Going through a divorce is one of the most challenging experiences anyone can face. Regardless of the reasons for separation, divorce is emotionally difficult and legally complex. When you turn to the Chandler divorce attorneys at Wilson-Goodman Law Group, PLLC, you can rely on a team you can trust to guide you through every step of the process. At Wilson-Goodman Law Group, PLLC, we ensure that you are treated fairly while providing compassionate, practical guidance to protect your rights and interests.
Founded in 1997, Wilson-Goodman Law Group, PLLC has experienced attorneys and a dedicated support staff ready to work on your case today. We are committed to:
Contact our Chandler family law attorneys online or call (480) 503-9217 today to discuss your case in a confidential setting and move smoothly into the next phase of your life.
Family law matters affect your home, finances, and future. At Wilson-Goodman Law Group, PLLC, we provide comprehensive divorce and family law services tailored to Chandler residents and families throughout Maricopa County. Whether navigating a contested divorce, negotiating child custody, or protecting your assets, our attorneys combine in-depth knowledge of Arizona law with practical strategies to help you move forward confidently.
In Arizona, a divorce may be contested or uncontested. An uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses reach agreements on all aspects of the separation, including:
The agreement is presented to the court, and in most cases, the judge incorporates it into the final divorce decree unless it is clearly unfair or coerced. A contested divorce arises when the spouses cannot resolve all disputes through negotiation or mediation. In these cases, the matter proceeds to trial, where each party presents evidence and arguments. The judge then makes binding decisions on all unresolved issues.
Arizona is a no-fault divorce state, meaning a spouse does not have to prove wrongdoing to obtain a divorce. Instead, it is enough to state that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” However, Arizona also recognizes covenant marriages. Covenant Marriages are less common and have stricter requirements, including premarital counseling and legal proof of grounds such as adultery, abuse, abandonment, or felony conviction. Understanding your marriage type is essential, as it affects the legal steps for divorce.
An annulment is a legal process that declares a marriage null and void, as if it never legally existed. Annulments are rare and typically require specific grounds, such as fraud, bigamy, underage marriage without consent, or incapacity at the time of marriage. A legal separation allows spouses to live apart and formalize arrangements for property division, custody, and support without dissolving the marriage. Some couples choose this route for religious reasons, financial considerations, or the possibility of reconciliation. A legal separation can also be converted to a divorce later if desired.
Arizona follows community property law, meaning that most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are considered marital property and must be divided equally between spouses during a divorce. This generally includes:
The court has broad discretion in determining how to divide property in a divorce. However, if the couple has a postnuptial or prenuptial agreement, those terms will typically take precedence over Arizona’s default community property rules. Just as assets are divided, marital debts, including credit card balances, loans, and other liabilities, are also split equally between both parties.
Before the court can divide property, each asset must be assigned a fair market value. This process often involves professional appraisals, especially for high-value or complex assets such as:
Accurate valuation is critical to ensuring an equitable division of property. In some cases, each spouse may hire their own appraiser, and the court will consider both valuations when making its decision. Disputes over asset values are common in contested divorces and may require expert testimony at trial.
Not all property is subject to equal division. Separate property belongs exclusively to one spouse and is generally excluded from the marital estate. Examples include:
During the discovery phase of a divorce, both parties disclose all assets and debts so attorneys can classify them as either separate or community property. However, commingling, mixing separate property with marital property, can cause separate assets to lose their protected status. For example, depositing inherited funds into a joint bank account or using marital funds to improve a separately owned property may give the other spouse a claim to part of that asset.
Spousal maintenance, often referred to as alimony, is financial support paid by one spouse to the other after divorce. Its purpose is to help the lower-earning or non-earning spouse maintain stability and transition toward financial independence. In Arizona, there is no fixed formula for calculating spousal maintenance. Instead, the court considers multiple factors, including:
Arizona courts generally categorize marriages as short-term (less than 10 years) or long-term (10 years or more). Short-term marriages often lead to smaller or shorter-duration alimony awards. While there’s no statutory guideline, many court orders set alimony payments for 30% to 50% of the length of the marriage. For example, in a 10-year marriage, support might last between 3 and 5 years, depending on the circumstances.
While Arizona law does not use rigid categories for alimony, spousal maintenance awards generally fall into one of the following types:
The court tailors the type and duration of spousal maintenance to the unique circumstances of each case, aiming for fairness while encouraging long-term financial independence whenever possible.
Spousal maintenance orders can sometimes be modified if either party experiences a substantial change in circumstances, such as job loss, significant income change, or remarriage of the receiving spouse. Payments typically end on the date specified in the court order, upon remarriage of the recipient, or upon the death of either spouse.
In Arizona, child custody is referred to as legal decision-making and parenting time. State law encourages both parents to have meaningful, frequent time with their children, and the court’s primary focus is always on the best interests of the child. Arizona courts generally favor joint legal decision-making and equal or nearly equal parenting time, unless evidence shows that such arrangements would not be in the child’s best interests. The law does not automatically favor one parent over the other. When parents cannot agree on a parenting plan, each submits their own proposal. The judge then reviews the evidence and determines legal decision-making and parenting time arrangements based on statutory factors.
When determining what is in a child’s best interests, Arizona courts may consider:
Arizona law prohibits awarding joint legal decision-making to a parent with a history of domestic violence, serious substance abuse, or certain criminal convictions. In some cases, the court may order supervised parenting time to protect the child’s safety.
Parents may submit a joint parenting plan if they reach an agreement on decision-making and parenting time. The court will approve the plan if it serves the child’s best interests and both parents voluntarily consent. If no agreement is reached, the court will impose a plan based on the evidence presented at trial.
Child custody and visitation orders can be modified when a substantial change in circumstances occurs, such as relocation, changes in a parent’s work schedule, or concerns about a child’s welfare. If a parent wishes to relocate with the child, Arizona law requires strict notice and, in some cases, court approval to ensure the move aligns with the child’s best interests.
Under Arizona law, both parents, custodial and non-custodial, have a legal duty to provide reasonable financial support for their minor children. In a divorce or legal separation, child support obligations take priority over most other financial commitments.
The Arizona Child Support Guidelines, adopted by the Arizona Supreme Court, establish a formula to determine monthly support. The goal is to approximate what parents would have spent on their children had they continued living together. Factors considered in the calculation include:
While the Guidelines provide a standard formula, the court may deviate from these calculations in specific situations, such as:
A deviation will only be granted if following the standard formula would be unjust or inappropriate and if the change serves the best interests of the child.
Either parent can request a modification of child support if there is a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. For example, a significant change in income, parenting time, or a child’s needs.
Arizona law protects the rights of both parents, regardless of gender. Fathers have equal standing when seeking legal decision-making, parenting time, and child support arrangements. Establishing paternity is essential for unmarried fathers to secure these rights, allowing them to participate fully in decisions about their children and to request parenting time.
In Arizona, establishing legal paternity is essential for ensuring a child’s right to financial support, inheritance, and access to benefits such as health insurance. It also secures a father’s rights to parenting time and legal decision-making. Paternity can be established in one of three ways:
Adoption creates a permanent legal relationship between a child and their adoptive parents, giving the child the same rights as a biological child. The process involves a thorough home study, background checks, and court approval to ensure the adoption is in the child’s best interests. Common types of adoption include:
Surrogacy Agreements Surrogacy arrangements allow intended parents to build their family with the help of a gestational or traditional surrogate. Arizona’s surrogacy laws are complex, and contracts for paid surrogacy are generally unenforceable. However, intended parents can still work with attorneys to establish parentage orders and ensure their rights are protected. Because these matters involve highly specific legal requirements, it’s important for all parties: biological parents, intended parents, and surrogates, to have independent legal representation throughout the process.
Domestic violence can include physical harm, threats, harassment, intimidation, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse between family members, intimate partners, or household members. Arizona law recognizes the serious impact of domestic violence on victims and children, and the legal system provides remedies to protect them.
An Order of Protection (OOP) is a court-issued order designed to keep victims safe from an abusive or threatening individual. OOPs can:
Victims can request an OOP from the Superior Court or Justice Court depending on the jurisdiction, and emergency orders can be granted quickly in urgent situations.
For situations that do not meet the definition of domestic violence, Arizona law allows victims to seek an Injunction Against Harassment (IAH). IAHs protect individuals from repeated harassment, threats, or stalking from another person, even if they are not in a domestic relationship.
Navigating protective orders and domestic violence claims can be complex. An experienced Chandler family law attorney can:
Timely legal action can safeguard your physical safety and preserve your parental rights.
Guardianship is a legal relationship in which a court appoints an individual (the guardian) to make personal, medical, and sometimes educational decisions for a minor child or an incapacitated adult. Guardianship is necessary when the child’s parents are unable to fulfill their responsibilities or when an adult cannot care for themselves due to physical or mental limitations.
Conservatorship focuses primarily on managing the financial affairs and property of an incapacitated adult. The appointed conservator ensures that the individual’s assets are protected, bills are paid, and financial decisions are made in their best interests.
When establishing guardianship or conservatorship, the court evaluates:
Guardianships and conservatorships can be modified or terminated if circumstances change, such as improvement in the individual’s ability to manage their own affairs or if a more suitable guardian or conservator becomes available.
An experienced Chandler family law attorney can:
Proper legal guidance ensures that these sensitive matters are handled efficiently, fairly, and in compliance with Arizona law.
Every divorce case is unique, which is why our attorneys develop a tailored strategy to fit your specific circumstances. From understanding the complexities of your marriage to assessing your financial situation and parental responsibilities, we create a plan designed to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family.
We understand that legal costs can be a concern. Wilson-Goodman Law Group, PLLC offers both flat-fee and hourly billing options to give you transparency and control over your legal expenses. Our goal is to provide high-quality legal representation while keeping costs predictable and manageable.
Your privacy and convenience matter. We offer multiple secure ways to communicate, including video consultations, phone calls, encrypted email, and a client portal. This ensures that you stay informed and connected throughout your case without added stress or travel.
Divorce doesn’t always have to be adversarial. We support collaborative divorce approaches, partial agreements, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to help couples resolve disputes efficiently. These options can save time, reduce stress, and minimize courtroom conflicts while protecting your rights and interests.
Divorce is not only an emotional process – it’s a complex legal procedure. Our attorneys ensure that you are protected at every stage and that your parental rights are upheld. We will:
At Wilson-Goodman Law Group, PLLC, we answer your questions honestly, provide practical guidance, and advocate for your best interests at every stage of the Chandler divorce process.
To file for divorce in Arizona, either you or your spouse must have been a resident—or, in the case of military personnel, stationed—in the state for at least 90 days before submitting the petition for dissolution of marriage. The petition is typically filed in the county where the filing spouse resides. If there are minor children involved, both the petitioner and the children must have lived in Arizona for at least six months prior to filing. Meeting these residency requirements ensures that the court has jurisdiction over your divorce case.
Arizona primarily allows no-fault divorces, meaning that neither spouse is considered responsible for the marriage breakdown. The only requirement is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. For couples in a covenant marriage, fault-based divorce may be pursued, but these marriages are uncommon. Covenant marriages require couples to:
In a fault-based covenant marriage divorce, a judge may grant the divorce only if one of the following conditions is proven:
Divorce cases in Chandler are generally handled by the Maricopa County Superior Court. The court has jurisdiction over matters including dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, and division of assets. Cases involving minor children must also follow Arizona’s child custody and parenting time laws, which prioritize the best interests of the child. Filing in the correct county ensures that your case proceeds efficiently and that your legal rights are fully protected. Experienced Chandler divorce attorneys can guide you through jurisdiction requirements and ensure all necessary documents are properly filed.
If you are facing a divorce or considering one, it’s crucial to speak with a qualified and experienced Chandler divorce attorney as soon as possible. At Wilson-Goodman Law Group, PLLC, our team is ready to guide you through every aspect of the divorce and family law process. We handle all elements of separation, from property division and spousal maintenance to child custody and support, advocating for your rights at every step. You don’t have to navigate this challenging time alone. Take action today! Schedule a one-on-one consultation to discuss your case, either by completing the online form or calling (480) 503-9217. Let our Chandler divorce lawyers stand by your side and ensure your legal interests are fully protected.