Divorce and Separation

When It’s Time

When you come to the decision that your marriage cannot continue in its current state, confusion about the future can become overwhelming. Well-meaning friends and family will share their experiences and provide advice. However, just as every person is unique, so is every divorce. You owe it to yourself to consult with a professional about the issues that are specific to your family. Arm yourself with knowledge about the process of divorce or legal separation, the range of potential outcomes for your finances, how to address the best interests of your children, and how to plan for your future. When you know what to expect, you can make informed decisions about your own next best life.

When a petition for dissolution or legal separation is filed and served, the “community” terminates under Arizona law.  At the same time, a “Preliminary Injunction” is mandatorily issued by the court which both parties must follow.  This preliminary injunction is an order of the court and contains very specific rules.  Some of these rules relate to maintaining insurance policies, removing children from the state, and use of community assets.  Do’s and don’ts in light of the preliminary injunction for your specific case should be discussed with an attorney.

After a divorce or legal separation is filed, one of the next steps is to gather information about your family’s assets, debts, incomes and expenses.  This information will be reviewed by your attorney and exchanged with your spouse so that everyone has a clear picture of the issues that will need to be addressed.

Once all discovery and disclosure has been completed and both parties feel properly advised about the issues, the parties may proceed to finalizing their case through any number of approaches including litigation, arbitration, collaboration, and mediation.  Please visit Our Services to learn more about those methods.