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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 […]
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 […]
Knapp: How Private Attorneys Can Help Public Defenders
You just have to watch a few Law and Order: SVU episodes to know the that when someone is arrested, they are read Miranda warnings. While the 100 words in Miranda are all valuable, “the right to an attorney” and that, “if you cannot afford one, one will be provided to you” is of particular […]
A Position of Trust: Teachers Accused of Sexual Misconduct with Students
Due to their close proximity to students, teachers and school personnel are often the first line of defense when it comes to identifying signs of child abuse and they are often blamed for failing to detect abuse sooner. Teachers are expected to act as detectives – to notice and question every bruise, every unwashed shirt, […]
Forgetting Something? The Forgotten Assets of Divorce
Most people going through a divorce know that they will need to divide their assets and debts accumulated during their marriage. Most people likely also understand that this can include the house they are living in, the bank account they use to pay their bills, the pots and pans in the kitchen, and that joint credit card. But, it is important to know that the community may include many other nuanced and not-so-obvious assets and debts.
Divorce 101: Acronyms and Terms Decoded
Family court can often seem like you are entering a world with a different language. Many new legalese terms and acronyms are used in the field of family law. Here are some frequently used acronyms decoded:
Did the DCS/CPS Caseworker Really Just Tell Me That I Don’t Need a Lawyer?
Something that has confounded me since day one of practicing law in Phoenix, and all throughout the state of Arizona, is that DCS case managers frequently tell parents they are investigating for child abuse or neglect that they do not need a lawyer. Sure, the early stages of their investigation may not involve the Juvenile Court or the DCS lawyer (Arizona Attorney General’s Office), but it does involve the parents’ constitutionally protected, fundamental right to parent their children.
CPS Left A Card On My Door To Call Them! What Should I Do?
I frequently get calls from parents who have come home to find a DCS note on their door. It is usually a business card from a DCS investigator requesting that the parent contact them immediately.