Tuscon Arizona Family Law Blog

Some kids are struggling to keep their heads above water. Arizona family law rules are in existence to protect children and to do what is in their best interests, but many kids have been and are being traumatized by situations in which they should not be involved: physical, emotional and sexual abuse, substance abuse by their parents, and other egregious wrongdoings by the adults in their lives who should be looking after them. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), more than two-thirds of children in the country reported at least one traumatic event by the time they reached 16 years of age.

The numbers are even worse regarding kids in Arizona where 27% have had two or more adverse events in their lives by age 16. These incidents can also include neglect, domestic violence, mental illness, divorce or separation of their parents or parents being incarcerated. Children who have two or more traumatic experiences in their young lives are more likely to need to repeat a grade or more in school, miss more days of school and are more likely to be overweight or obese.

Some couples who are unhappy are deciding to end their marriages even if they have been married for many years. Divorce over the age of 50 -- or grey divorce as it is known -- is becoming more common today. In fact, overall divorce rates are declining in the country except for couples in this age range. Arizona spouses in this situation may wish to sidestep the possible financial ramifications of divorce later in life by avoiding certain mistakes.

When a couple that is close to retirement age divorces, there can be added financial pitfalls which could include retirement plans. One piece of advice experts agree on is selling the family home to offset any financial injury; holding onto a home may make the situation even more tenuous. Couples also need to know where they stand in terms of their assets and their debts so each person can make plans regarding their financial situation. Not looking at that picture can also create an added financial burden.

Serving in the U.S. Armed Forces is noble and often considered a calling. It comes with numerous sacrifices. The service member isn't the only one who makes them, however. Being part of a military family can result in a unique type of stress that civilian families may not have to endure.

Long days, deployments and training could keep the service member away from home. This could put a strain on the marital relationship to the point at which it results in divorce. As part of the proceedings, you will need to work out your child custody issues, but as a member of the military, you will have one more task to complete -- your family care plan.

Being a parent is a difficult job, and single parents may struggle more than parents who have the help of a spouse, domestic partner or other family members around to help. For a single parent, maintaining employment may be a necessity to provide for one's children. Unfortunately, choosing work over the safety of a child can result in loss of child custody. 

Recently, an Arizona mother with two young twin boys was arrested. The trouble began when a neighbor reported that the boys, age 3, seemed unattended as they reached through a broken window to toss toys into the yard. When police arrived, they found that the children were indeed alone and wearing dirty diapers.