how to find a lawyer for divorce in arizona

by Jace Mayert 7 min read

Where to look for an attorney The State Bar of Arizona is a mandatory membership organization and the disciplinary records of all Arizona divorce lawyers are posted for review by the public. The State Bar maintains a “Find a Lawyer” service, which will help you find an Arizona injury lawyer near you.

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How to contact a divorce lawyer in Arizona?

Divorce Lawyer Serving Arizona (602) 548-3400 Phoenix, AZ Divorce Attorney with 20 years of experience Stewart Law Group is a firm focused on Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody with eight offices in the Greater Phoenix area.

Who is the best divorce attorney in Scottsdale AZ?

With nearly 20 years of outstanding experience representing clients throughout Maricopa County, Attorney Jason Pistiner has built a reputation as one of the Scottsdale divorce attorneys you can count on for dependable representation when it counts.

Who is the best family law attorney in Arizona?

Patrick Sampair has over 35 years of legal experience and has helped thousands of Arizonans with their family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, child relocation and alimony (or spousal... Read More » Brandy has assisted Arizona families with family law matters for more than 15 years.

How do I find a good divorce lawyer in my area?

Use the ABA, the American Bar Association, to identify a list of lawyers and their specialties who practice in your area. Most counties will have a professional association of lawyers. In addition, often times, this group can tell you which lawyers specialize in divorce.

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How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Arizona?

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in Arizona? Divorce lawyers in Arizona cost between $250 to $550 per hour on average. However, if you hire an experienced divorce lawyer in AZ, average lawyer fees can be much as $400 to $750 per hour.

Do I need a lawyer for a divorce in AZ?

In Arizona, a large percentage of divorces proceed without either party hiring a lawyer. As Arizona is a no-fault divorce state, couples do not need a specific reason to file for divorce – it is sufficient that the parties do not get along – otherwise known as irretrievable differences.

How much does it cost to file for a divorce in AZ?

What is the cost of a divorce in Arizona? In Maricopa County, the base fee for filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (with or without children) is $349. Pima County's fee is $83 less at $266. Other Arizona counties have different filing fees.

Can I file for a divorce on my own in Arizona?

Even if you decide to file for divorce on your own, there will be fees. You must pay to file documents with the court. Filing fees differ depending on your jurisdiction and the materials you have to file. You also have to pay to serve the other party.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in Arizona?

Generally, it is the wife that files for divorce in Arizona so she will be entitled to half of all community property and earnings during the marriage unless she can prove otherwise. Our advice is not contesting a wife's entitlement to more than 50%, but trying to settle out of court by negotiating with her attorney.

Does Arizona require separation before divorce?

Does Arizona require separation before divorce? No, Arizona does not require spouses to separate before filing for divorce (dissolution of marriage). However, there is a waiting period of at least 60 days before the divorce can be finalized after filing and serving your spouse.

Who pays for a divorce in AZ?

The Arizona divorce laws permit the Court to order one spouse to pay some or all of the other spouse's attorney fees and costs. Although there are many different statutes that provide the court with this authority, the most cited statute is A.R.S. 24-324.

How do I start the divorce process in Arizona?

To initiate a divorce in Arizona, a spouse files a “Petition for Dissolution of Marriage” with the clerk of the Superior Court and pays the requisite filing fee. The other spouse must be served with a copy of the petition and summons.

Does it matter who files for divorce first in Arizona?

If you are thinking about divorce, you may wonder, “Does it matter who files for divorce first in Arizona?” Legally, the answer is no. Whether you file first will not make any difference regarding any of the legal elements of your divorce.

Can I divorce without going to court?

An uncontested divorce is one in which you and your spouse work together to agree on the terms of your divorce. You will both consult with the same attorney, who will be unbiased and impartial. There is no formal trial, and only the plaintiff appears in court.

How long does a divorce take in Arizona?

between 90 and 120 daysIt depends. Although you can get a divorce decree in as little as 60 days (in limited circumstances as per the waiting period in Arizona Revised Statute 25-329), the average time to finalize even an uncontested divorce in Arizona is between 90 and 120 days. In many cases, divorces can take considerably longer.

Can divorce be denied?

Thus, the courts can deny you a divorce if the judge is convinced you haven't sorted all your kid's custody issues. Not proving at-fault divorce – If you stated fault-based grounds for divorce, such as adultery, and you failed to sufficiently support these claims with evidence, the court can deny your divorce.

Divorce

Getting a divorce can have serious, long-term effects, both emotionally and legally. There are also strict legal requirements that cover everything from choosing a method of legal separation to selecting where and how to file, to deciding how the property should be divided. The divorce process can be confusing, especially without legal assistance.

Need an attorney in Arizona?

FindLaw's Lawyer Directory is the largest online directory of attorneys. Browse more than one million listings, covering everything from bankruptcy and foreclosure to DUI to immigration.

Do You Have to Have a Reason for Divorce?

A no-fault divorce allows a court to enter a divorce decree without one party having to legally prove the other party did something wrong in the marriage.

Steps in a Divorce or Divorce Proceedings

Though divorce is quite common, those who are filing for divorce for the first time may not be familiar with the process.

How long does it take to get divorced in Arizona?

Arizona law enforces a 60-day waiting period before a divorce can be finalized, even when both parties agree to all the provisions set forth in the Petition. After 60 days , if your spouse has not answered the filing, you can file for a default divorce.

What are the two types of divorce?

There are two basic types of divorce: uncontested and contested. In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree to the divorce and agree how marital assets are to be divided and other terms of the divorce (this may also include parenting time for those with minor children). In a contested divorce, the parties cannot reach an agreement ...

What is the Maricopa County Law Library?

The Maricopa County Law Library Resource Center provides forms and instructions for divorce with or without minor children, as well as forms related to paternity, parenting time, and child support.

How many copies of divorce packets are required?

Information about parenting plans and responsibilities (required for parties with minor children) Three copies of the divorce packet are required: one for the court, one for you (the petitioner), and one for your spouse (the respondent).

What is a pro bono divorce?

In some cases, what you really need is a document preparation service. This type of service helps DIY-divorce petitioners to fill out their documents properly and file them.

Is there a divorce form for Arizona?

Arizona divorce forms are all available online and free to use. The Arizona Judicial Branch provides the required forms and instructions for a divorce with minor children or without minor children. These forms may be accepted by courts statewide, although some courts may have their own preferred forms.

What to look for in a divorce lawyer?

Key points to look for when searching for a good divorce lawyer-. 1. Understand your lawyer’s role. The goal of using a lawyer to help in your divorce process is to move the dissolution of your marriage forward in a fair and equitable manner. The main points of discussion when meeting with a lawyer should focus on money, ...

What percentage of a family law practice should be devoted to family law?

If they don’t specialize in family law exclusively, find out what percentage of the practice is devoted to family law; it should be at least 50% of their caseload. Depending on your financial situation, you may want to seek a lawyer who also has expertise in finance and property laws. It is important to get a good “fit”.

Why is it important to meet with several lawyers?

You want to get a sense of different approaches so it is important to meet with several lawyers in order to decide on one who would be the right lawyer for your unique situation. Often times, you can get a sense of what a lawyer is like from your first phone call to their practice.

Can lawyers advertise on the internet?

Check their online presence. In years past, some states allowed lawyers to advertise in telephone directories. If you still use a directory, you can always check there, but nowadays nearly all lawyers and legal practice s have websites that you can check out.

Is it easy to divorce?

Hopefully, you will have done your research and your divorce can move along and be finalized without major hitches. It is never an easy decision to divorce, but going in with knowledge can help make this transition time less uncertain and a bit easier to get through.

Is it important to find a good divorce lawyer?

Deciding to divorce can be a long, soul-searching and emotionally-draining process. Adding to the stress is the necessity of finding a good divorce lawyer from the beginning. It is important to have top-notch legal representation, however, so do your research and find the best divorce lawyer you can afford. Finding the right lawyer could end up ...

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Russell Wenk graduated from Peoria High School, Peoria AZ in 1991. He then enlisted in the United States Navy and served onboard the USS Kitty Hawk stationed in San Diego, CA from 1992-1996. After receiving his honorable discharge, Russell atten...

Arizona divorce and separation attorneys

A divorce lawyer helps you if you no longer want to be married. Whether you want a legal separation or the marriage ended, divorce lawyers assist you to arrange financial and family matters, typically in a negotiation with your spouse's lawyer.

How to file a divorce petition in Arizona?

To file a divorce petition in Arizona, the petitioner must also file the following: Summons: Informs to the respondent that a divorce has been filed and he/she must take action within a particular time period.

Who is the respondent in divorce in Arizona?

In the state of Arizona, the spouse initiating the divorce proceedings is referred to as the “petitioner” and the spouse being served the divorce papers is referred to as the “re spondent”. The forms needed and the fees you have to pay for filing for divorce may vary depending on the county. It is a good idea to check with your local court ...

How long do you have to file for divorce in Arizona?

Your spouse or you must have resided in the county where you’re filing for a divorce for a minimum of 90 days before filing a Petition for Divorce. Any children belonging to your spouse and you should have resided in ...

What is contested divorce?

A contested divorce is where both spouses do not agree on the various issues of the divorce such as division of property, child custody, etc. If your spouse and you disagree about even a single issue, then the divorce is a contested one.

What are the grounds for divorce in Arizona?

ARIZONA GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE. The “no-fault” grounds for a divorce in Arizona are that the marriage is broken irretrievably and there is no prospect of a reconciliation. If the marriage is a covenant marriage, then the grounds for the dissolution of the marriage are: Abandonment. Adultery.

What happens when a divorce is contested?

A contested divorce usually ends up in court and needs a trial where the judge will make decisions on the issues that your spouse and you are unable to agree on. Usually, for a contested divorce, both your spouse and you will need to hire your own divorce lawyers and you may require to go to court several times.

How long do you have to live in Arizona to get divorce?

Any children belonging to your spouse and you should have resided in Arizona for a minimum period of 6 months before the court has the judicial authority to pass judgment regarding child custody and parenting time. From the time that you file your petition for divorce, there is a waiting period of a minimum of 60 days before ...

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