Best Divorce Lawyers Mesa, AZ Of 2024 – Forbes Advisor

• Brad Crider
• Barry C. Dickerson
• Joshua R. Edwards
• Steven M. Ellsworth
• Steven H. Everts
• Jami M. Goldman
• Glenn D. Halterman
• Scott Rowley
• J Kyle Scoresby
• Billie Tarascio

Why They Made Our List

Brad Crider represents individuals and families facing legal challenges in family law matters such as divorce and child custody determinations. His background in business administration allows him to efficiently handle business valuations and complex division of assets and debts. He currently serves as Superior Court judge pro tempore in Maricopa County.

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Why They Made Our List

Barry C. Dickerson has practiced family law for almost 50 years. He is certified by the State Bar of Arizona as a specialist in family law. Dickerson handles divorce and child custody, including relocation and interstate custody issues under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). He also handles guardianships and conservatorships for minors and adults.

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• Named a 10 Best by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
• Named a Top 40 Lawyer Under 40 by the American Society of Legal Advocates
• Member of the Arizona Association of Family Law Attorneys

Why They Made Our List

Steven M. Ellsworth has dedicated his career solely to the practice of family law, including divorce, child custody and support, adoption, grandparents’ rights and other family law issues. He has represented hundreds of clients and can handle any aspect of family law, including trials, appeals and alternative dispute resolution. Ellsworth frequently presents at continuing legal education courses in family law. He is also a member of the Airline Owners and Pilots Association.

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Why They Made Our List

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Why They Made Our List

Early in her legal career, Jami M. Goldman served as a clerk at the attorney general’s office in Michigan and the Maricopa County Superior Court. Now a dedicated family law attorney, she handles divorce and legal separation, child support and custody and other family law matters. Goldman is co-chair of the Arizona Jewish Lawyers Association.

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Why They Made Our List

Certified as a family law specialist by the State Bar of Arizona, Glenn Halterman has been practicing law for more than two decades. Previously a prosecuting attorney in Utah, he now helps individuals and families in Mesa with family law matters, including divorce, legal separation, child and spousal support, asset division and other issues.

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Why They Made Our List

Scott Rowley focuses on litigating high-conflict family law cases, including those involving multimillion-dollar assets. He handles divorces, business valuations, complex spousal maintenance, parental alienation, drug and alcohol cases, domestic violence and other matters. He serves as a court-appointed parenting coordinator in cases where parents cannot resolve disputes and need an unbiased party to devise custodial orders.

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Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School

Why They Made Our List

Kyle Scoresby has more than 30 years of experience practicing family law. He handles cases of all types, including divorce, legal separation, child support, spousal maintenance, paternity and more.

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Why They Made Our List

Billie Tarascio exclusively practices divorce and family law. Among other cases, she handles complex custody and property division issues. Recognizing her work, the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys named her one of the 10 Best Client Satisfaction Attorneys. She previously worked at the nonprofit A Family for Every Child.

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Notable Facts and Recognitions

If you’re getting divorced in Mesa, understanding Arizona’s laws and requirements can be crucial for ensuring a smooth divorce process. Read on to discover the necessary residency requirements, how to file for divorce and the various types of marriage dissolutions available in the state.

Arizona Divorce Requirements

Before you can file for divorce in Arizona, you or your spouse must have lived in the state for 90 days or more. However, Arizona does not require a period of separation before you can file, meaning you can start the process immediately, provided you meet the residency requirement.

To file for divorce, you must complete several documents, including a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The official divorce documents outline the details of the divorce arrangements, including asset division, child custody and child or spousal support.

Types of Divorce and Separation in Arizona

Arizona allows for no-fault divorces, meaning you can simply cite irreconcilable differences to be granted the right to divorce. In addition to a standard divorce, the state allows for various types of separations and marriage dissolutions:

• Legal separation. In Arizona, legal separation allows you to live apart from your spouse while remaining legally married. Like divorce, legal separation can address issues such as property division, child custody and support.
• Marriage annulment. An annulment declares the marriage null and void as if it never existed. In Arizona, you can get an annulment if fraud, a blood relationship, bigamy, incapacity, coercion or other grounds invalidate the marriage.
• Covenant marriage divorce. Couples in a covenant marriage in Arizona must prove wrongdoing of a spouse or other reasons to be granted a divorce, such as adultery, abuse, abandonment or a serious criminal conviction. Physical separation of two years, legal separation of one year and agreement to divorce are also grounds for annulment.
• Summary consent decree. Summary dissolution is a simplified divorce that can be faster and involves less paperwork than a standard divorce. It’s available for couples who don’t have a covenant marriage and agree on all aspects of their divorce terms. If the couple has children, they must have lived in the state for six months.

Child Custody, Support and Visitation in Arizona

Arizona distinguishes between legal and physical custody. The parent awarded legal custody can make important decisions regarding the child, such as those involving education, religious affiliation, healthcare and more. The parent awarded physical custody manages the child’s day-to-day care. Child custody may be joint or sole, depending on the child’s best interests and the parents’ circumstances.

Child support in Arizona is calculated using various factors such as both parents’ income, the child’s age, the cost of health insurance and daycare and others.

In most cases, the noncustodial parent is entitled to reasonable visitation or parenting time in Arizona. Parents are usually free to make visitation arrangements without involving the court unless they disagree. When a court decides on parenting time, it will consider factors such as the child’s relationship with each parent and the mental and physical health of all parties.

Property Division in Arizona

Arizona follows the principle of community property, meaning any assets and debts acquired during your marriage are divided roughly equally when divorcing. For example, community property can include the family home, vehicles and retirement accounts. However, property owned by you or your spouse before the marriage, in addition to gifts and inheritances obtained during marriage, is typically considered separate property.

In awarding spousal support, an Arizona court may consider factors such as the length of your marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity and the standard of living. For example, if one spouse gave up their career to raise children, a court may award support to allow the spouse to maintain their standard of living while reestablishing their career. In Arizona, long-term support is usually reserved for extreme cases where one spouse needs indefinite assistance.

Filing and Serving Your Divorce Papers

Filing for divorce may feel overwhelming. However, knowing which documents to complete and how to file them in Mesa can considerably smooth out the process. First, complete the necessary forms, such as the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Children or the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage Without Children and the Summons. Provide accurate and detailed information about your marriage, property and any involved children.

After completing the divorce documents, file them, together with the $349 fee, with the clerk of the Maricopa Superior Court. The next and vital step is serving the divorce papers to your spouse. You have several options for serving the papers in Maricopa County, including through a process server, sheriff or certified mail.

Finalizing Your Divorce

Once you have filed the petition and served your spouse, Arizona requires a 60-day waiting period before your divorce is final. If both spouses agree on all divorce terms, you can submit a consent decree to be signed and finalized by a judge without a hearing.

However, a hearing is required if you and your spouse cannot agree on important issues, such as child custody and support, property division or alimony. If you cannot resolve your disputes in court hearings, a trial may be necessary. In a divorce trial, both you and your spouse present your cases, and the judge makes the final decisions. The divorce is finalized when the judge signs the divorce decree.

If you have an uncontested divorce and you and your spouse agree on all issues, you could handle the divorce without an attorney. However, if your divorce is acrimonious or you cannot agree on all terms with your spouse, hiring a lawyer can be crucial to protect your rights. Here’s how a divorce attorney can help:

• Filing divorce papers. Divorce involves a significant amount of paperwork that can be tricky to complete. An attorney can answer your questions and ensure the divorce paperwork is correctly completed and filed.
• Negotiation. Your attorney will negotiate with your spouse or their legal representative regarding contentious issues, such as asset division and child support. They will have your best interests in mind and can ensure you’re treated fairly.
• Court representation. If your divorce goes to trial, your attorney can present your case powerfully. They will handle all court procedures and paperwork, reducing stress and overwhelm.

Having a lot on your plate is natural when going through a divorce. However, spending some time and effort to find an excellent divorce lawyer can be vital for a successful outcome. Here’s what to look for:

• Specialization. Hire a family law attorney with a strong track record in handling divorces. They should also have solid courtroom experience in case your divorce goes to trial.
• Reputation. Research reviews to determine the lawyer’s reputation and client satisfaction rate. Look for positive feedback from past clients and recommendations from peers.
• Credentials. Attorneys who have received awards and recognitions or can show impressive credentials, such as a state bar certification in family law, can be an excellent choice.
• Personality. Divorce can be emotionally draining. Working with a compassionate and supportive attorney can be essential when you’re going through one of the most challenging times in your life.

Forbes Advisor considered many factors to determine the best personal injury lawyers in Mesa of 2024. Its mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.

Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:

• Legal experience
• Special licenses and certifications
• Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
• Legal thought leadership
• Education and employment background
• Scholarly lectures and writings
• Awards and honors

Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. However, this information should not be considered comprehensive. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.

Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.

One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.