Divorce Lawyer in Phoenix
What are the primary issues?
At least 10% of all Americans are divorced, and 40% of those who divorce have children. According to a 2009 American Community Survey, Arizona is one of 14 states where divorce rates are higher than the national average. Approximately 11 out of every 1,000 men in Arizona and 12 of 1,000 women in Arizona had gotten divorced during the previous year, and studies show that women are more likely to fall into poverty after they get divorced.
Divorce is defined by law as a court decree that terminates a marriage. The process of divorce is difficult for most individuals, both mentally and emotionally. The decision to divorce and the aftermath of such a decision affects parents and children for years. Divorce cases are frequently complex and are filled with major decisions. There are also important minor details that must be addressed before a resolution is reached. The primary issues that are addressed when two people decide to divorce include:
If you are considering filing for divorce or have already made your decision, it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced Phoenix divorce lawyer to assist you in your case. With a legal professional's help, you will have a stronger chance of obtaining an outcome to your divorce proceedings that is beneficial to you and your family.
Understanding the Divorce Process
A spouse is allowed to file for divorce in Arizona if the marriage is irretrievably broken with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation. Unlike other states that force a spouse to provide proof of fault in order to file for divorce, Arizona is a no-fault divorce state. Instead of proving adultery or another form of offense, a spouse can simply state that the marriage is broken beyond repair.
The divorce process can vary significantly from case to case, but there are some similarities with every divorce. Every family law case begins with one spouse filing for a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. After the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and the other required documents are served to the other spouse, the case will be considered in "service of process". Service of process must be completed no later than 120 days after the original petition was filed with the court, and proof that service of process has occurred must be filed with the clerk of the court.
After this is completed, both parties are given time to conduct discovery in order to seek out information and documentation to prove their case. Our firm can help you gather the pertinent information you need, as both spouses are required to disclose certain documents to the other spouse. We can also help you seek additional information through a subpoena, discovery requests for information, and even the scheduling of depositions.
Completing the Legal Dissolution of a Marriage
You and your spouse are always free to resolve your divorce issues and to end the discovery and disclosure portion of the case if you and your spouse have enough sufficient information. In uncontested cases, the parties may obtain a divorce without ever appearing in court by submitting a proper Consent Decree and Marital Settlement Agreement. Alternative Dispute Resolution, such as
mediation, has become an exceedingly popular way to reach agreements on all of the issues in a divorce case. To learn more about the entire divorce process and how a legal professional can help expedite the process, call The Wallin Law Firm today!
The Wallin Law Firm possesses over two decades of experience in providing individuals with professional legal help. We assist clients in all aspects of their divorce cases, from visitation rights to
military divorces, and we work diligently to obtain results that serve those clients' best interests. If you are in need of legal aid in your divorce case, contact our offices as soon as possible. We will review your situation and provide you with step-by-step guidance that is intended to secure an amicable resolution to your proceedings. To learn more,
contact a Phoenix divorce attorney from the firm today.