Phoenix Divorce Law Blog

Arizona residents who are also basketball fans may be interested to learn about a battle that is heating up - this time not on the court, but in the courtroom. Lakers starter Steve Nash was embroiled in a nasty divorce and is now involved in an equally distressing fight over child support. His ex-wife Alejandra Nash contends that he should pay child support for their eight-year-old twins and two-year-old son. The courts, thus far, have held a different opinion.

This case is vastly different than the typical child support dispute, due to the considerable assets involved. However, the courts, as always, must have the best interest of the children in mind. Both parents are providing for the children; it is not Ms. Nash alone. Steve Nash is already paying for many of the children's expenses, including 90% of medical , school, and extracurricular expenses and 82% of the cost of the children's nanny. However, Ms. Nash does not feel that is enough and wishes for him to pay monthly child support, as well.

While many grandparents do not envision themselves taking another crack at parenthood, for some Arizona residents that is exactly what happens. Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren in Arizona may be interested to learn of a bill that is making its way through the Arizona legislature. If it becomes law, this proposed bill will have a definite effect on child custody for grandparents in the state.

The bill aims to assist grandparents who are raising their grandchildren and who are struggling financially. It is known as the "Grandparent's Stipend" bill and would provide $75 per month to grandparents for each grandchild who is in their custody. While this amount may not sound like a lot, for individuals who have extremely tight budgets, every dollar counts when it comes to supporting grandchildren financially when those grandchildren are in their physical custody.

Arizona residents may be interested to hear the story of one man who hit it big recently -- winning a Powerball jackpot of $338 million. When he won the lottery, the man was in arrears for his child support for close to $30,000. After winning, he has settled his child support debts. The man in this case has five children, three of whom will be coming to live with him now that he has the means to be able to provide for them.

Raising a child can be quite expensive. In Arizona, child support guidelines are set up in a manner that takes into account each parent's income, assets and earning capacity. The total child support amount approximates how much would have been spent on the children if the family were intact and assigns a proportionate share of the total child support amount to each of the parents. If a noncustodial parent is required to pay child support and fails to do so, then that parent may face penalties.

The Arizona Senate passed a bill recently dealing with parental relocation that is now being sent to the House for consideration. Although this proposed change is not law yet, it is something of which Arizona residents who are dealing with child custody matters should be aware, because it is possible that it may indeed become law.

The proposed bill, authored by Senator Nancy Barto, requires that a parent who intends to move must notify the other parent of any intended move and provide them with a chance to object. Under the proposed law, if the custodial parent wishes to move and the noncustodial parent objects, the custodial parent will not be able to move unless a court order is obtained. Opponents of this bill suggest that victims of domestic violence may be at risk if the bill does indeed become law and also suggest that it will make it harder for a single parent to buy a house. The House will now consider this bill.