Tucson Family Law

Family law encompasses a variety of legal issues.  It typically describes issues that deal with family-related matters and domestic relations, including: marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships; adoption and surrogacy; the termination of relationships and ancillary matters, like divorce, annulment, property settlements, spousal maintenance (typically termed alimony), legal decision making for children (child custody), parenting time (visitation) and child support.  It also deals with parenting issues with unmarried parties or “special paternity cases.”

Family law varies from state to state.  Among others, there is a difference between “community property” states and “non community property” states with regard to division of assets in a divorce.  What most people do not know is that procedures vary greatly even from county to county.  Requirements as to what paperwork that is included with each family law filing differs from Maricopa county to Pima county to Santa Cruz county etc.  These are called “local rules.”  Many of the bigger counties have checklists for people looking to file each action for themselves.  The problem these people often run into presents itself when the two parties disagree on one point or another, at which point the checklist offers the belated suggestion, “you should seek the advice of an attorney.”  In fact it is best to consult an attorney before any action is filed that knows the intricacies of filing in that particular state and in that particular county.

In many cases the outcome of a family law issue can impact the rest of that individual’s life.  Many clients enter my office with final decrees that have devastated them and they want to know what they can do about it.  In some cases, such as those in which a decree has declared an issue such as spousal maintenance “non-modifiable” it is extremely hard to reverse.  The lesson behind this blog is that Tucson family law is a unique jurisdiction with its own legal intricacies. You need an attorney who is both experienced and familiar with the potential pitfalls and entanglements that present themselves along the way.

My number one recommendation is call a family law attorney for a consultation. Specifically, I’d recommend you call me. Lets sit down together and discuss your unique case and your unique needs. It costs you nothing, and you have a lot to gain. For a free consultation with an experienced family law attorney call me, Riisa Petersen at Petersen Law Firm PLLC at 520-631-3286.

Information provided should not be construed as legal advice nor the formation of an attorney/client relationship