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Understanding the Arizona Dissolution (Divorce) Process
By Ryan T. McGuire A divorce, which Arizona refers to as a “dissolution,” can be an intimidating process. Not only is it a highly emotional process, but it also often involves more interaction with the legal system than the average person will experience in their lifetime. You may need to hire an attorney, though it […]
Juvenile Court, Family Court, and Rule 5.1 ARFLP
By Ryan T. McGuire On July 15, 2025, Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals issued an important ruling on Rule 5.1, Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure. [1] The ruling illustrates the complexity of procedural rules. Rule 5.1 becomes relevant when a family has both legal decision-making and parenting time (formerly child custody) […]
What would a Prenup for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce look like under Arizona Law? It’s Actually Romantic.
By Ryan T. McGuire and Isabel Ranney I. Introduction The engagement of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, announced on August 26, 2025, captivated the world. [1] As one of the most high-profile couples in America with collective assets worth billions of dollars, it is likely that they are contemplating entering into a prenuptial agreement […]
How Flagstaff’s High Cost of Living Shapes Spousal Support Under A.R.S. § 25-319
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
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
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?
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
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 […]
Retinal Hemorrhages
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 […]
So You’re Getting Divorced. What Happens to Your Retirement Accounts?
The short answer to “What happens to my retirement accounts if I get divorced in Arizona?” is “About half of the value will probably go to your spouse.” The longer, more technical answer requires a bit of background first. Arizona Is a Community Property State Arizona, and a handful of other states, view marriage as […]