A Quick Guide To The Divorce Process
A Quick Guide To The Divorce Process
The divorce lawyers at the Law Office of Daniel Hutto can help you understand and navigate the divorce process. From beginning to end, here is a breakdown of the 9 phases of a divorce.
1. Submitting a Dissolution Petition
The petition for dissolution is the initial step toward obtaining a divorce. People must file their dissolution applications with the court that has jurisdiction over the case, according to A.R.S. 25-311.
2. Process Serving and Reaction
The court will send you a notice and summons to answer when you submit your petition and other papers. You must serve your spouse with copies of the petition, summons, and any other legal documents filed in the case. Your spouse will be referred to as the respondent and you as the petitioner. You have the option of hiring a private process server or having your spouse served by the sheriff's department. h2>3. Temporary InjunctionsPeople may request temporary orders or preliminary injunctions when filing divorce petitions under A.R.S. 25-315. Temporary orders can be requested by either party, including responders. These orders spell out how various issues will be addressed while the divorce is proceeding.
4. The Investigation Procedure
The divorce case will proceed to the discovery phase when the petition and response have been submitted. You and your spouse have the right to receive information about your assets and other essential aspects of your case from each other.
5. Agreeing on cheval
Except in circumstances of domestic violence, drug or alcohol addiction, child abuse, or those who may be concealing assets, it is frequently preferable to try to settle a divorce dispute by negotiation. People who successfully negotiate divorce settlements are often happier than those who let the judge make the decisions.
6. Divorce Case
If you and your spouse are unable to reach an agreement, your divorce case will go to a divorce trial. Each of you will have the opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses, give testimony, and submit exhibits at your trial. You and your spouse will almost certainly be called to testify and face cross-examination by the opposing counsel.
7. Child Custody and Divorce
If you and your spouse have minor children, you must submit a petition for dissolution with minor children. You and your husband will need to work up a parenting plan in this type of divorce. If you can't agree, you'll each have to submit a parenting plan to the court.
8. Child Support Determination
Child support is another factor to consider in a divorce in Arizona involving children. Both parents are required to financially contribute to their child's upbringing under A.R.S. 25-501. Child support guidelines exist in Arizona for judges to utilize when deciding how much money to order. This can make the amount of child support you owe or receive more predictable.
9. Keeping Your Children's Best Interests in Mind
If you and your spouse can't agree on child custody, the court will apply the elements described in A.R.S. 25-403's best interests of the child criterion to make a decision. Whether or not you go to trial on your child custody issues, you should act in a way that minimizes emotional injury to your children during and after your divorce.
Do you have any concerns about the divorce procedure?
Most people find getting divorced difficult. Contact the Law Office of Daniel Hutto for assistance and guidance if you wish to end your marriage or have been served with a petition for divorce. Call us today at (602) 536-7878 for a one-on-one consultation with one of our experience family law attorneys.