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Attorney Markus Risinger Argues Before Arizona Supreme Court

Attorney Markus Risinger Argues Before Arizona Supreme Court - Arizona law firm in Mesa

On October 9, 2025, our firm’s Markus Risinger presented oral arguments before the Arizona Supreme Court in Gelvin v. Gelvin, a case addressing an important question of attorney-client privilege.   The case concerns whether the attorney-client privilege extends to communications between an attorney and a third party, regardless of the purpose of those communications and […]

How Flagstaff’s High Cost of Living Shapes Spousal Support Under A.R.S. § 25-319

How Flagstaff’s High Cost of Living Shapes Spousal Support Under A.R.S. § ... - Arizona dissolution proceedings in Tempe

By Ryan T. McGuire Does your city of residence impact your divorce? You might assume it does not matter. Divorce is primarily governed by state law, so any city within the state should yield the same result. But divorce often hinges on money, and in high-cost cities like Flagstaff, financial realities can significantly shape outcomes. […]

Who’s a Mandatory Reporter, Anyway? Part 2: Doe v. Warr and Broader Liability

Who's a Mandatory Reporter, Anyway? Part 2: Doe v. Warr and Broader Liability - family law representation in Arizona in Chandler

by Ryan T. McGuire When a Sunday school teacher fails to report suspected child abuse, can she be held legally responsible? This question recently came before the Arizona Court of Appeals in Doe v. Warr (2025), a case that has quietly but significantly expanded the scope of who can be considered a mandatory reporter under […]

Judicial Bypass in Arizona: Navigating Abortion Rights After Proposition 139

Judicial Bypass in Arizona: Navigating Abortion Rights After Proposition 139 - Arizona family law attorney in Goodyear

On November 5, 2024, Arizona voters passed Proposition 139, enshrining a fundamental right to abortion in the Arizona Constitution. [1] Previously, as reported in our blog post “Bypass: The Future of Abortion Access for One of the Most Vulnerable Populations,” [2] the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs overruled Roe’s right to abortion, which called the […]

Who’s a Mandatory Reporter, Anyway?

Who's a Mandatory Reporter, Anyway? - Arizona legal counsel in Peoria

Paging Father M.D. by Ryan T. McGuire, Law Clerk You are driving home from work and are stopped behind a bus at a busy Phoenix intersection. You see what you assume is a mother tugging her toddler by the arm, perhaps trying to get the child ready to get on the bus as it approaches […]

The September Surge: Understanding Seasonal Patterns in Child Abuse Detection

The September Surge: Understanding Seasonal Patterns in Child Abuse Detection - Arizona DCS defense attorney in Surprise

By Ryan T. McGuire, Woodnick Law Clerk When COVID-19 lockdowns began in March 2020, child welfare agencies noticed a significant decline in child abuse reports. [1] But did child abuse actually drop during the pandemic? Unlikely. Data from Arizona’s Department of Child Safety (DCS) reveals a telling pattern. In June 2024, the agency received 2,756 […]

Family Court: Can I Leave My Child Home Alone?

Family Court: Can I Leave My Child Home Alone? - family law legal services in Chandler

By Deandra Arena and Ryan T. McGuire Making good decisions for your children is tough under normal circumstances. Parents are always trying to protect their children from getting hurt while helping them become well-adjusted adults. During a divorce, this becomes even more difficult because your parenting decisions are under a microscope. For example, at what […]

Retinal Hemorrhages

Retinal Hemorrhages - child safety defense lawyer in Prescott

by Markus W. Risinger and Ryan T. McGuire Investigators commonly point to retinal hemorrhages, or retinal bleeding, to distinguish child abuse from accidental injury or underlying medical conditions. Courts rely on expert testimony identifying retinal hemorrhages as evidence of child abuse so frequently that the diagnosis has almost become shorthand for an abuse finding. But […]

Will I Keep My House in My Divorce?

Will I Keep My House in My Divorce? - family law legal services in Gilbert

A house is often the most significant piece of property involved a divorce case. Commonly, people ask whether they can keep the house in the divorce. The answer is, “it depends.” Community Property Laws in Arizona: Arizona is a community property state, which means that married couples share in the assets acquired during the marriage. […]