Aggressive. Determined. Hardworking.

Proven Tucson Firm Working To Establish Fair Parenting And Legal Decision-Making Arrangements Regarding Children

Dealing with a child custody dispute can be an emotional and financial drain on you, not to mention your family and the other difficulties associated with a breakup. At Ayala Law Office, P.C., located in Tucson, our family law lawyers provide our clients with personalized services. We offer the information you need to make legal decisions that will help preserve a positive relationship with your children and your former partner throughout the time that your children will be under the vise of an order of the court. This is particularly important if you have young children as you will need to collaborate with your co-parent for many years to come in the co-parenting of your children. In Pima County and the surrounding areas of Tucson, our insightful child custody attorneys provide the knowledge and advice needed to make proper decisions as to the custody and visitation issues involving your children. With over 30 years of combined legal experience, our family lawyers know how to resolve difficult conflicts and achieve a result that gives your children the best chance to grow up in a safe and supportive environment.

Skillful Family Lawyers Advising On Legal Decision-Making And Parenting Time

Rather than using the terms “legal custody” and “physical custody,” Arizona law now refers to custody as “legal decision-making authority” and “parenting time.” When parents cannot agree on these matters, the courts set terms that they consider to be in the best interests of the child and they are not always in the best interest of your family. It is never good to allow a judge to decide the orders of your family but if you cannot enter into an agreement with the father of the children, the next best thing is to have an experienced attorney who can advocate for you in court so that your result is that of a positive one, rather than a negative one. Our family law and divorce attorneys can explain the relevant aspects of all custody and visitation issues, including:

  • Primary and joint child custody arrangements – While traditional custody arrangements tend to favor mothers, Arizona courts now seem inclined to divide legal and residential responsibility equally between the mother and the father. However, substance abuse, domestic violence and other types of parental misconduct can put a child at risk and that can tip the scale in the favor of the non-using and non-abusive parent. At Ayala Law Office, P.C., our family law attorneys will look at each aspect of the situation and craft equitable solutions and arguments, where both parents will maintain the proper limited or frequent contact needed, and we will ensure that the relationship that the children have with each parent is meaningful and supportive, whether it be with your son(s) or your daughter(s).
  • Modification of custody, visitation and legal decision-making orders including relocation – When changes in your life demand an adjustment to your parenting time or decision-making arrangements, including relocation from the area, our firm will petition for a fair revision to the current orders. Conversely, if your co-parent wants to relocate with your child to a distant location or take some other action that violates the terms of your custody order, we will take assertive action on your behalf or if you are the one who wants to move, we will work to ensure the court knows why you want to move and we will work to ensure that your side of the story gets presented to the court so that the court has all of the evidence needed to ensure the correct order is entered. And if a job loss or some other financial change necessitates a revision of your child support obligation, our firm will be thee to petition the court for relief.
  • Grandparent visitation and custody rights – If a child’s parents were never married or have been divorced for at least three months, Arizona courts can grant visitation rights to grandparents if they consider it to be in the child’s best interests. Judges evaluate a series of factors to make these determinations, including the existing grandparent-grandchild relationship and any possible reason why such a request should be denied. At our firm, we will work to make sure that the court understands the dynamics of the family and why it is important to seek relief before the court for visitation and if the children need to live with the grandparents, we will work with a grandparent to petition the court for custody of your grandchildren in the best interest of the children.
  • Third-party custody – Children are sometimes safest living with certain adults who are not their parents and who have had substantial contacts with the children. Should you be aware of a situation where third-party custody might be appropriate, our family law attorneys will lay out the legal steps that you can take to protect the children.

At Ayala Law Office, P.C., our attorneys will treat every custody matter with the care and compassion it deserves, and we will work diligently to protect the child’s well-being.

Contact An Accomplished Arizona Child Custody Lawyer

Ayala Law Office, P.C., advises parents and grandparents on all child custody issues and on other family law concerns. Please contact us at 520-585-4501 or contact us online to make an appointment at our Tucson office.