Divorce Lawyer Glendale AZ

No marriage starts with the expectation that it will someday end. Unfortunately, this is an all too common outcome. Divorce proceedings might be the right decision if your relationship can no longer survive. However, this is not typically a straightforward process.

Even without the intense emotions often involved, this can quickly turn into one of the most complicated family law issues. That’s why having a divorce lawyer in Glendale, AZ, on your side is ideal.

At The Turner Law Firm, our team of legal professionals is committed to securing positive outcomes for our clients. Divorce in Glendale falls under Arizona law, so certain elements are common among all cases. However, there’s no such thing as “typical” divorce and family law issues.

This is why you should speak with a legal professional to understand the best path forward. Contact our law firm today to schedule a confidential consultation.

How Complicated Is Divorce in Arizona?

In Arizona, the dissolution of marriage has the potential to be straightforward. That’s because we live in a no-fault divorce state. This means that Glendale family law lawyers can file for divorce on your behalf with no specific reason for divorce listed.

However, that’s essentially where the “simple” nature of the process ends. Even in an uncontested divorce, a strict legal process must be followed. Mistakes along this path can be costly, time-consuming, and even force you to start completely over.

Of course, these matters only get more complicated with a contested divorce. Disagreements over community assets, debts, and properties can get downright ugly. And when children are involved, it’s not uncommon for emotions to run high and parties to engage in mudslinging.

Even when both sides are trying to remain amicable, the existence of complex financial matters, division of pensions, complications with business ownership, hidden assets, and jurisdictional issues can prove problematic.

If you live in Maricopa County and hope to avoid many of these challenging family law issues, working with an Arizona family law attorney is likely in your best interest. Even if there was no agreement signed prior to the marriage regarding important issues (i.e., a prenuptial agreement), it’s possible to end a marriage without making things more challenging than necessary. Reach out to our law firm today to schedule your consultation.

What Family Law Issues Do Arizona Divorces Involve?

Family law problems are wide and varied. Unfortunately, many of the most complicated issues are frequently entangled in divorce. While these matters often involve intense emotions, reaching helpful and positive resolutions is possible if you’re committed to compromise.

Even if you can’t come to an amicable solution with a former partner, though, it’s essential to understand what’s at stake so you can prepare for what’s to come. Here are the biggest issues our Glendale divorce lawyers deal with in these cases:

Property Division

The division of community assets in Arizona has the potential to be a straightforward process. After all, we live in a community property state. This means that the courts will typically try to divide marital assets, debts, and property as fairly as possible. However, issues such as hidden assets, future earning discrepancies, marital agreements, and dissipation of assets can complicate matters.

In the context of property division, it’s essential to understand that community property includes all assets and debts acquired during the marriage. This can encompass everything from real estate and vehicles to retirement accounts and business interests. However, certain assets might be deemed separate property if they were owned prior to the marriage or acquired through inheritance or gift.

The process of property division often requires a thorough inventory and valuation of all marital assets and liabilities. This is where the expertise of a Glendale family law attorney becomes invaluable. They can help ensure that all assets are accurately identified and appraised, providing a stronger foundation for equitable distribution.

Moreover, disputes can arise over the valuation of certain assets, such as family-owned businesses or professional practices. In such cases, financial experts may be brought in to provide an objective assessment. Additionally, the existence of prenuptial or postnuptial agreements can significantly influence the division of property, as these documents may outline specific terms for asset distribution.

Spousal Support

During a legal separation, divorce proceedings, or after a divorce is finalized, a judge may order one spouse to provide spousal maintenance to the other. These economic support payments are meant to minimize economic discrepancies between former partners.

If your former spouse stayed home to care for the children or otherwise earned less than you, a judge will likely issue such an order for support.

Spousal support, also known as alimony, is determined based on several factors. These include the length of the marriage, the standard of living established during the marriage, and the financial resources and earning potential of each spouse. The court will also consider the age and physical and emotional condition of the spouse seeking support, as well as their ability to become self-sufficient through employment or education.

In some cases, spousal support may be temporary, providing financial assistance during the transition period following a divorce. However, in long-term marriages, permanent spousal support may be awarded, especially if one spouse is unlikely to achieve financial independence due to age or health issues.

It’s important to note that spousal support arrangements can be modified if there are significant changes in circumstances, such as a change in income or employment status. A Glendale divorce attorney can assist in filing for modifications, ensuring that support arrangements remain fair and reflective of current conditions.

Navigating the complexities of spousal support requires careful consideration and legal expertise. By working with experienced Glendale divorce lawyers, you can better understand your rights and obligations, ensuring that any support arrangements are equitable and sustainable in the long term.

Child Custody

In any Glendale divorce, child custody issues are often the most complicated. Both parents typically want what’s best for their children. Unfortunately, their opinion on what this constitutes can vary dramatically.

Child custody involves determining both physical and legal custody. Physical custody refers to where the child will live, while legal custody involves decision-making rights regarding the child’s education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. These decisions are paramount and require careful consideration, often necessitating the expertise of a Glendale family law attorney.

The court’s primary concern is the child’s best interests, which can include factors like the child’s relationship with each parent, the child’s adjustment to home and school, and the mental and physical health of all parties involved. In some cases, the child’s own wishes may be considered, depending on their age and maturity.

A Glendale divorce lawyer can help mediate an agreement between you and your former spouse. If an agreement is not possible, however, having Glendale divorce attorneys on your side can prove invaluable in court. They can present evidence and arguments to support your case for custody, ensuring that all relevant factors are considered by the court.

Moreover, custody arrangements can be modified if there are significant changes in circumstances. This might involve changes in a parent’s living situation, employment, or health. A skilled attorney can assist in filing for a custody modification, ensuring that the new arrangement reflects the child’s current needs and best interests.

Navigating child custody issues can be emotionally taxing, but with the right legal guidance, you can work towards an arrangement that supports your child’s well-being and fosters a positive co-parenting relationship.

Child Support

If you were to ask a dozen divorce lawyers in Glendale, AZ, about the most straightforward issue in the dissolution of marriage, they might cite “child support” as their answer. Arizona typically requires non-custodial parents to make payments to custodial parents. However, it’s the responsibility of both parties to provide financial support. While this issue is theoretically straightforward, it’s not uncommon for difficult family law issues to complicate matters.

For instance, disagreements can arise regarding the amount of child support payments, especially when one parent believes the calculated amount is unfair or insufficient to cover the child’s needs. Additionally, changes in circumstances such as job loss, relocation, or significant changes in the child’s needs can lead to requests for modifications in the support arrangement. In some cases, disputes may also occur over unpaid child support, leading to legal enforcement actions.

Moreover, the court considers various factors when determining child support, such as each parent’s income, the child’s standard of living before the divorce, and any special needs the child may have. These considerations can add layers of complexity to what might initially seem like a straightforward process.

Let our Glendale divorce attorneys help you through this process. With their expertise, they can guide you through the nuances of child support laws in Arizona, ensuring that your child’s best interests are prioritized and that you reach a fair agreement. Whether you’re negotiating payments or seeking enforcement of an existing order, having experienced legal representation can make a significant difference in the outcome.

Should You Just Let the Legal System Take Its Course?

In many family law cases, people think that they should just let the legal system run its course. After all, Arizona statutes are fairly in-depth regarding family law matters. This leads many to think that only one outcome is possible.

However, this is far from reality. In truth, there’s no way to predict how a judge will rule on divorce issues. If you just sit back and accept any eventual outcome as unavoidable, you could end up with an unfair division of assets and debts, unfavorable child custody orders, and other adverse outcomes.

In fact, more severe cases result in abusers having access to children. This is a tragic possibility in the divorce process, and in many instances, it’s wholly unavoidable. This is true with many other matters that arise when a marriage is irretrievably broken.

While Arizona law may be straightforward, it leaves a lot of room for judicial discretion. Additionally, it’s possible that a final order will be based on incomplete or false information. Strive not to let this happen.

Whether you’re going through a contested or uncontested divorce, there are ways to improve your odds of coming out on top. Then again, it might be possible to avoid an adversarial approach. Every Glendale family law attorney at our firm has experience mediating agreements between parents and former partners.

If you believe a court order was unfair or no longer appropriate, a Glendale divorce lawyer can help you seek a modification. Put simply, there are ways to secure a better outcome.

Contact Our Divorce Lawyer Glendale AZ Today

Glendale divorce attorneys see a lot in their professions. On a good day, they can help former partners agree to a mutually beneficial outcome. In some family law cases, this is even possible when tempers are high at first — since many people eventually realize that an adversarial approach can be more stressful and expensive than necessary.

However, Glendale family law doesn’t always work out in such a manner. If you’re involved in a contested divorce, legal representation is even more important.

At The Turner Law Firm, many of our Glendale divorce attorneys have more than a decade of legal experience. This means you’ll be hard-pressed to find a law firm with more knowledgeable professionals on staff.

No matter the perceived simplicity or difficulty of your family law issue, we can help you decide the best path forward. Our Glendale divorce lawyer is here to assist.

For residents of Glendale seeking information on divorce proceedings, the Glendale City Court provides resources and services related to family law matters. Their office is located at 5711 W Glendale Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301. You can contact them at (623) 930-2400 for more information.