Family Lawyer In Arizona

Family is the most important part of life for many people in Arizona and across the country. That is why family law disputes often come with big stakes, whether it is a disagreement about dividing property after a divorce or a fight over who gets custody of the kids.

Anyone considering a divorce or grappling with related issues should seek the advice and counsel of an experienced family law attorney.

The Arizona family law attorneys at Hildebrand Law help people navigate a full range of legal issues related to spouses, former spouses, and children. Our lawyers are committed to resolving family law matters efficiently, without long and drawn-out court battles whenever possible. We also stand ready to fight aggressively for our clients in court when needed.

Divorce in Arizona

Although divorces are often contentious situations in which one or both spouses refuse to budge, the truth is many can be resolved on optimal grounds by working collaboratively. This allows the spouses to end the marriage and go their separate ways without an additional layer of stress that comes with a court fight. 

Arizona’s uncontested divorce option gives people the power to end their marriages without full-blown litigation efficiently. This streamlined divorce option is available when spouses agree on key issues, like child custody and visitation schedules, and how to divide assets, and whether one spouse is entitled to alimony. 

At Hildebrand Law, our Arizona family law attorneys have had significant success negotiating the terms of uncontested divorces. While not always possible, this option gives divorcing spouses the power to decide important issues for themselves rather than leaving it up to a judge.

Arizona Child Custody and Support

There are two types of child custody in Arizona.

• Physical custody: where the child lives. 
• Legal custody: who makes decisions about the child’s care and upbringing, including education and healthcare.

When courts get involved in child custody disputes, their goal is to answer one overarching question: What is in the child’s best interests?

Judges often answer this question by looking at several different factors about the child’s relationship with the parents and each parent’s ability to provide a loving, stable, and productive home for their kids. After an initial custody determination, the court can make changes if deemed necessary due to a change in circumstances.

Courts also often order the noncustodial parent to pay child support to the custodial parent. The amount of support is largely based on judicially adopted guidelines.

Asset Division and Alimony

Arizona is a community property state. Therefore any property obtained during a marriage is generally considered marital property and divided among the spouses in a divorce.

Although marital property must be divided, state law does not require an even split. Instead, the distribution must simply be “fair” under the circumstances.

A divorcing spouse also has the right to seek alimony or spousal support as part of the divorce. These payments, which are meant to help the receiving spouse maintain a certain standard of living enjoyed during the marriage, can be ordered in a lump sum or on a recurring basis.

Contact an Arizona Family Law Attorney

If you are considering a divorce or facing other family law issues in Arizona, Hildebrand Law can help. Call us at (480) 305-8300 or schedule an appointment to speak with an Arizona family law attorney today.