Hallier & Lawrence PLC - Arizona Divorce Law Attorneys

This column, authored by Andi Lawrence and Andi Mengedoth, runs monthly in So Scottsdale and Scottsdale Health providing advice from both the man's and the woman's perspective on various issues that arise in divorce and parenting situations.

There are two sides to every family law story...

Activities for Children

Amber and Zac were divorced last year and they have two kids ages 3 and 5. Zac wants to take the children to Wisconsin with his golf buddies to go to a Packers game. Although Zac has family in Wisconsin, Amber is concerned about Zac taking the children to the game because the last game he went to without the kids, he got into a fight with a fan.
Now what?

Custody Evaluations

Maggie and Chris are in the process of a divorce and cannot agree what is the best parenting time arrangement for the children. The court has ordered a custody evaluation. Maggie and Chris understand this is a lengthy process of interviews and testing focused on parenting the children.
Now what?

Health Insurance

Brad and Genna have been divorced for two years. According to the decree Brad was to provide health insurance for the children. Brad is changing jobs and he won't be eligible for coverage for 90 days.
Now what?

Conflicting Vacations

Tom and Gina each have a right to 14 consecutive vacation days with the children during the summer. Gina wants to take them to the Bahamas for 10 days from June 3 through June 13. When Gina called Tom to tell him about the trip, he advised her that he wants to take the children to his family reunion in Ohio on his regular weekend from June 3 through June 5.
Now what?

Grandparent access to children

Hanna and Luke are recently divorced parents of two elementary age children. They are exercising equal parenting time with the children. Often on Luke's time, the children are with his parents. Hanna does not dislike Luke's parents but feels that if the children are not going to be with Luke, they should be with her.
Now what?

Telephonic Parenting Time

Dave and Sue were recently divorced. The parenting order says Dave can call the children daily between 6pm and 7pm. Dave calls, but Sue answers and says the children are too busy or don't want to talk, so Dave rarely gets to talk with them on the phone.
Now what?

Talking to your children about divorce

John and Elena have been having trouble for some years and have decided it is time to file for divorce. The children are in their teens and John has been talking to them about the circumstances of the divorce. Elena wants to keep the children out of it.
Now what?

Travel over the holidays

Steve and Jane are each entitled to one-half of the winter break with their son according to their Parenting Plan. Steve wants to take the child out of school early to go to Louisiana to see his parents. Jane does not want their son to miss school and is unhappy that their son will be spending time with Steve's parents as they have never seen eye to eye.
Now what?

Holiday Parenting Time

Joyce filed for divorce last week. There are no orders from the court yet about parenting time. Dan and Joyce do not agree on how to share time with the children for the holidays.
Now what?

Right of First Refusal

Susan and Mike have equal parenting time with their kids. Their parenting plan includes a "right of first refusal" or "care provider of choice" provision. If either parent cannot be with the kids they are to offer the opportunity to be with the kids to the other parent. Because of this provision, on Mike's days, Susan has the kids from after school until Mike finishes work. Mike recently remarried and wants his new wife to pick up the kids after school.
Now what?

Access to Records

Mike and Karen have joint legal custody of their two children. Karen completed the updated school contact forms and listed her new husband as emergency contact instead of Mike. Mike is not receiving notices from the school and is blaming Karen.
Now what?

Parenting Coordinator Problems

Brian and Karen have a parenting coordinator that was appointed by the court to help them resolve disputes about the children going forward. Karen hasn't paid her share of the parenting coordinator's fees. She says she can't afford it because Brian is behind in his support payments.
Now what?
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