Phoenix Arizona Family Law Blog

Keeping children out of the crosshairs of divorce

On behalf of Reppucci & Roeder Attorneys at Law posted in divorce on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

Unfortunately, children are often innocently caught in the crossfire when parents in Arizona decide to end a marriage. Marriages can end for a number of reasons but, regardless of social stigmas and stereotypes, divorce does not have to be a totally negative experience for parents or children. However, for children to make it through this process unscathed, it is imperative that parents not lose focus on being parents.

The most important thing for parents to do during this time is to make children a priority. Divorce is tough, no doubt, and parents may tend to focus on their own emotional pain. However, children need attention during the process as well. Even though parents are technically separated, putting differences aside and working together will have positive outcomes for the emotional and mental well-being of the children.

Divorce: Planning now can prevent stress in the future

On behalf of Reppucci & Roeder Attorneys at Law posted in divorce on Thursday, June 7, 2018.

The end of a marriage is definitely a life-altering and expensive experience that can bring about great stress and anxiety. Those in Arizona going through a divorce can have many questions about the process and how to avoid financial ruin. The following financial tips could help those that are going through this experience.

Adjusting finances for a major life change such as divorce can be overwhelming. It is important that those going through a divorce anticipate costs of the process such as legal fees to gain an idea of the amount of money that will be needed. It is also helpful to gather as many financial statements as possible. Things such as bank statements, retirement account statements and tax returns.

Pay attention to your child during a divorce

On behalf of Reppucci & Roeder Attorneys at Law on Thursday, May 31, 2018.

Divorce is difficult for adults, but children who have to live through their parents divorcing are placed in a precarious position. These children love both parents and likely can't stand the thought of having to choose between parents. The adults in these situations need to remember that this is a hard time for the kids.

There are several things that you can do to help your children when you are divorcing. One is to remember that they have certain rights that you should make sure remain in place. While you might find that you need to add to this list based on your child's needs, here are some to get you started:

More women are paying child support these days

On behalf of Reppucci & Roeder Attorneys at Law posted in child support on Thursday, May 31, 2018.

An interesting trend is taking shape in Arizona and across the country. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of women paying child support. Traditionally, men earned higher incomes and were noncustodial parents, so they were required to pay child support to mothers. Child support laws were put in place in every state to make sure that children get the financial support they need. More women are being ordered make these payments, since women today occupy higher paying positions and make more money than they used to.

According to recent statistics, mothers are the primary breadwinners in four our of every 10 families in America. When a marriage ends and a family breaks apart, women who are the primary breadwinners may be forced to pay child support or spousal support. Due to traditional stereotypes, many women are surprised and caught off guard when they are ordered to pay support.

Managing finances during and after a divorce

On behalf of Reppucci & Roeder Attorneys at Law posted in divorce on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

When a marriage ends, it's hard enough to manage thoughts and emotions, let alone finances. Keeping track of money and financial obligations is never easy, but the process of divorce can make managing finances even more stressful and complex. Luckily, financial help is available for Arizona residents going through a divorce.

One of the most important things to do when navigating a divorce is to close all joint credit accounts and update all records. Doing this will prevent damage to credit scores, which could hinder financial recovery post-divorce. To keep track of money coming in and flowing out, it is very helpful to create a budget. Transitioning from two incomes to one could wreak havoc on financial obligations, so keeping track of things could ease this transition.

New child custody legislation favors co-parenting

On behalf of Reppucci & Roeder Attorneys at Law posted in child custody on Thursday, May 17, 2018.

When a marriage ends, it's common for parents to worry about the impacts that a divorce can have on children. Children typically need both parents, and their well-being may suffer when a parent is suddenly taken out of their lives. Likewise, parents can have a great deal of anxiety when it comes to post-divorce custody arrangements. However, child custody arrangements in Arizona and across the country these days have shifted from a winner-take-all situation to shared 50/50 parenting.

One state recently passed legislation saying that both parents, if fit, will split time equally with children. Traditionally, mothers were commonly awarded sole custody of children. However, recent research has shown that children fair much better post-divorce when both parents are present in their lives.

Several arrested for negligent child support payments

On behalf of Reppucci & Roeder Attorneys at Law posted in child support on Thursday, May 10, 2018.

A top priority in the lives of Arizona parents should be the well-being of their children. For a number of reasons, parents may decide to split. In today's world, it often takes financial support from both parents to meet the needs of children, and single parents often struggle financially to support their children, regardless of income. For this reason, child support laws have been established across the country. Those that break these laws and neglect to pay child support can face hefty fines and even jail time.

In an attempt to collect unpaid child support, a county in another state recently served several arrest warrants and conducted a roundup of parents who have neglected their child support payments. According to reports, 18 total people were arrested. To locate those whom had arrest warrants, officers often contacted the parents of the offenders. One officer said that the parents were more than willing to help.

Special challenges await women amid late life divorce

On behalf of Reppucci & Roeder Attorneys at Law posted in divorce on Thursday, May 3, 2018.

According to recent statistics, the rate of divorce for couples ages 50 and older in the United States has almost doubled in the last 15 to 20 years. In what is commonly referred to as gray divorce, couples in Arizona and across the country are deciding to split later in life after decades of marriage. Being single and over the age of 50 can present unique financial challenges, especially for women.

Traditionally, women in the baby boomer generation left major financial decisions up to husbands. Things like investing and retirement planning were shouldered by spouses, so when marriages end late in life women often find themselves in a bit of a present and future financial conundrum. According to a recent survey, almost 60 percent of divorcees did not participate in long-term financial planning while they were married and expressed regret in not doing so.

Avoid costly mistakes in your property division settlement

On behalf of Reppucci & Roeder Attorneys at Law posted in blog on Monday, April 30, 2018.

It is all too easy to focus on the emotional aspects of a divorce and forget about some of the more logical points. This can be financially devastating. Even if you don't immediately notice the impact, you might realize it a year or more down the road.

For anyone who is going through a divorce, making sure that you protect your financial interests is imperative. When you are working on the property division settlement, avoid making these critical mistakes so that you can start your single life off on the best footing possible.

Famous actor and ex-wife come to new child support agreement

On behalf of Reppucci & Roeder Attorneys at Law posted in child support on Thursday, April 26, 2018.

When parents end a marriage they may no longer obligated to each other, but they still have an obligation to support their children. Child support laws were enacted in Arizona and across the United States to ensure that children get the financial support they need. Even celebrities must abide by these laws. Actor Jeremy Renner recently made headlines when he and his ex-wife reached a new child support agreement.

According to records, Renner and his ex-wife split in 2015 and agreed to share custody of their now 5-year-old daughter. Records indicate that, in the original agreement, Renner was paying $13,000 per month and an additional 5 percent if he makes over $2.3 million a year. Sources say that Renner's current income is around $11.4 million which means he would have to pay an additional $292,000 this year.