602.449.7980 
1747 E Morten Ave #205 Phoenix AZ 85020
A Court-Focused Perspective: The Benefits of a Second Opinion
By Gregg Woodnick and Isabel Ranney A term often thrown around when discussing family court matters is “high conflict litigation.” In general, family court can be traumatic and disputes involving the care of children all are emotionally draining. But the term “high conflict” really should be reserved for cases that are (sadly) explosive. Frequently, these […]
Grey Divorces in Arizona: What, Why, and How
You might know an older couple who is suddenly getting divorced after being married for decades and thought, “Why now?” These “grey divorces” happen. And increasingly so, according to research conducted earlier this year [1]. What Is a “Grey Divorce”? The “grey” in “grey divorcing” refers not to an ethical area, but rather to the […]
False Allegations of Child Abuse Can Happen to Anyone, Even Cardi B
Recently, someone called Child Protection Services on Cardi B in the middle of the night. The caller claimed that Cardi B was physically abusing her children. The rapper has had pranks pulled on her in the past (e.g. food deliveries she never ordered), but she draws the line at “pranks” affecting her children. In turn, […]
Drowning in Cash—And Infidelity
Less than a month ago, the Court of Appeals of Arizona heard a case from a wife who accused her husband of using $530,578 “for non-community purposes” [1]. But what does that mean? To fully understand the gravity of the situation (and to understand why it is even worse than that allegation suggests), you will […]
Help! My Ex Falsely Accused Me of Child Abuse!
False allegations of child abuse from former partners are a reality. Sometimes, they are retaliatory to damage the other parent’s credibility or reputation. This (highly unethical) strategy is used to gain leverage over the other person or to induce the court to change parenting orders. These reports may also be done after a decree has […]
How Public is a Family Court Proceeding?
Whether it is true crime stories or high-profile celebrity divorces, it goes without saying that a significant amount of popular content revolves around courtroom drama. The constant exposure to dramatized legal proceedings may lead to an inaccurate idea of how these processes actually work. This exposure can also contribute to the fear that everyday court […]
Can I Include a “No-Cheating” Clause in My Prenup?
As the rate of divorces in the United States continues to grow, more couples are getting prenuptial agreements to protect their assets before their marriage even begins [1]. Although prenuptial agreements tend to be focused primarily on addressing financial concerns, some parties choose to include an “infidelity clause” and other clauses focused more on regulating […]
Looking to Lower Legal Fees? Organize Early and Often
Before deciding to hire an attorney, prospective clients often ask, “How much will this cost me?” Hiring legal representation is certainly a significant expense, but the cost of an attorney’s services can be mitigated if a client is willing to be proactive and involved in the process. One of the quickest ways for a client […]
Understanding the APS Registry System: What is Exploitation?
Neglect or physical abuse are likely the first things that come to mind when an ordinary person hears about Adult Protective Services; however, Adult Protective Services (also known as “APS”) – which is the Arizona agency responsible for investigating exploitation of vulnerable adults – reviews thousands of claims of “exploitation of resources” every year. Other […]
Understanding the Adult Protective Services Registry System
In Arizona, a vulnerable adult is statutorily defined through A.R.S. § 46-451(A)(10), which states that: “…an individual who is eighteen years of age or older and who is unable to protect himself from abuse, neglect or exploitation by others because of a physical or mental impairment” [1]. As should be evident from the legal definition, […]