Family Law

Prenuptial Agreements

The ASU Student Legal Assistance attorney can discuss the reasons for drafting a Prenuptial Agreement, the requirements to make these agreements effective, and the legal effects of such agreements. Given this information, the parties can decide whether or not preparation of a Prenuptial Agreement is appropriate. The attorney can review drafts of proposed agreements and provide feedback on the content.

Divorce and Annulment Information

The attorney can advise people seeking annulment or dissolution of marriage in cases with or without children. The office staff can prepare the documents needed for an uncontested dissolution at no charge.

Spousal or Relationship Issues

The attorney can counsel students concerning harassment, abuse or violence by a spouse or another person. In these types of situations, there are a number of resources available on the campus and in the community, and the attorney can help determine the most appropriate course of action.

Concerns About Children

Paternity, Child Custody, Visitation and Child Support Guidelines are issues about which information and advice is available from the attorney at ASU Student Legal Assistance. In many cases, the office can supply documents for filing with the Court. Joint Custody Parenting Plan forms are available, as well as paperwork to obtain temporary child support orders or modification of child support.

Guardianship

The Guardian of a minor child is the person appointed by the Court to be the Guardian of a child until the age of 18 years, with the powers and responsibilities of a parent.

In some cases, a Special Power of Attorney may be used instead of going through a time-consuming Court process. This Power of Attorney allows the Appointee to exercise all powers of a parent with respect to the care, custody, and property of the minor child, except the power to consent to marriage or adoption, and is limited to six months duration.

ASU Student Legal Assistance can prepare the paperwork for uncontested divorces or the attorney can review documents a student has prepared. The Maricopa County Self-Service Center has some forms on-line and provides a more comprehensive form service for people who visit their Superior Court locations. This service is especially useful if the ASU Student Legal Assistance office is unable to provide direct assistance because of Arizona Board of Regents restrictions on our service.

The Self-Service Center is designed to help people help themselves in court. It has general information about court cases in divorce, paternity, child support or child custody, and guardianships. The Self-Service Center also has court forms with instructions to assist in the preparation of the forms. The Self-Service Center also provides lists of lawyers and mediators who can provide advice or assistance.

Maricopa County Superior Court Self-Service Center

Location : Downtown Phoenix, 101 West Jefferson, 1st Floor Law Library, ( South side of Jefferson at 1st Avenue).
Hours : 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for Court holidays.

Location : Mesa, 222 East Javelina Drive, 1st Floor, ( South of Superstition Freeway, West of Mesa Drive)
Hours : 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for Court holidays.

Location : Surprise, 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane in Surprise (south of Bell Rd., West of Dysart Rd.)