Family law is one of the ways in which most Peoria, Arizona residents have their first and only interaction with the Arizona legal system. Whether it is a divorce, child custody dispute or demand for enforcement of child support obligations, family law encompasses nearly all disputes and issues that arise among family members.

    Nearly half of all litigants in family law matters are not represented by an attorney. The lack of legal representation can make things difficult. It often leads to unnecessary delays and heartache. For this reason, you should not go to a Family Court hearing in Arizona alone.

    At Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., we are here to help you to resolve your family law matters in a timely manner while protecting your rights and interests. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn more about how we can help you.

    What Is Family Law?

    The law is comprised of many different areas of practice. In this sense, the law is like medicine or any other profession. Attorneys who regularly handle family law matters in Peoria must be skilled and knowledgeable while also maintaining compassion. Here are some of the types of family law cases which our legal team at Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. regularly handles for our clients:

    • Divorce – Parties can handle an Arizona divorce in different ways. When possible, the parties should reach an agreement that is carefully crafted to prevent future problems and disputes such as tax complications and disagreements about parenting time. If the parties cannot amicably reach an agreement, an experienced divorce lawyer can help you to explore other options such as mediation or litigation.
    • Child Custody – If parents get a divorce in Peoria, they will need legal assistance with developing a parenting plan that addresses two key issues: Legal decision making (who makes decisions concerning the child’s medical care, education, religious upbringing and other matters) and parenting time (the amount of time which the child spends with each parent). If the parties cannot agree on a parenting plan, an attorney should be prepared to seek an arrangement in Family Court litigation which will protect a parent’s rights and the best interests of the child. Child custody lawyers can help with this.
    • Child Support – Child support is often a major source of contention between parents. As a hard-working parent, you probably want to keep as much of your money as possible so you can provide a good life for your kids. Still, your spouse may have conflicting interests. Finding the balance and making sure that a child support award is fair and appropriate can be difficult. Enforcing a court order for support can be equally challenging and requires help from an experienced attorney.
    • Division of Marital Property – One of the key issues confronted in the vast majority of Peoria divorces is how the couple will split the community property owned within the marriage. This process, known as the “division of marital property,” can have long-lasting effects on your financial stability after the divorce is final. An attorney can work with you to reach an agreement with your spouse that protects your property interests.
    • Prenuptial Agreements – An attorney from Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. can help you and your future spouse to create a solid prenuptial agreement that lists each party’s assets and liabilities, establishes how property will be shared once you are married and spells out how the property will be divided if the marriage terminates.
    • Adoption – Grandparents, step-parents and other relatives sometimes need to get involved and seek paternal rights to protect a minor child. Adoption is a beautiful and heartwarming way to provide a permanent home for a child in need. Still, many obstacles are in place to ensure that the child’s best interests are protected. If you don’t use a skilled attorney, you could find yourself paying a lot of money and spending a lot of extra time on the process.

    Not all family law matters are acrimonious and difficult. Often, an experienced family law attorney in Peoria can help parties to reach workable agreements that are in everyone’s best interests. In fact, hiring an experienced family law attorney can actually help you to save money by streamlining the process.

    How Does Family Court Differ from Other Courts in Arizona?

    Family Court is a part of the Arizona civil court system. Family Court judges have broad powers to decide matters of law and equity. They are authorized to review facts and laws and render decisions that are based on not only the statutes and regulations of our state but also based on fundamental fairness.

    While all the same basic court rules and procedural rules apply in Family Court, they tend to be relaxed. Judges in other courts may be reluctant to hear certain arguments, or they may require rigid application of rules. However, Family Court judges often must decide issues such as whether a child should attend a particular school or have a liberal amount of parenting time with a loved one. As a result, they are more willing than other courts to allow flexibility.

    How to Resolve Family Law Disputes in Peoria, AZ?

    Most experienced practitioners will agree that the best way to resolve a divorce, child custody dispute, or other family law matter is through skilled negotiations or through the use of mediation, which is a confidential process that encourages collaboration and cooperation. During mediation, you, your spouse, and your attorneys sit down with a neutral third party, or mediator, whose goal is to help everyone to find common ground and reach an agreement.

    The attorneys of Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. have many years of experience with carefully advising clients and helping them to navigate through emotional issues. We understand how mediation works. If you are involved in a family law dispute, our family law lawyers in Peoria can help you to use mediation to your advantage.

    Our Peoria Family Law Attorneys are Ready to Help You

    For help with your family law matter, give Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. a call today. The best way to get peace of mind and make sense of your situation is to schedule a brief meeting with an attorney from our legal team and work through your issues. Our goal will be to develop a clear strategy and path forward. Contact our law offices today to learn more about how a family law lawyer can assist you in Peoria. We’ve been helping people in Peoria AZ deal with their family law issues for years, and we are ready to help you.