Sep 12, 2025 | Family Law, Child Custody
Families sometimes face situations where waiting for a standard custody hearing could place a child at serious risk. In those cases, Arizona law provides a way for parents or guardians to request immediate protection through an emergency custody petition. These petitions allow the court to step in quickly, sometimes even issuing an order without notice to the other parent if the danger of harm is urgent.
Sep 8, 2025 | Family Law, Child Custody
When the Department of Child Safety becomes involved in a family matter, grandparents are often the first people to step forward to protect the child’s safety. If CPS or DCS decides to remove a child from the home due to allegations of abuse or neglect, grandparents may wonder whether they can obtain temporary custody during the investigation.
Aug 22, 2025 | Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support
Under Arizona law, medical decisions fall under the umbrella of legal decision-making. That means the parent or parents with the right to make decisions for a child are responsible for health-related matters. If both parents share this authority, but cannot agree, the court may intervene in accordance with ARS § 25-403 to determine the child’s best interests when parents with joint legal decision-making authority cannot agree on medical treatment.
Aug 1, 2025 | Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support
When you are facing criminal charges in Arizona, appearing in court is not optional. Missing a scheduled court date can lead to much more than a delay in your case. Whether the charge involves a misdemeanor or felony, failing to appear in court can result in a bench warrant, additional criminal charges, and in many cases, jail time.
Understanding the consequences of failing to appear in court and how a criminal defense lawyer can help you respond is critical to protecting your freedom. This article will help you understand the legal consequences, what happens if you fail to appear in court, and how to seek the best possible outcome.
Jul 21, 2025 | Family Law, Child Custody, Divorce Law
When families separate, it’s not just the parents and children whose lives change—siblings often feel the impact too. In many Arizona child custody cases, a common question arises: do siblings have legal rights to remain together, and can a judge separate them? Arizona law focuses heavily on the “best interests of the child,” and this includes maintaining healthy sibling relationships when possible. However, the courts also look at each child individually, especially if their circumstances, ages, or parental attachments differ.
Jun 26, 2025 | Child Custody, Family Law
When most people hear “child custody,” they picture a custody case involving a biological parent. But in the state of Arizona, the law recognizes that sometimes other relatives may be better suited to care for a child. When a parent cannot provide proper care, a grandparent, aunt, uncle, adult sibling, or another relative may petition the court to obtain custody of a child.