Blog

In Arizona family law procedure, the court may consider the wishes of the child in terms of a custody dispute if they meet the criteria for “sufficient age and maturity” under Arizona state law. The determination of what the child’s wishes are, and how to consider them, is made through the consideration of several factors: Interview with the Children Per Rule 12, Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure, the court may order that a child deemed to have sufficient maturity be inte

It is a very common, and persistent myth that there exists an age at which a minor child can make their own decision as to which parent they would like to live with. This has never been the case. So long as a person remains under the age of eighteen, their wishes may serve to instruct the court or their parents about whom they would like to reside with, or other decisions about their care, but they are not binding factors. The court and the child’s parents are free to ignore

Motorcycling is fun and a great way to get from point A to point B, but it does have some inherent dangers that aren’t faced by other motorists. It’s important for motorcyclists to be aware of these common dangers while on the road in order to prevent serious injury or even death. Here are some of the most common dangers that motorcyclists should be on the alert for. Other Drivers Unfortunately, one of the single biggest dangers facing motorcyclists is other drivers on the ro

In the state of Arizona, there are strict rules around the establishment of a child’s presumptive paternity. In most cases, paternity can only be rescinded within 60 days of the presumptive father’s written legal acknowledgment of paternity. This must be filed with the Department of Economic Security, the Department of Health Services, or a clerk of the court. After sixty days have passed, the court presumes the man listed on the birth certificate to be the father of the chil

Having a dog is a big responsibility! Many people liken it to having a child. A dog can be an amazing worker, companion, and friend. But they can also do great harm to other animals and human beings if trained improperly or worse yet, not at all. In the majority of states, dog bite injuries are a strict liability civil matter. Arizona is included among those states. Strict liability refers to the legal concept wherein the owner of the dog is always liable when their dog injur

Article IV, section 1 of the US Constitution is commonly referred to as the “full faith a credit” clause. It states: “Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records, and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.” What this means is that documents issued by one state, in particular marriage licenses, mu

Child abandonment is a serious offense in the state of Arizona and can lead to a variety of legal consequences. These can include, but aren’t limited to; fines, imprisonment, and the termination of the absent parents’ parental rights by the state. This means that barring very few defenses, it is possible to lose your legal parenting relationship with your child if it has been requested by the custodial parent, and found by the relevant court, that you have abandoned them. Ari

An order of protection is a very serious legal motion that can have a high impact on the life of the person who is placed under one. Sometimes colloquially known as a “restraining order”, an order of protection places numerous restrictions upon a person and is normally also associated with a loss of second amendment rights. Violating an order of protection carries with it potentially very serious legal consequences. Those who ignore an order of protection may face immediate a

Motor vehicle crashes in the state of Arizona are on the rise. In 2022, there were 36,907 collisions on highways in the state compared to 2021’s 30,894 collisions. If current trends continue, the number of collisions in 2023 is projected to be even higher. However, the cause of these increases in collisions over the past several years has fundamentally changed. In fact, they largely remain the same and can be tied not to factors inherent to the state’s roads, but to the behav

It’s all too common these days for people to share every aspect of their lives on social media. This is understandable! After all, these platforms are built with social engagement and sharing in mind. However, they can be disastrous during divorce proceedings. It’s not uncommon for an unsavvy user to get into the kind of trouble during a divorce proceeding that can be costly at best, and potentially devastating at worst, up to and including loss of custody of minor children.

Slip and fall accidents remain one of the number one sources of personal injury claims nationwide behind motor vehicle accidents and dog bites. However, unlike the former, slips and falls can happen just about anywhere, and it can be very hard to prove necessary negligence on the part of the property owner. There are several key causes of slips and falls that property owners should be aware of. Wet Surfaces Almost everyone has seen a “Caution: Wet Floor” sign at one point or

Divorce can be a fraught and emotionally devastating time for any family. It can be especially distressing for grandparents, who may face an even greater degree of uncertainty. It’s natural to hope that your child is the one who maintains physical and legal custody of the grandchildren, but this is not always the case. In the State of Arizona, there is no automatic right of grandparents to receive visitation rights to their grandchildren. As a result, grandparents must act wi

Each year in the United States, there are approximately 4.5 million dog bites, with about 20 percent of them resulting in infections. Although children are the most frequent victims, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control underscores that dog bites can affect individuals of any age or size. Consequently, Arizona has enacted stringent and precise dog bite laws. Under section 11-1025 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, if you sustain a dog bite in a public location or while lawfully

Valuing a small business within divorce proceedings can be a complex undertaking for family law attorneys. It often entails collaborating with a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and gaining access to various financial records, including tax returns, bookkeeping files, and comprehensive information on assets, inventory, cash flow, and debts. Even with the involvement of a CPA, the expertise of a divorce attorney remains pivotal, particularly when dealing with the valuations o

Navigating a divorce is emotionally challenging, even in seemingly straightforward cases. The complexity intensifies when children are involved, leading discussions about custody and parenting time to become explosive and legally intricate disputes. Regardless of the perceived simplicity of your case, it is crucial to take every necessary step to safeguard your parental rights during a divorce. The Geauga County Case In a recent Cleveland, Ohio Case, one family experienced th

Motorcycles offer both enjoyment and an efficient means of transportation. Unfortunately, they can also pose significant dangers. According to Arizona Department of Transportation, in 2021, 2,594 crashes involving motorcycles were reported, with 2,052, or about 79%, resulting in injuries. Accidents result in the loss of lives for hundreds of Arizonans annually, with thousands more sustaining injuries, affecting both drivers and bystanders. These incidents frequently lead to i

Not all relationships are healthy. Unfortunately, some relationships become abusive over time. It can be difficult to see the warning signs of abuse until well after a relationship has already been established. By then, it can be very difficult for the victim of the abuse to muster up the ability and resources to leave the relationship. This can be even more true in the context of a marriage. In many cases, abuse doesn’t begin until the victim is in some way dependent on the