Stewart Law Group
3115 S. Price Rd Ste 111
Chandler AZ 85248
Phone: 480-813-4800
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Chandler office map and directions
Are you looking for a top-notch divorce and family lawyer near you? Family and divorce attorney Amy Dohrendorf with the Stewart Law Group has been assisting clients from Chandler, Arizona for over a decade, at our South Price Road office, conveniently located near Sunset Shores Park.
Combined, our divorce attorneys have more than 100 years of legal experience (including family law) representing clients in various practice areas. Our main focus is on family law, divorce, and child custody representation, but we also have expertise in other practice areas. When you need legal representation for your family, you deserve the best. Family law and divorce matters should always be represented by experienced family law attorneys. Don’t hesitate to contact our Chandler office if you are in need of divorce counsel.
Do you know what must be proved to prevail in your case, as the petitioner or, alternatively, as the responding party or defendant? Do you understand what the standard of proof by which exhibits, testimony, and other relevant evidence must persuade the judge in order for you to prevail? Although there are a few exceptions, generally:
Appreciating the ease or difficulty of proving your case is an important aspect of legal strategy, and your family deserves the best representation possible. Another important consideration is which court will have jurisdiction to hear and decide, for example, the petition for dissolution of marriage, modification of child support, the appointment of a conservator for the vulnerable adult, or contentious probate litigation matter.
Every client’s legal concerns involve unique circumstances. Understanding the depth of any legal issue being addressed, having substantial courtroom experience litigating cases, and preparing successful legal stratagems are just some of the things for which our Chandler legal team of family and divorce attorneys is known. We go above and beyond to bring our clients the best possible results in the case, whether it be a civil family law or probate action, or defense against criminal prosecution.
You may already know that Arizona is a no-fault divorce state. The only grounds in a no-fault divorce are that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Neither spouse is required to prove marital misconduct (adultery, for example, or abandonment) for the court to dissolve the marriage. If one party wants a divorce and the spouses do not reconcile, then the Superior Court Judge will dissolve their marriage. Marital misconduct can have an impact on child custody factors, though. And when coupled with marital waste, marital fault may influence property division factors, too.
Along with only a handful of other states, Arizona allows for the creation of a covenant marriage. In the dissolution of a covenant marriage (unless the spouses are in agreement in wanting the divorce), fault-based grounds must be alleged and proved before the divorce can be granted.
For some couples, an alternative to divorce might be annulment, to void the marriage. Another alternative is a decree of legal separation which does not dissolve the marriage but does determine the same issues raised in a divorce. These possibilities should be discussed with an experienced attorney near you.
Working toward a divorce settlement by negotiating a separation agreement with the assistance of your divorce attorney is almost always an efficient and cost-effective process that can save on attorney fees. There are times, however, when litigation and trial are necessary to resolve outstanding issues. Our Chandler divorce attorneys will discuss the legal issues presented in your case, in light of your goals, and the position of your spouse on those issues. We always recommend the strategy best-suited to protecting your rights and achieving your goals.
With every family law petition involving minor children – including cases following paternity establishment between unwed parents – a parenting plan in the best interests of the child will be required. And unless the parents agree on a plan, they may be ordered to give mediation a fair try. In every case, child custody will be ordered with a determination of legal decision-making (often shared) and scheduled parenting time.
Find more information concerning family law:
Of course, child support will also be ordered. Although the Arizona Child Support Guidelines are used to calculate child support obligations, some factors can be negotiated. The court does have some discretion to depart from the Guidelines by increasing or decreasing the monthly support amount, depending upon the circumstances. It could include money to fund a college trust account or to cover the cost of summer camp. An experienced divorce attorney in your area, familiar with the assigned judge’s proclivities can be a real asset.
At the initial consultation, legal alternatives are discussed with your family attorney so that the client can make an informed decision. Preparing for court proceedings, developing legal arguments, strategizing the case, and litigating at trial, these are the things we routinely do at the Stewart Law Group. And we do them well.
Generally, court proceedings for our family law and divorce clients, including those seeking a military divorce, will be heard in the Superior Court in one of Arizona’s 15 counties. Chandler parents who are involved in a dispute over child relocation, for instance, may have their petitions heard in the Superior Court in Maricopa County.
When you have a family law matter and in need of representation in the Chandler area, here at Stewart Law Group, we are always prepared for every possible twist and turn the proceedings may take. Each of us takes our professional responsibilities to heart, including the promise to zealously represent our clients. Our job is to protect each client’s legal rights and obtain the best possible results. Just as we will for you if we accept the case.
Orders of protection and injunctions against harassment (OOP and IAH, respectively) may be obtained from a judge of the Chandler Municipal Court. In a pre-divorce situation where there is a threat of domestic violence, for example, one spouse (the victim) may obtain an OOP to keep the other spouse away and prohibit contact and communication. Violating the OOP can result in immediate arrest by Chandler police or other law enforcement.
In a vulnerable adult situation, for instance, an OOP may be obtained to keep an abusive person from contacting an elderly victim and from visiting that victim’s residence.
If you, or someone you care about, live in or near the Chandler area and need to speak with an understanding professional about divorce and family law matters, then call us at 480-813-4800 to schedule a confidential consultation with an attorney. You can also email us with a question, too. We will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible with no strings attached. If you have a question, contact us and get your question answered by an experienced Arizona family law attorney serving Maricopa County, Pinal County, and all of Arizona. Here at Stewart Law Group, we expect nothing but the best for our clients, and will work tirelessly to ensure they get the best possible outcome for their case.
“Amy Dohrendorf at Stewart Law Group guided me through the difficult divorce process and we arrived at a great result. Amy listened attentively to my details, helped me see the legal view, and led me on a winning strategy focused on resolving critical issues. Amy was pleasant to work with, a great communicator, and a compassionate guide; Stewart Law group is efficient and organized with a clear map of the steps and transparent online billing. I strongly recommend you consider Amy and her team to secure your best possible outcome.”
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Duane Enger
Read more of our 49+ reviews on Google!
“When I walked into [SLG] … I was put at ease! Starting with [my case manager who] explained the process of my case in a way that I could understand, to my attorney Amy [Dohrendorf], who took me step-by-step at what was the best action to take for my case. I was always informed … and every time I called with a question [my case manager] answered the phone and was able to help me or find the help I needed….”
-R.A., Former Client
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