In most Family Law matters at some point you will need to prepare an Affidavit of Financial Information. This is essentially a snap shot of your financial status at that point in time, providing your monthly living expenses, your monthly income, and your debts.
You must also include a copy of your last several paycheck stubs, showing your gross and net income, and deductions. Often the information must be deciphered, to identify what a particular deduction is for, i.e., health insurance, life insurance, short or long term disability, 401(K) or other retirement, etc.
You must also attach copies of your prior three years tax returns. My suggestion would be to include your W-2's, especially if any of the returns were joint returns, so your annual income can be more readily identified.
Maintaining your personal records in an orderly manner will assist you when you have to prepare an Affidavit of Financial Information.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Beware of Delay
Many clients wind up being unsuccesful in obtaining the relief that they desire from the legal system due to their delay in initiating action.
Statutes of limitation are laws which impose a deadline by which you must take action. Unfortunately it can also happen that a ruling from one of the two divisions of the Arizona Court of Appeals establishes a precedent that the plain reading of a particular statute, or the facts and circumstances of a different fact pattern, would seem to cry out for a different result.
Family Court judges take an oath to follow the law in their rulings, even though their personal beliefs as to the result from a particular matter or fact pattern may differ from the rulings of an appellate court. The only relief would be an appeal to a court of appeals, hoping for a change in the law.
The lesson is to not sit on your rights, or causes of action, as delay may result in an unfavorable result.
Statutes of limitation are laws which impose a deadline by which you must take action. Unfortunately it can also happen that a ruling from one of the two divisions of the Arizona Court of Appeals establishes a precedent that the plain reading of a particular statute, or the facts and circumstances of a different fact pattern, would seem to cry out for a different result.
Family Court judges take an oath to follow the law in their rulings, even though their personal beliefs as to the result from a particular matter or fact pattern may differ from the rulings of an appellate court. The only relief would be an appeal to a court of appeals, hoping for a change in the law.
The lesson is to not sit on your rights, or causes of action, as delay may result in an unfavorable result.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Take care of thiose who depend on you
Unfortunately many of us put off preparing our wills, or other estate planning tools until it is too late.
A young couple, especially one with children, should at the very least have prepared wills, and the supporting power of attorney documents, to protect one another and their families in the event of an accident that incapacitates them.
Young parents should reflect upon who they wish to care for their children in the event of a common accident. They should also determine who would best protect the financial resources of the children. This might be the same person, but then it might not be, and it is imperative that a couple discuss these important issues.
If you are in a common accident, your medical powers of attorney should reflect whom you would want to make medical decisions on your behalf. Think these things through and talk about them between yourselves.
We all think that accidents will only happen to "the other guy". Planning ahead can only make the circumstance better for your children, and extended family. It is important to let your wishes be known, in writing. That's what a will can do for parents of children under 18.
A young couple, especially one with children, should at the very least have prepared wills, and the supporting power of attorney documents, to protect one another and their families in the event of an accident that incapacitates them.
Young parents should reflect upon who they wish to care for their children in the event of a common accident. They should also determine who would best protect the financial resources of the children. This might be the same person, but then it might not be, and it is imperative that a couple discuss these important issues.
If you are in a common accident, your medical powers of attorney should reflect whom you would want to make medical decisions on your behalf. Think these things through and talk about them between yourselves.
We all think that accidents will only happen to "the other guy". Planning ahead can only make the circumstance better for your children, and extended family. It is important to let your wishes be known, in writing. That's what a will can do for parents of children under 18.
Friday, August 10, 2012
When you want to call or meet with your attorney
It happens to all of us. We finally have the opportunity to speak to someone so we can have our questions answered. Then the burning questions, the information we have been so anxious for, simply flies from our minds.
Do yourself a favor, and write those questions down. Then not only will you have your answers, but you will get them in an orderly fashion, without having to search your memory. And by the way, this little tip can save you fees, expediting your time with your attorney, or his or her staff!
Do yourself a favor, and write those questions down. Then not only will you have your answers, but you will get them in an orderly fashion, without having to search your memory. And by the way, this little tip can save you fees, expediting your time with your attorney, or his or her staff!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Coming changes to the language of cases involving children
The State legislature has made some important changes to the words we use when the parties to a dissolution have common minor children.
Effective January 1, 2013 we will be talking about "legal decision making", "joint legal decision making", "sole legal decision making" rather than a designation of "custody", and much of the language we have used in family law matters will be changing.
We attorneys will be studying the changes to prepare for the future, and how to best represent our clients.
Effective January 1, 2013 we will be talking about "legal decision making", "joint legal decision making", "sole legal decision making" rather than a designation of "custody", and much of the language we have used in family law matters will be changing.
We attorneys will be studying the changes to prepare for the future, and how to best represent our clients.
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