not visiting. I have tried to get to go but she refuses and now says she will runaway and self harm if she... View More

Stephen M Vincent
Stephen M Vincent
answered on Feb 2, 2024

A 12-year-old cannot be held in contempt.

The 12-year-old is the subject of the Court order, but the Court has not ordered her to do anything. A Parenting Plan orders the parents as to what they are to do regarding to the child. Therefore, the 12-year-old has not violated the Court order...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Civil Rights and Elder Law for Arizona on
Q: Is there a way to Revoke my sister's power of attorney for medical - negligent in her duties. Do not want guardianship

She has filed an order of protection against me and has stated she is not capable of taking care of my mother because she suffers from many ailments. I paid and spoke with an attorney and he said I did not have a strong case to try and seek guardianship trying to figure out what options I may have... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 1, 2024

Revoking a power of attorney for medical decisions in Arizona typically requires specific actions and may depend on the terms of the original power of attorney document. Here are some steps to consider:

1. Review the Power of Attorney Document: Examine the power of attorney document to...
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