In Arizona, there are at least 29 different laws that define acts of domestic violence. These laws cover a range of offenses, from felonies like child abuse or aggravated assault (which includes shooting, stabbing, and strangulation) to misdemeanors such as damage to...
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What does collaborative divorce involve?
There are many different ways for people to approach the divorce process. Some couples don't plan ahead and let their emotions dictate their actions. They employ a scorched-earth approach in which they fight over every last detail. They may end up in family court,...
The impact of taxes and debts on an estate
Individuals who engage in estate planning often have specific wishes they hope to achieve. For example, they may want to leave as much property as possible for a spouse, child or grandchild. Many people dream of their resources having a positive impact on their loved...
Issues to consider in a prenuptial agreement
Prenuptial agreements are becoming more common to protect the separate interests of partners who are planning to get married. This document can serve a number of functions, including designating which assets are subject to being divided if the spouses get a divorce or...
Why many divorcing couples try to resolve issues via mediation
Some people preparing for divorce fantasize about vindication in family court. They imagine a judge chastising their spouse for their failings throughout the marriage or their misconduct in the early stages of divorce negotiations. Those with intense feelings about...
3 important requirements for an Arizona stepparent adoption
A stepparent adoption can be a beautiful and loving way to show a child how much they matter to the adults in their life. The stepparent who has begun fulfilling a parental role might decide that they would prefer to remove the prefix from their title. A stepparent...
When do power of attorney documents lose their authority?
An Arizona estate plan typically includes documents that dictate a person’s wishes for distribution of their property after their death, such as a Last Will and Testament or Living Trust. However, the most thorough and useful estate plans typically also include...
3 options for funding an Arizona special needs trust
Caring for a loved one with special needs may be a lifetime responsibility. Parents and other family members may need to continue to provide daily guidance and financial support for someone with special needs even after they become an adult. Individuals with disabling...
Challenges of shared decision-making authority after divorce
When couples with children get divorced, they must determine what most people refer to as "custody" arrangements. Their parenting time arrangements define the schedule for when each parent is responsible for caretaking and where the children live accordingly. In most...
Why do many divorcing Arizona couples agree to mediation?
There are two well-known approaches to divorce in Arizona: traditional litigation and mediation. A traditional or "contested" divorce process may be appropriate in situations when spouses have disagreements about their children, their property division or child...