Thursday, June 21, 2012

Why you'll pay more than the advertised rate for most attornies -- way more.

The U.S. divorce rate has nearly doubled since 1960, according to the National Marriage Project the number of divorce lawyers has grown apace. Though divorce rates leveled off during the recession, competition among divorce lawyers has increased -- and billboards flashing "Quick and Easy Divorce for $1099" reveal how desperate for business lawyers have become. Those teaser prices aren't a scam, says Randy Kessler, chair of the American Bar Association's family law section, but they usually apply only to parties who have already agreed on the terms of their divorce and just need the lawyer to fill in the forms. Something most divorce paralegals can do at a much lower price.  Those clients who don't fall into that category of an uncontested divorce will likely to pay more. Of course, such come-ons are partly "just to get you in the door," warns Sari Friedman, a New York City matrimonial lawyer. The fine print, she says, will often reveal extra costs -- from initial court fees to eventual asset-divvying lawyer fees. A more realistic final price tag? Anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000, with hourly rates typically running from $150 to $1,000.

At Discount Divorce and Bankruptcy of Arizona we don't play the game of hidden costs.  We disclose all fees up front and in writing.  Call today for a free phone consultation on Divorce or Bankruptcy in Arizona.  (602)896-9020

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

An Arizona Fights for the Rights of All Fathers

Mike Espinoza’s life has become a stereotype. Like divorced fathers across the country, the Apache Junction flooring installer crams a life with his sons into every other weekend and a few weeks in the summer.

He’s furious about it and is trying to change it.

And while he hasn’t yet won more time with his own children, he has given Arizona fathers a better chance at equal parenting time. In the process, he’s become a role model to his 8- and 10-year-old sons.

Over the past three years, he has worked with state lawmakers, judges, lawyers, university researchers and activists to change Arizona divorce and custody laws.

In 2010, Espinoza successfully pushed to change Arizona law to state that, unless there is evidence of domestic violence or drug use, it is in the child’s best interest to have “substantial, frequent, meaningful and continuing parenting time with both parents.”

A law he helped pass this year, which goes into effect in January, further encourages joint parenting, including requiring the court to adopt a plan that “maximizes” both parents’ time with the child and forbids the court from giving one parent preference based on the parent’s or child’s gender.

“It’s equal,” Espinoza said. “A child deserves to have both parents.”