In the eyes of the law pets are considered property.  But for many people, pets are considered part of the family, and are more like children than property.  During a divorce, it can be difficult to determine who ultimately ends up with the family pet.  Fluffy and Fido mean more to most people than to simply list them with the couch and the TV.

A good attorney will listen to the client’s concerns about their family pet, and can help to draft the exact language which can be similar to  a child custody agreement which can be incorporated into the final divorce documents.  Do not be afraid to speak up and ask questions on behalf of your pets. The court will want to know if the dog or other pet was a gift, who takes care of it, who pays to take care of it, who takes it for walks, takes it to the vet, who brushes it, and who the pet is bonded with the most.

The days of privacy and anonymity are long gone.  Savvy lawyers are now able to find anything online, including photos and evidence from job networking sites, and Facebook posts.  It is important to consider this when going through a divorce, and in the process of any litigation.  Recall that even with the most private and secure settings it is possible to gain access to these sites, or for someone else to gain access to these sites.  Therefore, it is very important to use common sense and discretion when using social networking sites during the dissolution process.  A good rule of thumb would be not to post anything you wouldn’t want the entire world to see, or that you wouldn’t want the Judge to see.  After all, do you really want to air your dirty laundry on Facebook?

The length of a couple’s marriage is very important in the determination of a potential spousal maintenance award.  It is taken into consideration twice: first when a Judge is determining whether a party is entitled to an award of spousal maintenance; and second to determine the amount and duration of the award.  Several other factors are taken into account along with the length of the marriage including a party’s ability to become self-supporting, or their ability to be self-sufficient; the party’s age; the standard of living established during the marriage; and the comparative financial resources of the parties (see A.R.S. §25-319 for a complete list of factors a Court may consider in granting or denying a request for spousal maintenance).

It is just as easy to fall into the trap of thinking you can handle your own divorce proceedings through the courts and that is where the very dangers lie. Using these template legal forms (and the instructions that are also available) provide many reasons that the best approach to any legal matter makes seeking the advice of an attorney the practical and usually less costly approach. Here are merely a few:

1. When you represent yourself in Court, you are held to the very same standard of an attorney when you deal with our legal system;

2. Simply, you do not know what you do not know and not knowing can, and usually does, lead to those costly mistakes I have described above that have the potential of haunting you for years to come;

3. Experience shows that although you may think you know and understand those forms, chances are that you probably do not understand the legal significance they have. Forms do NOT anticipate future problems or provide protection from them and forms do not counsel you on the possible additional legal documents that may be required.

4. Non-lawyers are, by law, barred from giving you legal advice, suggest legal strategies, or advise you of your legal rights.

As attorneys, we are here to guide you through the legal process of divorce with you and WITHOUT the emotional stress that is inherent in matters of this type. Our clients benefit from peace of mind, answers to their questions, and done in the strict confidence of attorney-client privilege. Best of all our attorneys and staff are available when necessary in dealing with the sensitive nature sometimes unfortunately common to a divorce proceeding. The BEST LAW FIRM prides itself in being here to help you help yourself. We are committed to resolving problems and issues not add to them.