How Do I Change Custody or Support Orders in Arizona

HOW DO I CHANGE CUSTODY OR

SUPPORT ORDERS

IN ARIZONA?

“Child custody and child support are related issues in

Arizona. The amount of child support that you will need to pay is based on your income and based on the number of

children that you share with your ex.”

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How Do I Change Custody or Support Orders in Scottsdale? www.singerpistiner.com 2

Child custody and

child support are

related issues in

Arizona. The amount

of child support that

you will need to pay is

based on your income

and based on the

number of children

that you share with

your ex. It is also

based on whether you

have shared parenting

time with your children

or whether the

children live only with

one parent and visit

with the other.

Parents should come together to create a custody arrangement based on what is

best for their kids. When the parenting plan is in place, the standard state formula

can be used to determine the right amount of child support. If the child has

special needs or the family otherwise has unique circumstances, the amount of

support can deviate from the standard in order to best provide for the child. If

parents are not able to come to a joint decision on a parenting plan, the judge

can step in and make the choice about how a child’s time should be split. The

judge will consider what is in the best interests of the child.


When a decision is made on custody and support, the judge will issue a court

order and both parents must abide by the rules. If you need to change custody or

support orders in Scottsdale, you will need to go through the formal legal process

of doing so in order to have the court modify the existing legal arrangement. An

experienced attorney can provide you with assistance in getting your custody and

support orders modified.

HOW DO YOU CHANGE CUSTODY OR SUPPORT ORDERS IN

SCOTTSDALE?

In order to make a change to a custody or support order, you need to petition the

court and make the request for modification. An attorney can help you to file the

appropriate

paperwork asking

the court to change

the existing custody

and support orders.

If both parents

agree that the

change in custody

should be made, it

is not difficult to

change custody or support orders in Scottsdale. With both parents requesting a

modification, a judge is almost always going to grant it and allow the new custody

or support arrangement to take effect.


If there is not consensus, however, then it becomes much more complicated to

change custody or support orders in Scottsdale. You will need to file your

petition with the court requesting the modification. The other parent will be served

and given time to answer the petition and your case will then move forward in the

family court system.

You may be encouraged to consider mediation to work out an appropriate

parenting plan and to make the requested modifications. Mediation or other

types of alternative

dispute resolution

can empower you to

make the decisions

that make sense for

your family.

If you cannot agree,

then you need to

convince the family

court judge assigned

to your case to make the desired changes to your current arrangement regarding

custody and support. The courts do not just change custody agreements, but

must have a valid and compelling reason to do so.

Typically, a court will want at least two years to pass in between a custody order

being entered and a modification occurring. However, there are times when your

need to modify an existing custody agreement cannot wait. If this happens, you

will need to show that there was been a material change in circumstances.


A material change in circumstances refers to the fact that something is so

different now as compared with when you first created the parenting time plan

that the old plan no longer makes sense. An example of a material change in

circumstances includes:

• One parent becoming more, or less, fit to provide a stable, supportive,

appropriate home environment for the child.

• One parent becoming addicted to or abusing alcohol, drugs, or any controlled

substances.

• One parent behaving neglectfully or

abusively towards a child.

• A parent seeking to move to a distant

location, like out of the state or out of

the country.

These are just some of the many

examples of situations were the court

may determine a material change in

circumstances justifies a modification of

a court agreement. To learn more about

how to change custody or support

orders in Scottsdale, contact an

experienced attorney today. Your

lawyer can help you to determine if you

have a case for modifying your support

order and, if so, can provide you with assistance filing paperwork and making a

strong argument for your position in court.


About Singer Pistiner, P.C.

In the midst of a family crisis, you may feel like you have nowhere to turn. But there is a solution. At Singer Pistiner, P.C., we will help you to find it. As a small firm, we are able to respond quickly to your needs and concerns. The efficiencies of being a small firm also enable us to provide high-quality legal services at affordable rates.

At Singer Pistiner, P.C., in Phoenix, Arizona, we know that divorce is an emotionally and financially taxing experience. That’s why we provide you with a simple, quick and personalized approach to family law services where you will deal with one attorney who will handle your case from start to finish.

Your Personal Attorneys

Throughout the legal process, our lawyers will keep you informed of important developments. We will return your phone calls, answer your questions and address any additional issues that may arise in the course of your case.

We will devote all of the time and effort needed to achieve the best possible outcome. Our law firm can take your case to family court, which is a part of the Superior Court of Arizona, or handle it through another avenue of resolution, such as mediation. In addition to divorce, our lawyers handle paternity, prenuptial agreements,grandparents’ rights, orders of protection, child relocation, and modification and enforcement issues.

In any family law case, your best interests are our overriding concern. Our goal is to find the right solution for you — in an efficient, timely and affordable manner.

OUR FAMILY LAW ATTORNEYS PROUDLY SERVE PHOENIX, GLENDALE, SURPRISE, SCOTTSDALE, TEMPE, CHANDLER AND MESA

If you’d like to know more about how our Phoenix family law firm handles divorce and other family issues, please feel free to call 602-264-0110 or send us an e-mail to schedule a free initial consultation.

Singer Pistiner, P.C. 15849 N. 71st St., Suite 100

Scottsdale AZ 85254 Phone: 602-264-0110

Fax: 602-264-0440 Website: www.singerpistiner.com


How Do I Change Custody or Support Orders in Arizona

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