Do I Need to Go to Court to Resolve My Family Dispute?
Fortunately, not all divorce and other family legal disputes involve the traditional courtroom scene, which can be intensely stressful, time-consuming, and costly. For example, if you and your spouse can come to terms on all divorce-related issues – such as alimony, child support, child custody, and property division – you will not need to appear before a judge. Being an "uncontested divorce," you and your spouse would formulate a written agreement together, sign it, and send it to the court for approval.
However, if there are matters that you cannot agree on, you will need to attend court to have a judge decide for you. This is known as a “contested divorce.” While an uncontested divorce can usually be completed in 90 to 120 days, contested divorces can take one to two years. There are several additional advantages of an uncontested divorce, including that it allows you and your spouse to make the final decisions, and it usually costs less than divorce litigation. Contact our legal team today for advice about whether you should try to resolve your matter outside the courtroom.
Establishing Paternity in Tucson
Paternity simply means fatherhood. Establishing paternity involves a court or government agency officially declaring who a child’s father is. In Arizona, the easiest way to establish paternity is for the mother and the father to sign an Acknowledgement of Paternity form. When this form is submitted to and approved by the court, the man who signs the form will be the child’s legal father.
If, however, the mother and alleged father do not agree, either of them can initiate a court case to establish paternity. This proceeding can also be started by the child’s guardian/custodian or a government agency that is providing the child with welfare and health insurance benefits. The court has the authority to order genetic testing. Based on the test results, paternity can be established or denied. If paternity is established, the court can determine a parenting plan that is in the best interest of the child, and can even order one parent to pay child support.
Arizona Family Violence & Abuse Protection
Life in the home is not always harmonious. It's not unusual for heated arguments to arise on occasion. However, when things get out of hand, such as when one person physically harms another, there are laws in place to protect the victims. At the Law Office of Christopher M. Jeffrey, we help those who are seeking orders of protection, as well as those who have been unjustly served. Whether you need a restraining order or wish to challenge the injunction against you, depend on our family law attorney for the legal representation you deserve.
Are you in the midst of a family legal dispute? Call (520) 394-8008 today to discuss your rights and options with our Tucson family law attorney.
