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TL;DR Failing to pay child support in Arizona is a crime and can lead to a Class VI felony charge. Consequences include wage garnishment, property seizure, license suspension, and contempt charges. The Division of Child Support Services enforces payments and may report non-payment to credit agencies. Parents facing financial hardship can seek a modification…

Attending a child support hearing can be overwhelming, particularly when you are uncertain about the matters the judge will address. Parents often wonder about what questions they ask at a child support hearing so they can be fully prepared. During these proceedings, the court examines each parent’s financial situation, the child’s needs, and any…

Arizona Family Court makes all decisions in the best interests of children, including decisions on child support. The court upholds the belief that all parents have a legal obligation to provide financial support for their children regardless of their marital status. Child support orders for divorced or non-married parents are binding, with significant enforcement…

Fathers have rights in Arizona family court cases, including child custody cases and other family-related legal matters like child support obligations and visitation rights. But unlike mothers, for whom parentage is clear upon childbirth, fathers in Arizona court cases may not have presumptive parenting rights if they are not married to a child’s mother. …

If you’re reading this in the fall or winter seasons, it’s likely that parents all around the country are scurrying about college campuses, attending long information sessions, and collecting stacks of pamphlets. These tasks can be time-consuming, but they pale in comparison to the stress of applying for financial aid. In order to qualify…

Arizona court had jurisdiction to modify Illinois child custody order on Nebraska father’s petition. Statute governing registration of foreign child support orders does not control registration of foreign child custody orders. With petition to modify out-of-state child support order, Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) requires prior registration. But Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and…

We have three changes in Arizona family law to report. Two bills were recently signed into law and the Arizona Child Support Guidelines have been revised. Take a look at what’s new half-way into 2018. New Spousal Maintenance Eligibility Threshold Arizona’s spousal maintenance factors are set forth in ARS § 25-319. For about two…

Child support obligee can contest obligor’s statement of zero child support arrears owed under Arizona Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (AUIFSA) despite failure to file her hearing request within 20 days after receiving notice of obligor’s registration in Arizona of an out-of-state child support order. Tiffany G. Taylor v. Thomas Pandola The Arizona Supreme…

In this post-divorce child support modification case involving an unusual parenting arrangement, combining two separate child support worksheets for three children was not contemplated by the Arizona Child Support Guidelines and resulted in an inflated obligation to the Father. Justin T. Mitton and Candice H. Mitton Father Petitioned for Child Support Modification The parents…

In our March family law newsletter, we offer some special insight into marriage and what makes the legal team at Arizona Law Group tick. Take a look. In Keeping Our Marriage in Peak Condition, attorney Scott David Stewart talks about celebrating an important benchmark in life – his wedding anniversary. Reflecting on what keeps…

Unemployed disabled father ordered to pay child support with line of credit affirmed; and speculative spousal maintenance award vacated in Arizona case summary. Antonella Sherman v. Derek S. Sherman The parties were married in 2001 and had three children. The petition for dissolution of marriage was filed in February 2013. In January 2014, the…

Arizona child support modification case summary. Ann D. Clark v. Richard A. Clark The father petitioned to modify child support following his employment-motivated relocation to New York. Petition granted. The court decreased his monthly obligation, finding father’s relocation was a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. Regarding income tax, father was permitted to claim…

Arizona attorney fee award case summary. Richard Clark v. Ann Clark The children’s mother was awarded her attorney fees in this Arizona post-decree child support modification case. The father petitioned to modify the monthly child support amount, which the court did. But he was also assessed the mother’s attorney fees and costs. Father filed…

Scott Stewart: The question is: are you aware of, or does Arizona have a law that exists, that says that a court can address a child’s extracurricular expenses, and how each parent must pay for those? Jennifer: I don’t believe there is a specific statute that deals with extracurricular activities. I think that there…

A common question our Arizona divorce lawyers hear is, “Do I have to pay child support if we live together?” or “does child support stop if the parents live together?” or “does my boyfriend have to pay child support if we live together?” Child Support With Parents Living Together Scott Stewart: The question is…