Family Law: Child Custody
Family legal issues strike close to the heart. Making the right decisions for yourself
and your family requires a diligent advocate and knowledgeable guide through
the Arizona legal system. I work closely with individuals to guide them
through potential divorces, child custody, modifications, and grandparenting rights.
I tailor my approach to fit the specific needs of my clients and their issue
while, at the same time, providing quality and cost-effective representation.
Parenting Time, Child Support, Legal Decision Making
Resolving parenting time issues is an area of law that I have devoted my practice to for good reason. I am a single father and fully understand the seriousness of Custody Disputes and how important it is for your child to enjoy healthy and meaningful relationships with their parents in the context of a divided home.
I know first hand how hard single parents must work to maintain a work/home balance. And I know how a stressful custody dispute can negatively impact other areas of your life.
Me or someone from my office will regularly communicate with you to ensure that we know exactly what is going on in your case as it happens.
I work with my clients on learning communication skills with the other parent, on when to stand up for yourself and when to compromise.
I work with my clients to create personalized parenting schedules and parenting plans that will work specifically for them.
As a family law attorney, I advocate for the child
Advocating for the child
Custody disputes are exhausting and emotional leaving some people vulnerable to attorneys who capitalize on fear and encourage parents to fights as a means to maximize their profits.
I am a big believer that all parents MUST learn to resolve disputes with each other, to be flexible, and to make sacrifices for the good of the child.
At the same time, I will be a relentless advocate for protecting children and parents from an abusive and bullying parent, from a parent who seeks to maximize parenting time to reduce child support, and from a parent who uses children as a sword against the other parent (parental alienation).
I also believe that this mandate is what the Court wants and expects but seldom gets.
Arizona law recognizes the equal rights of fathers
Arizona law: equal parenting rights
The custody laws in Arizona now recognize the equal rights of fathers. Mothers no longer receive favorable treatment over Fathers in custody cases, whether married or not.
Both mother and father are now viewed as equals in the eyes of the law and either of them may qualify for primary custody of a child.
This includes children that are born in the context of outside a marriage (Special Paternity).
It is important that even unmarried fathers remember that they have custody and visitation rights in Arizona.
The verbiage has changed as well. Physical custody (now referred to as parenting time) refers to where the child lives on a day-to-day basis. Legal custody (now referred to as legal decision-making) refers to the responsibility and rights of a parent to make decisions pertaining to the child’s education, religion, medical issues, etc.
It is important for any family lawyer to understand and to combat the obstacles faced by parents, such as:
F.A.Qs
What is Legal Decision Making?
What is parenting time?
Who decides custody and parenting time?
What is meant by “sole legal decision making” versus “joint legal decision making” ?
If parents have joint legal decision making, does the child live with each of them for equal amounts of time?
How can a court’s order be changed?
What does the court consider when deciding what is in the child’s best interests?
How does the court make its decision about parenting time?
What if a parent disobeys a court order for parenting time?
What can the court do if a parenting time order is disobeyed?
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