This article is designed to explain the role of a Judge Pro Tempore “JPT” and to identify how it differs from a permanent judge. It is an important distinction for accuracy and understanding of private practice and governmental service.
A Summary Consent Decree is a newer process that allows parties that are in full agreement on all of the terms to be able to divorce in an easier process…
The following individuals were granted an LP license to practice in the endorsement area of Family Law and Chelsea Woodworth is soon to become the first LP with a dual license having recently passed the Civil Law Endorsement exam.
A contested legal matter means you and the opposing party in your case do not agree on everything. On the other hand, if the parties agree, then it would be an uncontested matter
Debt settlement can take years, and your credit usually does not improve much during that time.
The Means Test is an eligibility criterion for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you do not pass the Means Test, you do not qualify for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
Let’s examine how debt settlement programs have generally worked for these credit or debt programs.
In the past, you didn’t need to be overly concerned about losing everything. But whether you can keep your house and vehicle has become more complicated in 2022.
There are times when a second parent must adopt to obtain legal rights of their own child.
Do you want a Better Divorce? Part 1 covered what a Better Divorce is and Part 2 explains what the process looks like and possible issues.
A better divorce exists. Divorces are often emotion-filled and endless drains of time and money.
A question that is often asked is about the cost of adoption. Adoptions range from no expenses to $100,000s. Seems extreme, right?
ICWA has a number of protections, but they can be summed up with two words: participation and difficulty.
The Central Registry is a state-wide database listing who has substantiated reports of abuse or neglect to a child or vulnerable adult. This does not include mere investigations or unsubstantiated allegations.
In our firm’s experience, Arizona DCS has allowed increased Indian tribal participation in child welfare cases (dependency, severance, termination, adoption). Our firm has observed, in several cases, that Arizona seems to allow even greater tribal participation than federal law would require.
ICWA is designed to benefit an Indian child by protecting the child’s cultural and familial bonds to the child’s Indian tribe. In the culture of many Indian tribes, the tribe is the child’s family.
ICWA affords opportunities for an Indian child’s family and tribe to participate in any DCS case involving an “Indian child.”
Lewis Labadie’s participation in the Arizona Legal Paraprofessional program was highlighted in this article by the Arizona Capital Times.
Here are some tips on what to do and what not to do in court and the common sense that is often discarded when it comes to going to court.
In most adoptions, the prospective adoptive parent has the option to keep the adoption open. An open adoption allows communication after the adoption.
The Adoption Subsidy Program is available to children with special needs.
Most probate cases in Arizona are informal and can be filed and monitored by court personnel with no need to appear in court for any hearings.
The adoption process is faster than most court cases…
Foster parents do not require formal certification to adopt a foster child, as their licensing meets this requirement.