Divorce is undoubtedly one of the most challenging and emotionally draining situations a person can face. It’s a process that not only signifies the end of a partnership but also requires significant legal knowledge to navigate successfully. If you’re considering a divorce in the state of Arizona, working with an experienced divorce attorney is essential. Contact Stewart Law Firm today to schedule a consultation with a family law attorney in Chandler.
Why Hire Stewart Law Group If You Need Help With Divorce
Going through a divorce can be one of the most emotionally draining experiences of your life. It’s a time when you need reliable guidance, experience, and support to navigate the legal complexities and achieve the best possible outcome for you and your children. Here’s why you should work with us during this time:
- We provide the highest quality representation to our clients, ensuring that we are with you every step of the way. Our experienced and compassionate attorneys will carefully guide you through the legal process, helping you make substantive plans for a better tomorrow.
- We understand that every divorce case is unique, and your representation should be too. There’s no room for boilerplate representation here; our attorneys take the time to thoroughly understand your specific legal situation and develop a customized strategy that puts your needs and interests first.
- Cost is an inevitable concern when hiring a divorce attorney, and it’s important to understand what you’re paying for – that’s why Stewart Law Group offers a transparent rate structure. With our clear and upfront pricing, you’ll know exactly what to expect in terms of legal expenses at each and every step of the process.
How a Lawyer Can Help You With Divorce
If you’re going through a divorce, it can feel overwhelming to decide how best to move forward. Fortunately, a lawyer can help. Here’s how:
- Understand Your State’s Divorce Laws: It is important to understand their state’s laws regarding family law issues such as property division, child custody, and alimony payments. A lawyer will know these laws and will be able to explain them to you.
- Gather Essential Details: A lawyer will ask all the important questions regarding your legal rights and obligations when it comes to things like assets, debt, or alimony payments so they can plan your case appropriately.
- Negotiation: A skilled divorce attorney can negotiate on your behalf, whether it’s in the courtroom or through mediation sessions. Their expertise in negotiation can help you reach a fair settlement faster and with less stress.
Issues to Consider During Divorce
Divorce proceedings involve numerous complex issues, which can be overwhelming and confusing to navigate on your own. For example, a Chandler child custody lawyer can help navigate a potential custody case. Divorce attorneys have extensive experience in dealing with all aspects of divorce, including:
- Property Division
- Custody and Parenting Time
- Child Support
- Spousal Maintenance
Annulment vs. Divorce: The Basic Differences
Although annulment and divorce may seem similar in that they involve the dissolution of a marriage, there’s a crucial distinction between the two:
- Annulment declares that no valid marriage existed to begin with essentially erasing any record of the union taking place.
- Divorce, on the other hand, terminates a legitimate and recognized marriage between two individuals.
This distinction has a significant impact on how the processes are carried out, and the outcome for the individuals involved.
The primary reason someone might pursue an annulment in Arizona is if they believe their marriage was not valid to begin with. Some common reasons for declaring a marriage invalid include:
- One or both spouses were already married at the time of the union (bigamy)
- The spouses are closely related by blood (incest)
- One spouse was under the legal age to marry
- The marriage was entered into fraudulently (e.g., one spouse hid critical information to secure the marriage)
If an annulment is granted, it’s as if the marriage never took place. Even a lengthy marriage of many years can be annulled if it meets one of these criteria:
“Superior courts may dissolve a marriage, and may adjudge a marriage to be null and void when the cause alleged constitutes an impediment rendering the marriage void.”
Meeting Arizona’s Divorce Requirements
The first step in filing for divorce in Arizona involves meeting specific residency requirements. The state mandates that either you or your spouse must have lived in Arizona for a minimum of 90 days before filing for divorce. If one spouse is an active member of the military and stationed in Arizona, then they must have been stationed here for 90 days prior to filing paperwork.
Service of Process and Responding to Petitions
Before your case can advance, you’ll need to properly serve your spouse with copies of the divorce petition and summons. Service of process ensures both parties are aware and given the opportunity to respond to the impending divorce. Once served, the other party must respond within 20 days if they are in Arizona or 30 days if service is out-of-state.
Uncontested Divorce vs. Contested Divorce
An uncontested divorce in Chandler can streamline the process, as it requires divorcing spouses to agree on all matters in writing. This includes spousal maintenance, asset division, parenting time, legal decision-making authority, and child support obligations. By coming to a mutual agreement on these issues, you can avoid a prolonged legal battle and minimize the impact on your emotional well-being and finances.
However, if you and your spouse cannot reach an agreement on these matters, the divorce is considered contested and proceeds through the phases of litigation. This can result in a more complicated and time-consuming process, highlighting the importance of having a knowledgeable divorce attorney by your side.
Contact Stewart Law Group To Schedule a Consultation
If you’re facing a divorce in Arizona, don’t navigate this complex process alone. Reach out to Stewart Law Group and find a path to a brighter, more stable future for you and your family. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.