Child and spousal support – or the absence thereof – shouldn’t add insult to injury. Achieving a fair and equitable divorce requires strong, artful negotiation from skilled lawyers who understand Arizona spousal support law and who are dedicated to protecting and advancing your interests. Whether at the negotiating table or at the counsel table in court, Nirenstein Garnice Soderquist PLC’s attorneys will champion your rights.
Spousal Support
Under Arizona law, in a divorce or legal separation case, the court is authorized to order spousal support (sometimes called spousal maintenance or alimony). Either spouse can be required to pay support.
The separating or divorcing spouses may agree in writing as to the amount and frequency spousal maintenance. and submit it to the court. If a judge thinks the agreement is not unfair, it may be made part of the binding court decree. In the absence of an agreement, the Arizona family court has the authority to award spousal maintenance in an amount and for periods of time that it believes is fair in all the circumstances. The court will not take into account marital misconduct, but it will consider all relevant factors.
Child Support
Children have rights in a divorce, too. Achieving a fair and equitable level of support to accommodate their needs is your goal – and ours, too. Throughout the process it’s important to never lose sight of the need to maintain your ability to collaborate with the other parent, now and throughout your children’s lives.
Generally, parents come to an agreed amount based upon the Arizona child support guidelines, which provide detailed instructions on calculating child support. The state of Arizona also provides child support calculators, based on the guidelines, to help families determine appropriate child support amounts. Child support is calculated based upon each parent’s income, the time each parent spends with the child or children, and certain other expenditures made on the child or children’s behalf. When child support is not paid as ordered, a judge has the authority to hold the parent with child support obligations in contempt of court for non-payment.
Contact Us:
For more information about our services, we invite you to contact us or call the firm at (480) 556-5800.