Ketti McCormick PLLC FindLaw IM Template 2026-05-07T11:09:45Z https://www.tucsondivorcesucks.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1102883/2021/04/cropped-KM_SITEICON_512x512_APR21-32x32.jpg On Behalf of Ketti McCormick PLLC <![CDATA[Is your parenting plan ready for the holidays?]]> https://www.tucsondivorcesucks.com/?p=48577 2022-09-30T12:39:56Z 2022-09-27T20:53:44Z developing your parenting plan in advance may help you prepare for and alleviate the stress that naturally arises around the holiday season.

Keeping the family together for special days

Depending on the relationship you have with your soon-to-be ex and provided that you two can avoid conflict, one option is to keep the family together for the holidays. Although you as parents ended your romantic relationship, the family you have with your children still exists. If possible, celebrating holidays all together can help your children still feel loved and supported by both parents.

Creating a split schedule

If the idea of not seeing your children at all on certain holidays devastates you, consider creating a split schedule. Your children can see both parents on these special days. For example, they can celebrate with you in the morning and early afternoon and stay with their other parent during the late afternoon and night.

Choosing to follow an alternating schedule

Another possible approach is to have your children spend every other special occasion or holiday with each parent. Maybe you can host your children for Halloween and Christmas while your ex will have them for Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. The following year, the holidays will switch. For most of the year, creating a shared parenting plan will not prove difficult; however, the holidays may bring up more feelings within your family that need addressing in your plan.]]> On Behalf of Ketti McCormick PLLC <![CDATA[Myths that cause people to put off divorce]]> https://www.tucsondivorcesucks.com/?p=48518 2022-09-27T12:14:44Z 2022-06-27T15:26:55Z through divorce are new to the experience and worry about the outcome. It is common to harbor worrying misunderstandings that create hesitation.

Myth #1: Cheaters get nothing

Infidelity can cause a marriage to collapse. Despite this, it may not affect the division of property. Arizona is a no-fault state when it comes to divorce. No rationale is necessary for calling it quits. Thus, a dalliance outside of holy matrimony should not impact what assets end up in which name. Each state has particular laws.

Myth #2: Moms get custody

Societal biases give women an advantage when it comes to custody arrangements. These attitudes are beginning to change. Judges have the responsibility to determine what is best for the child. Increasingly, divorce courts are seeing that the father may provide a better situation. Another possibility is they recognize that shared custody is preferable.

Myth #3: Divorces get messy

A split does not have to be a painful experience. Television and movies leave the impression they always lead to courtroom drama. In truth, most divorces never go to trial. Mediation, arbitration and collaborative divorce are common alternatives. Through one of them, a speedy resolution remains possible. Just as important, the terms can remain confidential. Those who understand the reality of divorce will be less afraid of its fallout. The results of dissolving a wedded bond are not necessarily worth fearing.]]> On Behalf of Ketti McCormick PLLC <![CDATA[How to inform children you are getting a divorce]]> https://www.tucsondivorcesucks.com/?p=48512 2022-09-27T12:14:52Z 2022-03-25T20:23:48Z divorce representative who can provide advice.

Prepare your announcement

Both partners should be on the same page before they tell children. Rehearse what you will say well in advance. You may feel more comfortable if you write out your statement beforehand. If you cannot agree with one another on the details, consider hiring a counselor or divorce coach. Break the news together to all of your brood simultaneously for less confusion.

Never assign blame

Children are less interested in who is at fault for a split than knowing that their parents still care for them. Attacking one another will only intensify feelings of unease. Avoid pointing the finger at each other, and present a unified front.

Explain what will happen

Change is inevitable when couples separate. The frequency with which they see Mommy or Daddy could shift. Juveniles deserve to know where they will be living. You may already have an agreement in place. Otherwise, a judge may be responsible for solidifying these decisions. Be upfront with little ones about what they will experience. Stress that your love for them remains constant, regardless of relationship status. Kids are vulnerable to the emotional ravages of parents splitting. Notify them of this reality with a surplus of honesty and sensitivity. The right tactics will avoid unnecessary anguish.]]> On Behalf of Ketti McCormick PLLC <![CDATA[Can my child support order be modified?]]> https://www.tucsondivorcesucks.com/?p=48505 2022-09-27T12:14:57Z 2022-01-04T10:42:31Z modifying child support in Arizona, whether you pay or receive support each month.

Circumstances for modification

The state allows either parent to ask for modification with a notable change in financial circumstances, such as: To start the process, you must submit the state's Request for Modification Review form along with supporting evidence.

The modification decision

After receiving a petition for modification, the Arizona Department of Child Support Services will review your income and the other parent's income. You must also show that a continuing situation has changed one or both parents' financial situation since the initial child support order. The state will make a change if DCSS finds that the new circumstances would result in a 15% change in payments or an increase or decrease of at least $50 per month. Like the original child support order, the calculation uses the state's child support guidelines. Either parent has the right to an attorney during the child support modification process. The court will give you a chance to present evidence supporting your case whether you have requested the modification or want to contest a modification petition from the other parent.]]> On Behalf of Ketti McCormick PLLC <![CDATA[3 tips for your divorce case]]> https://www.tucsondivorcesucks.com/?p=48492 2022-09-27T12:15:06Z 2021-09-24T14:38:45Z 1. Tell your attorney everything Every marriage and divorce has some ugly parts. While you may find something to be embarrassing, you should not keep anything from your divorce attorney. Even if you think a subject is irrelevant or unnecessary to discuss, you likely want to mention it to your attorney and let him or her decide.

2. Inventory personal and marital assets

You and your soon-to-be ex-spouse must divide marital property during your divorce. Regrettably, divorcing spouses sometimes try to hide assets from each other. By inventorying your personal and marital assets before filing for divorce, you protect yourself financially. Likewise, obtaining financial records as early as possible usually makes sense.

3. Think about custody of your kids

If you have children, your divorce is also likely to require a custody determination. In Arizona, judges consider the best interests of the kids when making custody-related orders. Still, you probably have the option of negotiating a custody arrangement outside the courtroom. While the end of your marriage can be scary, you do not want to let fear dissuade you from taking control of your divorce. Ultimately, by being proactive, you may boost your chances of receiving the outcome you want.]]> On Behalf of Ketti McCormick PLLC <![CDATA[How is property divided in Arizona divorce?]]> https://www.tucsondivorcesucks.com/?p=48487 2022-09-27T12:15:12Z 2021-06-30T22:26:35Z Anticipate change in status quo Remember that the status quo is about to change. Unexpected events happen in life: loss of employment, disability, asset depreciation, the health needs of your children. Make sure your settlement agreement is flexible enough to address changes.

Consider new lifestyle parameters

With divorce, your present lifestyle will change. You may have to downsize, and you will most certainly have to create a new budget. You may want to maintain the lifestyle your children are accustomed to, but will this cut into your new budget?

Stay engaged

There are seemingly endless details involved with a divorce. You will have to provide large amounts of data to support your side of the settlement agreement negotiations. You may feel the temptation to step back and let others deal with the details, but stay engaged. The results of property division will affect your future and perhaps the future of your children.

Educate yourself financially

In a community property state like Arizona, equal division of community property does not necessarily mean a 50-50 split. The court will consider certain aspects of your marriage in addition to individual circumstances in order to make equitable decisions as to the division of property. As you prepare for this phase of your divorce, make lists of your assets and debts. Understand your present financial situation and decide what you will need in order to settle into a secure financial future.]]> On Behalf of Ketti McCormick PLLC <![CDATA[Three common problems in child custody cases]]> https://www.tucsondivorcesucks.com/?p=46084 2022-09-27T12:15:17Z 2021-04-02T21:03:43Z Joint custody schedules In an ideal world, the children would spend half of their time with each parent. In reality, perfectly splitting custody of the children is an incredibly difficult venture. Joint custody requires high levels of cooperation between ex-spouses, since you will have to accommodate each other’s schedules. If one parent is late in picking up or dropping off the kids, or doesn’t allow the other parent to have the kids for prime vacation time, conflicts can arise.

Moving to a different state

There are many reasons why you might want to move to a different state after your divorce. Maybe you want to live closer to your family, or maybe you’ve found better job prospects there. No matter the reason, if you have sole custody of the children, you must first seek court approval before taking the kids to a different state. If you have sole custody of the children, and you move away with them without permission, you run the risk of the court modifying or taking away your custody of the kids. Your ex-spouse could claim that your move interferes with their visitation rights, and the court could see that as sufficient justification for modifying the custody arrangement.

Joint legal custody and decision making

Just like the court can order sole or joint physical custody of the kids, they can also award joint or sole legal custody. Legal custody is the power to make parental decisions for the child, such as medical or educational decisions. As you can imagine, conflict often arises when ex-spouses have joint legal custody of their children, and have different ideas as to how the child should be raised. Which religion to raise the child in, which school the child should attend and which medical procedures the child should undergo are all common topics that ex-spouses often fight bitterly over. There’s no easy way to navigate the messy world of child custody disputes. But by knowing what to expect and what to watch out for, you can minimize the chances of conflict arising between you and your ex-spouse when it comes to the children.]]>