Originally published 11/26/2025 We meet clients during some of the most difficult and emotional chapters of their lives—moments filled with uncertainty, transition, and change. Yet even in these challenging times, one powerful tool consistently helps families move forward with clarity and resilience: gratitude . Gratitude doesn’t ignore hardship; it enhances the inner strength that often goes unnoticed and shines a light on what matters most in challenging times—supportive re

Originally posted 10/29/2025 What do I do if I don’t feel safe in my relationship? What can you do if you are worried about a loved one who is experiencing abuse? According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline “Abusive relationships are extremely complex situations, and it takes a lot of courage to leave. Abuse is about power and control. When a survivor leaves their abusive relationship, they threaten the power and control their partner has established over the survivor

Originally published 10/21/2025 What is an Order of Protection? How can I get one? Domestic violence includes child abuse, stalking, harassment, disorderly conduct, interference in judicial proceedings, criminal damage or trespass, sexual assault, kidnapping or custodial interference, assault, etc., as defined in Arizona Revised Statute (“A.R.S.”) 13-3601. If you are in a relationship with a person who has committed an act of domestic violence, one of the first things you wan

Originally published 10/13/2025 Does domestic violence impact the divorce process? If so, how? In short – Yes, Domestic Violence can impact the divorce process. How it impacts divorce proceedings depends on individual circumstances and specific findings by the Court. For example, if the Court determines that there is a significant act of domestic violence or a significant history of domestic violence, the Court is potentially precluded from awarding the abusing parent joint l

Originally published 10/7/2025 What does domestic violence look like? Where can I find help and resources for domestic violence? The Power and Control Wheel* was created by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project to demonstrate various tactics used by abusers – physical, emotional, sexual, financial, etc. – to dominate their partners. It highlights abusive patterns and illustrates that these actions are intentional, not random. ·         Coercion and Threats ·         Intimid

Originally published 10/02/2025 How can I protect my child from an abusive parent? If you believe your child is at risk of harm from the other parent, protecting your child is a top priority. Here are some things to keep in mind: 1.      Document any abuse or concerning behavior: Keep detailed records of any incidents, including dates, times, and witnesses. Make police reports. 2.      Seek a restraining order: If necessary, seek a restraining order to protect you and your ch

Originally published 09/26/2025 September is National Suicide Awareness Month. Suicide is preventable if we notice and understand the signs, both in ourselves and in others. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, here are some resources that can help today: Arizona-Specific Resources 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 (call or text 24/7) or live chat at  https://988lifeline.org/chat/   Arizona Crisis line/Mobile Crisis Teams: 1-844

Originally published 09/11/2025 September is National Suicide Prevention Month. No one wants to think they will be impacted by suicide, but suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. [1] Data shows adolescents who have divorced parents are more likely to attempt suicide than those whose parents stay married. [2] According to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, adolescents, ages 12-17, in the United States experienced the following: 10.1% had serio

Originally published 02/27/2023 Going into a divorce when your spouse is the primary earner in the family is difficult and scary, but there are a few things you should do in preparation of a divorce. Credit Card : Make sure you have access to a credit card that your spouse cannot close. Emergency funds : Try to make sure you have access to emergency funds to pay your necessary expenses. Once the papers are filed, there is a strong possibility that your spouse will become more

Originally published 10/05/2023 October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic Violence is a serious issue and, unfortunately, it is not uncommon for domestic violence issues to be present in divorce cases. Whether you are seeking a divorce or not, when you are experiencing domestic violence, the first thing to consider is your safety, which is even more important when you have children. One resource is www.Phoenix.gov/law/victims/domestic-violence/resources

Originally published on 07/18/2023 For years, litigants and attorneys alike have struggled with spousal maintenance. The struggle, historically, has been due to the unpredictability of applying A.R.S. §25-319, the statute outlining an award for spousal maintenance. As a reminder, spousal maintenance is a two-part test. Part one is qualification, part two is determination. Under Section A , you must show you qualify for an award of spousal maintenance. You can show this by pro

Originally published 05/10/2023 When a marriage is no longer working, the couple may choose to dissolve the marriage through divorce. Divorce can be a stressful and emotionally charged process, leading to bitter disputes and costly legal battles. Alternative to a legal-battle approach, seeking mediation and compromise can offer many benefits to the divorce process. 1. Mediation allows the couple to maintain control over the outcome of their divorce. In a court proceeding, a j

Originally published 03/15/2023 Arizona is a community property state. What does that mean? Anyone considering a divorce in Arizona should understand the basics of how community property is defined. A.R.S. 25-211(A) provides “All property acquired by either husband or wife during the marriage is the community property of the husband and wife except for property that is (1) acquired by gift, devise, or descent; (2) acquired after service of a petition for dissolution of marria

Originally published 03/06/2023 If you are divorcing and you share a home (community property) with your ex, there are many things to consider. For example, one party may want to stay in the home and not move or find a new place to live. This can only happen if:   1) The person that wants to stay in the home is able to refinance and get the other party off the mortgage loan, OR 2) Both parties agree to stay on the mortgage.    However, there can be problems with each of these

Originally published on 02/15/2023. Divorce is scary for everyone, whether you are the one filing for divorce or the one being told you are getting divorced. After you get over the initial impact of the decision or news you need to start taking action. Here are seven things you need to do immediately before filing for divorce to help protect yourself going forward:   1.       Joint and Separate Bank Accounts: First, you should verify the funds in your joint and separate acco