family law – woodnicklaw.com

Can I Include a “No-Cheating” Clause in My Prenup?

By Isabel Ranney and Mallory Scott 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 […]

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 […]

AI Editing Technology in Family Communications

By Mallory Scott In their latest end-of-year summary of legal profession developments, LexisNexis reports that 2023 brought significant growth to practice in three novel new areas: generative AI, ESG (environmental, social, and governance matters), and space law. While it is unlikely that an average person will be involved in a space law dispute, generative technology […]

Why Convert a Legal Separation to Divorce?

Before a couple chooses to get married, they may be cautioned by friends or family members that “fifty percent of marriages end in divorce.” Foreboding? Yes. True? Not necessarily. First, there are a lot of demographic factors that contribute to the decision to get married or divorced, and this sweeping statistic should not be broadly […]

Benefits of Remote Family Law Mediation Services for Arizona Families

By Leslie A.W. Satterlee The pandemic wreaked havoc on our lives in many ways. For attorneys, we had to embrace technology and learn to lawyer online. Attorneys had to learn to navigate digital exhibits, meet with clients and colleagues over Zoom, sign documents remotely, and conduct trials completely online. I learned to navigate these developments, […]

In the Media: “May December” and the Revival of Mary Kay Letourneau

By Isabel Ranney This year has been marred with what appears to be an increase in teachers facing allegations and charges for inappropriate conduct with their students. Particularly, female teachers having sexually inappropriate relationships with their students feels to be more prominent in the media. As recent as September of 2023, a former female high […]

Is Corporal Punishment Permitted in Arizona?

By Isabel Ranney and Mallory Scott It seems that corporal punishment has fallen out of favor among parents as the preferred way to discipline children. If the stereotypical American “Simpsons” family has moved on from spanking, choking, or otherwise making physical contact with misbehaving children, then shouldn’t millennial parents who also grew up watching the […]

Defending Child Abuse Allegations in Arizona State and Federal Court

Published in the Maricopa Lawyer Family Law Section December 2023 edition. By Sabra Barnett As a former Assistant Federal Public Defender, I have experience representing clients accused of crimes ranging from gun charges and interstate drug trafficking to complex financial matters involving interstate wire transfers. I always appreciated practicing in Federal court because of the tremendous caliber of […]

In the News: Lack of Discovery Revealed in Thousands of DCS Cases

By Woodnick Law Originally reported by 12News on August 21, 2023. On August 21, 2023, a letter from the Division Chief Counsel representing the Department of Child Safety (DCS) went out to all Presiding Judges across the state of Arizona. The letter requested that they “suspend any trials and severance proceedings” set in the next […]

To Appeal or Not to Appeal

By: Markus Risinger This article was initially published July 14, 2020. Advising a client after a trial ruling can feel like trying to close a barn door after the horse has bolted. Clients frequently come to me disappointed with a court ruling and wanting to know how they can get their case revisited by a […]