Alimony, often called “spousal support” or “spousal maintenance,” is money that one spouse pays to the other spouse. It may be paid during a divorce, after the divorce is final, or during both periods. Men and women are equally eligible to pay or to receive spousal maintenance payments in Arizona. Maintenance is…
When you are facing divorce in Arizona, it is natural to want to turn to those you trust for support and advice. While emotional support is vital during the divorce process, sound legal advice from an experienced Phoenix divorce lawyer is always a must. The reason you should always speak to your own…
When parents divorce, the break can be hard on children of all ages – no matter how amicably the marriage ends. While grandparents have limited legal rights to see their grandchildren in Arizona, grandparents who have good relationships with their adult child and his or her spouse can play a key role…
Couples who are in the divorce process in Arizona and who have children under age 18 should create a written “parenting plan” for several reasons. Parenting plans spell out important details, such as which parent will take care of the child at which times and which parent will have legal custody. If…
Each year, about 1.4 million U.S. couples go through the divorce process. While some divorcing spouses emerge from the process in a fairly good position, others face financial and legal headaches that may last for years. Why the difference? Not all couples take the time to learn about and avoid…
If you pass away with a valid will in Arizona, the probate court will handle tasks like appointing your chosen personal representative and overseeing the administration of your estate as your personal representative follows the instructions in your will. The probate court handles the assets that your will distributes, but not all…
Arizona uses a process called “probate” both to carry out the instructions in a deceased person’s will and to deal with an estate left by a person who died without a will (known as dying “intestate”). The probate process is carried out in probate court. What is the Probate Process? Probate…
An advance directive is a document that specifies your wishes if you become unable to make decisions for yourself. These include naming the person you want to take over your financial, healthcare, and other decisions, explaining what kinds of end of life care you do or do not want, and…
Dealing with a divorce settlement is never pleasant business. Emotions run high, and it can be tempting to leave the whole thing in the hands of your experienced Phoenix divorce lawyer. While doing so is always an option, you may be able to save time and money and get results that…
What is a Trust? A “trust” is an estate planning tool utilized by many Arizona residents. While various types of trusts are available, the trust typically used is a “living trust.” During your lifetime, your living trust in Arizona holds all of the property you place into it permitting you to use,…