Child Custody and Divorce Lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona
In child custody cases, I represent divorced parents and parents who have not married. For either situation, "the best interests of the child" is the major guideline followed by Arizona courts in determining child custody and child support. It is also my personal focus.
Before you enter into any sort of child custody agreement, you should talk with an attorney who knows the fine points of Arizona child custody rules. Otherwise you could end up spending much less time than you want with your children, paying more than you should fairly pay for child support, or receiving less than you require.
Personal attention pays off
I try to establish close, one-on-one relationships with all of my clients, and especially those for whom child custody will be an issue. In order to present the most convincing case for you to have sole or joint custody of the child or to establish adequate visitation time for you to spend with the child, I want to get know you well in order to do justice to your story.
Mediation as an option
Cases involving child custody (I would rather call it "a parenting plan") can become very complicated, because child custody decisions must take many factors into account:
- Where the child goes to school
- Each parent's ability to raise the child
- Parental fitness (possible substance abuse)
- What the child wants
Mediation is an approach I favor to find solutions in child custody arrangements. While judges try to make the right decisions concerning child custody, the parents can often work out an arrangement that better fits their personal circumstances by agreeing to one beforehand.
Child support issues
A parent with custody of a child deserves the support payments agreed upon in the settlement. Conversely, if you owe child support payments and are unable to pay due to job loss, disability or other financial difficulty, the court must be made aware of your change in circumstances to protect you from financial penalties and possible jail time. Generally, child support in Arizona is controlled by guidelines that can be accessed here.
Contact my office
In either situation, the legal issues are complicated and, as an experienced lawyer, I can provide representation that focuses on your best interests.
If you want to learn more about child custody issues in Arizona, or require legal guidance now, please contact my office as soon as possible.
John P. Moore, Attorney at Law
777 East Thomas Street
Suite 130
Phoenix, AZ 85014-2362
Phone 602-266-3800
Fax 602-266-0466