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Prepare for a Child Custody Case in Arizona | Hildebrand Law, PC

Posted on : December 14, 2017, By: Chris Hildebrand

How to Prepare for a Child Custody Case in Arizona

How to Prepare for a Child Custody Case in Arizona.

When engaging in a contested custody fight, the best defense is preparation. You need to know how to prepare for a child custody case in Arizona. There are several key steps that any parent must take in order to present themselves in the best light possible. Preparation and documentation will not only help the attorney, but it will also save time and money, which benefits all parties involved.

First, any online social networking activity needs to be heavily monitored and, if possible, eliminated completely. Photographs depicting drinking, partying, or any questionable activities should be removed. It’s helpful to enlist friends in this process and ask anyone who has posted such photos to remove them immediately. It’s also a good idea to remove most, if not all, photos of the children in question.

There is an argument that can be made for the safety of the children when their photos are linked to an address, even if it’s only a city. Ideally, all social networking should cease for the duration of the fight. Secondly, scour the Internet for incriminating photographs of the other party.

Learn how to Prepare for a Child Custody Case in Arizona From Our Arizona Licensed Attorney Chris Hildebrand of Hildebrand Law, PC.

Just as such photos can be used against you, they are invaluable in painting the opposing party in a negative light. It’s much easier to back up an argument of instability with photographic evidence. Print the photos out and, if possible, reveal the context in which they were found. Make sure that they are public photographs, and that the site is visible.

How to Prepare for a Child Custody Fight in Arizona.

Additionally, use search engines to discover any arrests, warrants, or illegal activity by the other party. These records are public and a quick search can reveal something that will completely change the direction of the case.

Another helpful tool is documenting all visitation with the children. Invest in a calendar program and record every visit, phone call, email, or other communication. Doctor visits, parent-teacher conferences, extra-curricular activities and such also show positive parental involvement.

Purchase a camera with a time and date stamp, and take photographs of these visits so that the timestamp is visible. If an occasion occurs where visitation is denied, provide evidence that the visitation was attempted. Use the camera to photograph a landmark near the agreed upon meeting place. Print these out for the attorney.

A common mistake many parents make is to use their children as a weapon. It’s a critical mistake and not only hurts the case but also hurts the children. Stick to the agreed upon visitation schedule and do not limit parenting time, and be positive in all interactions with the opposing party. Negative comments and bickering upset the children and reflect badly on the parents. Keep communications as neutral as possible, and avoid a confrontational approach.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Child Custody Battle

As family lawyers Phoenix AZ residents trust can attest, child custody battles are difficult for everyone involved. These child custody battles can cause parents to think irrationally and make mistakes. Here are common mistakes to avoid making in a child custody battle.

Not Paying Child Support: If the court has ordered you to make child support payments, remember to make your payments on time. Failing to make your payments can cause you to lose custody of your children. If you are having financial difficulties and can’t make your payments, be sure to let the court know ahead of time.
Arriving Late to Visits With Your Kids: Family lawyers in Phoenix AZ have seen many parents arrive late to visits with their kids. If you constantly are tardy picking up your kids, the judge may think you’re irresponsible. If you can’t help but be late to a visit, let your ex-spouse know right away.
Taking Your Children on Vacation Without Permission: If you want to take your children on a trip, family lawyer Phoenix AZ locals respect recommend asking the other parent for permission first. If you take your kids out of town without permission, it could be seen as kidnapping.
Blaming Your Ex-Spouse for Everything: Even if you are resentful toward your ex-spouse, family lawyers Phoenix AZ residents rely on advise not to place blame on him or her in court. The judge may think you are bitter and grant custody to your ex-spouse. Be civil to your ex-spouse in court.
Letting Your Emotions Get the Best of You: It is normal to experience a wide range of emotions during a custody battle. However, you should not let your emotions control your actions. If you do, you could make choices you regret later, such as calling up your ex-spouse and screaming at him or her. That is why it is important to have Phoenix family lawyers on your side. They can prevent you from making rash decisions that could potentially hurt your case.
Not Following Court Orders: You may not agree with every court order a judge gives you, but that does not mean you should not follow them. As family lawyers Phoenix AZ locals depend on can verify, refusing to follow court orders is disrespectful to the judge. Whether the judge orders you to take a parenting class or take a custody evaluation, you should comply.
Failing to Be Involved in Parenting Activities: If you wish to win custody of your children, family lawyers Phoenix AZ offers suggest being involved as you can in parenting activities. Help them with their homework, read to them before bedtime and attend their school functions when you can. Plan family-friendly activities on weekends, such as mini-golfing or playing at the park. If you do not make an effort to be involved in your kids’ lives, the judge may believe they aren’t your top priority and grant the other parent custody.

Finally, the best and most important step is to love your children and make sure that know as little as possible about any animosity between the parents. It is vital that their lives not be disrupted more than they already have been.

Children crave stability and structure, and when the dust settles it is important that they know that they weren’t the cause of any negative feelings or events. Shelter them from as much of the fighting as possible, and when it is over, compassion and tenderness will help them transition gracefully into their new life.

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Scottsdale Arizona Divorce Attorney.

Chris Hildebrand wrote this article to ensure everyone has access to information about family law in Arizona. Chris is a divorce and family law attorney at Hildebrand Law, PC. He has over 24 years of Arizona family law experience and has received multiple awards, including US News and World Report “Top Arizona Divorce Attorneys”, Phoenix Magazine “Top Divorce Law Firms”, and Arizona Foothills Magazine “Best of the Valley” award. He believes the policies and procedures he uses to get his clients through a divorce should all be guided by the principles of honesty, integrity, and, quite frankly, actually caring about what his clients are going through in a divorce or family law case. In short, his practice is defined by the success of his clients. He also manages all of the other attorneys at his firm to make sure the outcomes in their clients’ cases are successful as well.

Hildebrand Law, PC

4.2

A Google User

21:41 07 Nov 17

I just want to again thank the Firm for working with me all that it has. I could not have done anything without everyone's assistance. You, Chris and Stacey have been and continue to provide me with compassion and hard work towards my case. Also a very special thanks to Kip for taking my case in the beginning. Also continued support from him and his dedication to providing me with his expertise in this matter.

A Google User

16:03 22 Nov 17

Dear Stacey and Kip, How can I ever thank you enough for helping me through the most difficult time in my life? I couldn't put into words my heartfelt gratefulness. You both were so compassionate and professional at every given moment throughout this process with me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You helped me to regain my freedom.

A Google User

18:16 18 Sep 17

Chris is a smart and aggressive attorney for his clients. Chris always tries to reach a fair settlement of his cases. I’ve represented clients when Chris was the opposing counsel and while he is professional and amicable to work with, he does not back off on what he needs to do for his client

Bassam Ziadeh

21:20 02 Apr 18

I retained Hildebrand Law after interview a number of firms in the valley. Working with Michael C. was incredibly easy and informative. My case progressed in such a organized and thought out way to ensure that my needs were met. Michael was incredibly proactive and was able to see far ahead into my case to steer clear of some roadblocks. I would not hesitate to recommend Michael Clancy, and Hildebrand Law in general, to anyone.

Larry Flint

21:53 27 Feb 18

I have worked with Hildebrand law for about 8 years. They are always ready to serve, provide guidance and give you a few options. When they provide you options they also take the time to walk you through the pros and cons of each and give you a recommendation of what is best, but will listen to you and support whatever course you choose after making and educated choice. I’d recommend them to my closest friends and feel Chris Hildebrand is now a friend to me.

Sam Franchimone

22:09 12 Sep 13

Despite the unfortunate situation I found myself in, Chris Hildebrand @ Hildebrand Law helped me maneuver every step with professionalism, expertise, and even a sensitivity that was an added bonus. Chris and his staff helped me even when I didn't know I needed the help. In other words. . . they made sure we did not leave anything undone. And in the rare instance we needed the expertise of another professional, Chris knew exactly who to recommend. Chris also knew, because of his experience, what to anticipate down the road of litigation. That meant we were better prepared to meet the challenges head on, which lead to a more equitable and fair outcome. I appreciated that Chris did his best to meet my every need in a timely fashion, even if I had a simple question that required only a phone call or e-mail or if we needed to talk face-to-face. I highly recommend Chris Hildebrand @ Hildebrand Law, PC.

Lindsay Donoian

06:53 27 Sep 14

I cannot express enough how thankful I am that I found Hildrebrand Law. Chris Hildebrand is an excellent attorney who has my best interests in mind and always encourages me to do the right thing regardless of what the opposing party is doing. Chris knows family law very well and relies on that knowledge to format options and solutions for each situation that may arise. He knows what the Court expects and what will and will not be tolerated. He has attempted to settle this case quickly and as inexpensively as possible from the start. His paralegal, Laura, is remarkable. She is organized, quick to respond, and compassionate. Chris is well prepared with a binder full of detailed and organized information and that is likely due to her thorough skills and expertise. While getting a divorce that was unexpected is a painful and difficult process, Chris and Laura treat my family and I like friends rather than another just "client." I am hopeful that I do not need to recommend divorce lawyers to anyone in the future but if I do, Hildebrand Law will be a recommendation I would give hands down.

Jim Caryl

22:53 26 Jul 18

I interviewed several firms and selected Hildebrand Law for my difficult military divorce as a direct result of their whole family concern and integrity. During the interview process the professionals at Hildebrand Law were as concerned for the well being of my children as I was and ensured that they presented several options along the way to ensure that we protected my children's needs as well as my financial situation. At each decision point they laid out a clear path, how it impacted the children, the financial situation. They even reminded me that my ultimate stated goal was the best interest of my children each time the other party got particularly challenging and my frustration was getting the better of me. The owner handled my case personally and was exceptionally well versed in the unique aspects of a divorce involving the military and associated benefits. Won't need them again (fingers crossed!!! :) ) but would totally recommend them to anyone!

sandi rigney

17:19 28 Jun 18

We had a fairly complicated case in Family Court and Juvenile Court. Kip was an excellent attorney. He covered every base there was to cover and left no stone unturned. I would highly recommend him to anyone going through custody proceedings. Hildebrand Law is an excellent law firm and I am confident that Kip or any of their other attorneys would do an excellent job! Thanks Kip and Hildebrand Law!

PrinceAiden Johnson

17:15 13 Jun 18

The firm of Hildebrand Law is top notch. It's necessary to state again that Kent Millward is the epitome of excellence in a vast community of attorneys and will fight valiantly for you. We hired Kent and discovered a very good attorney with a good heart. For great family law representation and more this is the Law Firm for you. To Chris, Kent, Alison and all of Hildebrand Law,Thank you so much!

Richard Sipan

23:51 18 Oct 18

I first should comment on how I found this law firm. I am an attorney myself, though never licensed in Arizona. I moved to Arizona to rejoin my wife and son, who had moved out to Arizona ahead of me. Things soured. I don't know why, but they did.There was a particular issue for me with inherited property. I did some basic Internet research, and Hildebrand's name kept coming up as the author of scholarly articles on the issue concerning me. I asked that Hildebrand be assigned to my case. This was not possible, but his second in command, Mr. Micuda, took over, and Mr. Micuda knows his business.The initial scheduled 1 hour meeting ran for an hour and 45 minutes, and facts, law, and strategy were fully discussed. Throughout the case, everything was explained to me clearly, both verbally and in writing.Proceedings went forward without delay. Because I had selected one of the most prominent Domestic Relations firms in town, there was no serious opposition. This ended up being an essentially co-operative divorce between the two sides, the reasoning being to conserve assets rather than enrich lawyers.Through a series of 3 or 4 payments, I put up about $10,000 for fees and costs. I found the Hildebrand law firm's billings to be fair. They billed for work done; no padding. I am getting about 25% of what I paid in back, as a refund.The matter was done in about 6 months: divorce, agreed property settlement, agreed support provisions as to my son. My matters were handled by an attorney and paralegal team, and handled efficiently.Mine was not a "big" case in terms of its economic value to anyone, but I did not feel like a second or third class citizen; I was treated with the same respect, even though the dispute was over a condo, as opposed to, say, a Scottsdale mansion with land.This may sound strange, but i was actually somewhat sorry that the matter had to come to a conclusion. I felt that I had been treated like a friend, not just an anonymous customer. Being a practical man, I realize it's down to sending a Christmas or other seasonal card.As I said at the outset, I found this place by dint of my own research. I feel I am a lucky man that I did.

Niko RedMoon

02:57 18 Jan 19

This is not only a great law firm that cares about their clients but also the results they get for their clients. Great people and attorneys, I highly recommend this firm!

Rick Cabral

23:23 22 Jan 19

Chris Hildebrand is one of the sharpest and effective attorneys that I have encountered in my 27 years of business. Doing business on the East Coast, as well as Southern California and Arizona has afforded me countless opportunities to work with legal minds from various parts of the country. Needless to say, Chris is by far one of the most honest, intelligent and street smart attorneys I have encountered. I have referred a number of people to Chris and everyone has been fully satisfied. 100% recommend him!

Brandi Slaybaugh

13:11 05 Apr 19

Compassionate and patient and helped so much. The best attorney I've ever dealt with. Nothing but good things to say about Chris. So grateful.

Shari Abbit

21:15 12 Apr 19

HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Cannot say enough wonderful things about my experience with Hildebrand Law. I have been working with Chris and the firm for about 6 years now, and I always feel like my concerns, issues and questions are addressed in a thorough and timely manner. They definitely have my best interests at heart. I recommend Chris whenever anyone asks me who I used as my divorce attorney. Great firm and great results!

Michelle Harrington

20:54 24 Jul 19

I hired Michael Clancy just when I was about to give up on an existing post-decree case which I started with a different attorney over a year ago. Michael is knowledgeable, upfront and personable; he gave me the confidence to continue and settle my post decree case. I knew he was secure, capable and could handle my case and represent me well. He did everything he could to ensure a great outcome for the modification of my current court orders to help my son have a more stable mental, social and physical well-being, which to me is priceless! I would highly recommend him to anyone who wants to be in the best possible hands during one of the most stressful events that could happen to any parent that wants the best for their child/children. Thank you Michael for fighting for my son's safety!! Also, his paralegal, Alison, was awesome and very helpful!

Shari Abbit

21:15 12 Apr 19

Rick Cabral

23:23 22 Jan 19

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Prepare for a Child Custody Case in Arizona | Hildebrand Law, PC

How to Prepare for a Child Custody Case in Arizona

Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Child Custody Battle

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