Arizona Child Support Lawyer
Respectful and Caring Child Custody and Support
Phoenix Family Law Attorneys for the Child's Best Interests
In family law and divorce, there are very few issues that have the same emotional impact as child custody and child support. Arizona law presumes that a child will benefit the most from significant and ongoing contact with both parents. The challenge, however, is to develop an agreement that allows each parent to have a consistent, healthy relationship with their children, while maintaining agreed-upon guidelines for raising those children.
At the law firm of Bruce D. Brown PLLC, we prefer to settle issues of child custody outside of a courtroom because we believe that a child's parents are best equipped to decide the child's future. If we succeed, we will draft an agreement that works for both parents and the children. If there are disputes that cannot be worked out privately, our firm will represent you in court to resolve these differences.
When you debate matters of child custody and child support, you need a lawyer who will help you think about all of your short term and long term options and can make healthy recommendations for the best interests of you and your family.
In child support cases, Arizona Guidelines presumes that the financial burden of raising a child should be shared by both parents fairly. This does not always mean that the burden should be divided equally. Depending on factors such as differing incomes, standard of living, the child's special needs, or any substantial changes in lifestyle, child support may be apportioned differently to maintain a fair balance between both parents.
The attorneys and staff at the law firm of Bruce D. Brown PLLC understand child support and will make sure to always protect your rights. You can be confident that your lawyer is looking after your best interests as well as the best interests of your child.
The Custody Hearing
At a custody hearing, there are many factors that a judge will consider when dividing parental time and duties surrounding the children. The judge always looks after the best interests of the children first, but will also consider evidence to your past and present conduct and abilities. These factors, pursuant to Arizona statute, include:
- The wishes of the child's parent or parents as to custody.
- The wishes of the child as to the custodian.
- The interaction and interrelationship of the child with the child's parent or parents, the child's siblings and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interest.
- The child's adjustment to home, school and community.
- The mental and physical health of all individuals involved.
- Which parent is more likely to allow the child frequent and meaningful continuing contact with the other parent.
- Whether one parent, both parents or neither parent has provided primary care of the child.
- The nature and extent of coercion or duress used by a parent in obtaining an agreement regarding custody.
After considering these factors, the judge will either decide to award equal joint custody to both parents, sole custody to one parent with visitation rights for the other, or a hybrid plan somewhere in the middle.
Under Arizona law, custody determinations should not be made on the basis of gender. That is, the court should show no preference to either the mother or the father in custody hearings purely on the parent's sex. The law firm of Bruce D. Brown can help you through your custody and access (visitation) issues, whether it means helping you decide upon an agreement out of court, or representing your best interests inside the courtroom.
You can trust our 30 years of combined experience and the hands-on, compassionate approach we bring to family law. Contact our firm by e-mail or by telephone at 602-639-4574 for a consultation.
