Divorce Lawyers
in Phoenix, Arizona

Uncontested and Contested Divorce

An uncontested divorce means both spouses agree on every issue, including how assets are divided and child custody. Uncontested divorces are much faster and less expensive than contested divorces. We can help you document the divorce agreement properly so it holds up in court.

For contested cases, a divorce litigation attorney becomes essential, especially when negotiations break down and your case heads to court. Our divorce litigation attorneys represent your interests through every stage, including trial (if it comes to that).

Property and Debt Division

Dividing a house or a business requires more than basic math. We work to identify all marital assets, trace what’s separate and what’s common property, and reach a property division that’s legally sound and fair to you.

Legal Decision-Making and Parenting Time

Arizona doesn’t use the word “child custody.” The state uses two terms: “Legal decision-making,” which covers who decides about your child’s education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. And “parenting time,” which is the physical schedule. We work toward arrangements that reflect your children’s real needs and protect your rights as a parent.

Child Support

Arizona calculates child support using both parents’ incomes and how much time each parent physically has the kids. If your spouse underreports what they earn, or the parenting time split isn’t properly captured, the monthly child support figure can be much lower than it should.

And because more parenting time means lower payments, that split is often hotly disputed. We go through the income figures and the parenting schedule so that the figure the court sets is accurate.

Spousal Maintenance

When deciding spousal maintenance (also called alimony), Arizona courts look at:

• The length of the marriage
• Each spouse’s earning capacity
• The standard of living during the marriage

We help you build the strongest case for the support you need, or push back on a request that isn’t fair.

Divorce Mediation

Mediation gives you more control than a trial, which can be unpredictable. Our attorneys prepare you for divorce mediation and sit with you through every session. Nothing is signed without us going through it line by line to protect your interests.

High-Net-Worth Divorce

When a marital estate includes businesses, investments, or complex retirement assets, you need attorneys who can work alongside financial experts to get the high-net-worth divorce valuations right. A business valued too low, or retirement accounts divided without the right court orders, can cost you long after the divorce is signed and sealed.

Military divorce

Military divorces can be tricky as they come with additional rules that don’t apply to civilian cases, particularly around pension division and benefits. If you or your spouse is active duty or a veteran, talk to one of our military divorce attorneys before you sign anything.

Same-Sex Divorce

Same-sex couples in Arizona have the same legal rights in divorce as any other married couple. That covers everything from property division to parenting time and spousal maintenance. We represent all families. If you have questions about how Arizona law applies to your situation, our same-sex divorce attorneys can walk you through it.

Uncontested Divorces

An uncontested divorce, where both sides have already worked out all the terms, costs significantly less and wraps up much faster. Filing a standard petition in Maricopa County currently costs $376, plus $287 if your spouse files a formal response.

Couples who agree on everything up front can skip that process entirely and use Arizona’s Summary Consent Decree, which carries a single $331.50 filing fee. Either way, those are the court’s costs only. Attorney fees, if you wish to use one, are separate.

With everything in order, some uncontested cases are finalized within two to four months of filing in Arizona.

Contested Divorces

A contested case can drag on for a year or more and rack up tens of thousands of dollars or more in attorneys’ fees and legal costs. Most Arizona family law attorneys bill hourly, so every disputed motion and every additional hearing adds to the timeline and the bill. The biggest cost driver is conflict, particularly over child custody and complex assets.

A good attorney can help you pick your battles and reduce conflict in a contested divorce. They can identify what’s worth fighting for rather than disputing every little detail. Some issues cost more to litigate than the outcome is worth, and knowing that difference right from the start can save you a lot of money and time.