by gary | Aug 25, 2025 | Blog
Divorce or separation cases can be overwhelming, but every parent wants the best for their children. Even if it can be hard for parents to get along after a divorce, they will need to co-parent their children. Parallel parenting allows both parents to be involved in the child’s life, even if they do not want to be involved with each other.
What Is Parallel Parenting?
When you divorce or separate from your spouse, you can either co-parent or parallel parent your children. In a co-parenting arrangement, you share parenting responsibilities with your ex as both of you work together to raise your children. You discuss issues related to your children and agree on a solution together, attend school events together, and maintain continuous communication with your ex.
In parallel parenting, however, each parent has specific responsibilities. You carry out the day-to-day activities without involving the other parent, and all actions depend on your parenting plan. This type of parenting can be a temporary strategy or even a long-term solution when the parents cannot get along. You can use the approach until you and your ex can work together more directly.
Simplified Parallel Parenting Definition
Parallel parenting is a type of shared parenting where the parents maintain their relationship with their children while interacting with each other as little as possible. This approach can be particularly useful when you and your ex are having trouble with a civil relationship. Since everything is outlined in the parenting plan, each parent carries out their responsibilities as expected.
With parallel parenting, each parent has their own parenting approach whenever they have the children with them. They do not attend the same appointments, functions, or child-related events. Instead, their communication is parallel, which means it occurs solely through text messages, email, or a co-parenting app.
In most cases, however, the parents agree on the major decisions about their children. This may include issues related to school, religion, and extracurricular activities. They then leave the logistics up to the person exercising their parenting time. You may also assign a particular area or decision to each parent to reduce the time you spend with your ex. In turn, parallel parenting offers the following benefits:
- Better family relationships
- Less conflict between homes
- Fewer emotional problems
- Fewer behavior problems
- Better school performance
- Higher self-esteem
- More predictability when communicating about parenting matters
Parallel Parenting Plan
Parallel parenting is made successful by having a plan in place. When creating a parenting plan, both parents must be as specific and detailed as possible. By being detailed, you ensure that communication and contact between the parents is minimized. The following are some of the most important issues to include in a parallel parenting plan:
- The start and end of each person’s parenting time
- Specific days of visits
- Responsibility for transportation
- A specific exchange time and place
- What happens in the event of cancellation or make-up times
- When each parent has decision-making power
Since parallel parenting aims to reduce contact as much as possible, the plan lays out when and where the children will be at all times. Many parents usually use a communication book to stay in touch with their children’s lives whenever they are with the other parent. This book travels with the child to every parent’s house, with the child handing it off to the parent who is taking the children. The parent who is taking the child then writes the date and initials it. In the case of babies and toddlers, the parallel parenting book should include:
- Sleeping and feeding times
- Successful soothing methods
- Accidents and injuries
- Potty training updates
- Developmental milestones
- Medical appointments, illnesses, and medicines
For older children, it may include:
- School progress and reports
- Behavior issues
- Social activities with friends
- School, religious, and extracurricular activities
- Bed, bath, and meal routines
Get Legal Guidance on Parallel Parenting
Parallel parenting makes it easier for ex-spouses who do not want contact with each other to still effectively parent their children. A family lawyer can help you with creating a parenting plan and ensuring your arrangement is successful. Get in touch with our attorneys today at Schill Law Group for proper legal guidance on how to approach this issue.
by gary | Aug 25, 2025 | Blog
When dealing with child custody and parenting time issues in Arizona, you can opt for mediation. The approach is not only efficient, but also saves you the time and cost you would have incurred in litigation. This article explains the use of mediation in child custody and when you may need to use this approach.
Importance of Mediating Child Custody in AZ
As a well-known and appreciated means of alternative dispute resolution, mediation plays an important role in child custody. The Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedures provide mediation for every family law case involving child custody or parenting time.
In child custody cases, mediation involves the inclusion of a third party who is known as the mediator. This party helps the parents communicate, negotiate, and resolve disputes about custody and visitation arrangements without litigation. This approach not only allows you to easily and quickly reach an agreement, but it is also cost-effective. In most family law cases that use the services of a professional mediator, it is less costly to resolve custody disputes than to litigate those issues. With the aim of helping the parties toward agreement, all disputed issues have the potential for being fully resolved.
Is Mediation Required for Child Custody
Although not a necessity, most parents report a good experience in reaching agreements through mediation. The mediation facilitates the conversation and ensures that both parents get a fair chance to express their concerns. It also becomes easier for them to explore potential solutions that focus on the best interests of the child.
Child custody mediators are well-trained and neutral professionals who guide families through structured negotiations in a confidential setting. The approach adopted is child-focused and non-adversarial, aimed at fostering cooperation and helping parents arrive at a legally binding parenting plan. This makes mediation particularly useful in high-conflict cases by allowing for a customized, child-centric resolution.
When is Mediation Necessary in Child Custody
Mediation can prove to be particularly useful in cases where custody or parenting time issues are more likely to be contentious in your divorce. It becomes a suitable alternative for narrowing issues before trial. Since it is less costly and time-consuming than going to court, working with a mediator in Arizona offers a more collaborative approach to resolving child custody issues. With a good divorce and custody attorney, you get to know what to ask for in child custody negotiations and advice on what the courts may find acceptable.
How Arizona Custody Mediation Happens
The process of mediation in Arizona requires that the parents meet with the mediator to discuss issues regarding custody and parenting time. Usually, the mediator conferences with both or either party before the mediation to ensure that it is appropriate for the couple. To get started, the parties may request private mediation or through the court’s conciliation services program.
To ensure your child custody mediation in Arizona is smooth and successful, you need to ask for the following:
- Confidentiality of all the matters discussed during the mediation.
- Help with narrowing the arising issues to facilitate compromise and settlement.
- Help with avoiding the stress, expense, and unpredictable nature of a contested trial.
- Help to maintain control of the terms and provisions of a parenting agreement.
- Help with achieving an accurate sense of the relative strength of your legal position.
- Support from a certified, impartial mediator.
- Opportunities to improve parental communication.
The mediation process aims at reaching an agreement between the two parties in an amicable manner. As such, there is no reporting on what went on during the session. Every aspect of the process is kept confidential, with the parties trusting that everything discussed during the sessions will not be divulged to anyone. In this regard, the parties’ attorneys are also not permitted to attend court-sponsored mediation.
Once the issues have been settled, the mediator writes them into an agreement that is signed by the parties. Then the attorneys of the parties review the agreement and can file a timely objection with the court if needed.
Get Legal Guidance on Child Custody Mediation
While child custody mediation in Arizona is simplified and allows parties to easily get into an agreement, an attorney plays an important role in the process. To learn more about the process and get proper legal advice, get in touch with our child custody lawyers at Schill Law Group.
by gary | Aug 25, 2025 | Blog
Facing a court hearing for child custody is often a unique experience for every parent. While this is one of the major decisions for both the child and parents, it usually occurs during one of the worst times in a family’s life. Not only are you occupied with issues related to the divorce agreement, but you also need to consider the best interests of the child. In this article, we provide a brief guide on how to prepare for a child custody hearing in Phoenix, Arizona, and what to expect.
What to Expect in a Child Custody Hearing in Phoenix, AZ
Legal cases related to family law are handled under the Arizona family court system. They include cases such as divorce, child custody, alimony, and other domestic relations matters. In these cases, the court prioritizes the best interests of children and aims to resolve family disputes with reasonable solutions that can satisfy both parties. The procedure usually follows these steps:
- Trial preparation: Your child custody lawyer files all petitions in the correct jurisdiction
- Review: The lawyer goes over the process, evidence, and your testimony with you in preparation for the hearing date
- The trial date arrives.
- Attorneys present opening arguments: During the trial, both parties share their arguments, with the petitioner presenting first.
- Evidence and witness presentation: The testimony and evidence from both sides are submitted to the judge.
- Closing arguments: both sides summarize their arguments and reiterate their stance
- Final decision: After reviewing all the evidence and testimony, the judge presents a final decision on all points in the petition within 60 days
Although this process is clearly laid out, court cases often come with a few anticipated surprises. This is why you should prepare for the process with an experienced attorney to ensure you understand what to expect and have all your evidence and testimony ready.
How to Prepare for a Child Custody Hearing in AZ
As you prepare for your child custody hearing in AZ, make sure you are completely upfront with your lawyer so they understand your specific circumstances and do not face any unexpected revelations during the hearing.
It is normal to feel anxious and stressed about your child custody hearing. The attorney ensures that you understand what to expect and the proper way to respond to the proceedings. They will also help you prepare all the information needed before the hearing and show you how to best conduct yourself for the best outcome.
How to Prepare for a Custody Hearing Without a Lawyer
In addition to preparing your testimony and evidence with a child custody lawyer, you also need to make sure you are physically and emotionally ready for your hearing. It is best to observe another trial presided over by the same judge in your case to understand their thought process and help you feel more comfortable and prepared on your hearing date. It also helps to research rules and regulations for the family court in your jurisdiction to get a better understanding of what to expect.
On your hearing day, wear professional business attire as you would when attending a job interview. A dignified and conservative appearance is the expected norm in the courts. Choose neutral colors and solids, and avoid prints. Also, make sure you do the following on your hearing date:
- Arrive early: This helps you to easily find parking or log in early in the case of a virtual hearing.
- Always refer to the judge as “Your Honor.”
- Do not bring new romantic partners with you to family court
- Take your time and speak clearly when answering questions.
- Ask for clarification if you are confused about a question
- Don’t interrupt others and always show respect
- Be well-organized for your hearing.
Get an Experienced Child Custody Lawyer
Before your child custody hearing in Arizona, you need to be thoroughly prepared. Proper preparation ensures you understand what to expect. It also helps you to stay calm and present a confident image that can benefit your case. Get in touch with our experienced attorney at Schill Law Group to help you prepare and increase the chance of a favorable outcome of your child custody case.
by gary | Jul 25, 2025 | Blog
Arizona expungement laws have a unique history. It is the only method of addressing a record that does not erase or seal it from public view. Under the new law, effective from January 2023, individuals eligible for expungement can have their records sealed in Arizona. This article provides more details about expungement in Arizona, including who is eligible and how an attorney can help.
What Does Expungement Mean in Arizona?
Under Arizona law, expungement refers to the removal or erasure of an individual’s criminal record. It also refers to sealing or destroying a record for an eligible person. If you are eligible for an expungement order in Arizona, your records can be erased or removed from public view. As a result, the process removes the criminal record as if the crime never happened.
Record expungement in Arizona is not a pardon for committing a crime. It also does not remove the conviction, but expungement effectively erases a criminal record and makes it invisible to landlords, employers, the courts, and the general public. This gives the individual a chance to start over, without the worry of their criminal conviction getting in the way of jobs or housing.
Who is Eligible for Expungement?
In the recent past, Arizona has passed multiple laws that have expanded the eligibility criteria for expungement. Under ARS § 36-2862, which became effective on July 12, 2021, individuals with criminal offenses involving marijuana can petition the court for an expungement of their records. This includes arrests, convictions, and other marks on the individual’s record that relate to marijuana crimes:
- Possession, consumption, or transportation of 2.5 ounces or less of marijuana, in which less than 12.5 grams is marijuana concentrate.
- Possession, transportation, cultivation, or processing of no more than six marijuana plants at the individual’s residence for personal use.
- Possession, usage, or transportation of paraphernalia related to the cultivation, processing, manufacture, or consumption of marijuana.
ARS § 13-911 is the other new expungement law in Arizona passed on July 9, 2021. It states that a person can file a petition for expungement of his or her records after meeting certain conditions:
- Charged with a criminal offense, but the charge was then dismissed or resulted in a not-guilty verdict at trial
- Convicted of a crime and completed all terms and conditions of the court-imposed sentence.
- Arrested for a criminal offense, but no charges were ever filed.
Excluded Offenses to Clear Your Criminal Record
Arizona’s expungement laws play an important role in encouraging rehabilitation and creating new opportunities for individuals with criminal histories. However, not all offenses qualify for record sealing. Some of the offenses that may not be expunged include:
- Serious violent offenses
- Class 1 felonies
- Certain sexual offenses
- The offense of knowingly inflicting serious bodily injury on another person
- Offenses involving the use, discharge, or threatening exhibition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument
What’s the Waiting Period for Record Expungement After Filing a Petition?
If you want to file a petition for the expungement of your records, you will have to go through a state-imposed waiting period. This waiting period begins after you complete your sentence. However, in some cases, you may be able to petition the courts earlier. Depending on the severity of the offense, the waiting period can be:
- Lower-grade misdemeanors: 2 years
- Class 1 misdemeanor: 3 years
- Class 4, 5, or 6 felony: 5 years
- Class 2 or Class 3 felony: 10 years
What’s the Difference Between Dismissals and Expungements?
Expungements and dismissals are often confused, but a few key differences exist between the two. When a case is dismissed, the record will show that the charges were brought agaiants you, but were dropped without a conviction. If you were arrested, a record of that arrest is still visible and available to the public.
Felony expungement Arizona, on the other hand, involves destroying all records of your arrest and any subsequent criminal case. Unlike a dismissal where a record of the case is still available, expungement ensures that the general public’s access to your records is eliminated. This means that potential employers, landlords, and other public parties cannot access your criminal record by conducting a simple online search.
How a Criminal Attorney Can Help You Expunge Your Records
The expungement laws in Arizona are full of legal jargon, confusing terms, fine print, and provisions that can be difficult for the average person to navigate. The best approach is to consult an expungement attorney to help you understand your expungement eligibility and the significance of the newly passed laws. Our lawyers at Schill Law Group will guide you on the best available path for erasing or sealing your record. Get in touch with us today.
by gary | Jul 24, 2025 | Blog
One of the most difficult issues to navigate after a divorce is the ongoing care for children. It becomes even more difficult for unmarried parents when they separate. You have to make decisions about parenting time, healthcare, the child’s education, and even religious training. The Arizona custody laws for unmarried parents provide a framework for legal decision-making and parenting time. In this article, we cover everything you need to know.
Basics of Arizona Child Custody Laws
The AZ child custody laws for unmarried parents who are separating are largely the same as married parents going through a divorce. However, several issues may arise in establishing the paternity of the child.
When the paternity is already established, the legal decision-making process and parenting time laws are the same for both married and unmarried parents. Specifically, both parents have legal decision-making authority, which means they participate in child-rearing decisions, including healthcare, education, and religious upbringing. They must also determine the amount of time that each will spend with the child (parenting time), including over the weekends, school breaks, holidays, and any other days the parents would like to incorporate in their parenting time agreement.
When Unmarried People Cannot Agree on Child Custody
Parents in Arizona are generally encouraged to resolve issues related to legal decision-making and parenting time between themselves. However, either parent can seek resources from the court if they cannot agree or believe the child’s safety is at risk. In such a case, the parent must submit a proposed parenting plan to the court.
The parenting plan covers several issues, including how each parent would prefer to handle issues such as living arrangements related to the child. The Arizona Supreme Court provides a guide to developing a parenting plan, with guidance on specific issues such as relocation, holidays, and other special issues. However, it is best to work with an experienced family law attorney to help you draft the parenting plan. If the parents still do not reach an agreement, the Arizona court will determine legal decision-making authority and parenting time based on the child’s best interests. Some of the factors the court considers include the relationship with each parent,health and safety, the wishes in the case of older children, and their current adjustment to their home and community.
What are the Unmarried Mothers’ Rights in Arizona?
In Arizona, the mother of the child is automatically granted primary custody in unmarried couples. This grants the mother both the physical and legal custody of the children. Specifically, the mother can make decisions concerning:
- Place of Residence
- Where the child attends school
- Medical care, including mental and dental health care
- Child care programs, including camps during school breaks and after-school care
- Sports and other extracurricular activities
- Church attendance
- Vacations and travel
Although the law assumes the mother has custody in cases involving unmarried couples, it is not a foregone conclusion. If you are an unmarried father in the case, you may consider working with an experienced family lawyer to navigate the options available.
How Can You Prove Paternity for Unmarried Fathers?
The AZ child custody laws for unmarried parents state that the legal custodian of a child born out of wedlock is the mother. However, unmarried fathers can prove paternity to establish custody in either of the following ways:
Presumed Paternity
An unmarried father’s paternity is presumed if:
- A DNA test affirms a 95% likelihood that he is the father
- Both unmarried parents name the father in a notarized or legally witnessed document
- Both unmarried parents sign the child’s birth certificate
- Both parents agree to paternity and are before the court on a related matter
Court-ordered paternity testing
Court-ordered paternity testing in Arizona happens when either parent requests it. Other individuals or entities who can request testing include:
- The child’s guardian or conservator
- A public welfare official or agency
- The State
- The court determines legal decision-making authority and calculates child support
Hire Arizona Family Lawyers You Can Trust
The needs and circumstances of every family are unique. At Schill Law Group, our family lawyers are experienced in Arizona custody laws for unmarried parents and are ready to guide you through the process. Get in touch with us today and let us help you reach the best decision for your child’s continuing care.
