When you are faced with an important life decision regarding a family legal issue, the advice and assistance of a skilled lawyer can be crucial to your understanding of the issues involved, and the ultimate outcome.
As dedicated and compassionate Phoenix Family lawyers, and a father and son team, we decided to practice law in order to help people. Family law was the best area that we could find to help others better their circumstances.
Our firm offers personal service so that you are always well informed about what is happening in your case, and can make intelligent decisions. You will deal directly with us on all important issues throughout your case and not paralegals or other staff.
We advocate for you so that you can feel you have been heard by the court. We also understand the cost of a divorce can be great, and we offer many different payment options. We work with and for you, not just for a fee.
Contact our firm today if you or a loved one needs legal assistance with any of the following:
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- Child Access and related CPS matters
- Property and Debt Division
- Spousal Support (Alimony)
- Modifications
- Prenuptial Agreements
- Estate Planning before and after Divorce
Collins & Collins, LLP was founded in 1980 after senior partner C. Robert Collins resigned as a Phoenix Police Sergeant and graduated from law school in order to support his growing family. His sons joined the firm after Mr. Collins returned to Arizona in 1993, and after practicing law in Washington State for 9 years and Utah for 5 years, where he continues to be licensed.
Joseph Collins joined the firm in 1996, and Jon joined in 2003. Other associates include a son in law. All have been trained by Mr. Collins.
Our firm continues to hold licenses to practice law before the United States Supreme Court and many other state and federal jurisdictions. We have handled cases that have resulted in new case law in both Arizona and Washington, and have been instrumental in having laws changed in Utah to protect battered women. We also took one of the largest verdicts in Arizona against the Internal Revenue Service for discrimination against an employee in the work force.
In addition, we have settled more than $1 million for family law related personal injury claims in the year 2009.
If you or a loved one needs the help of an experienced Phoenix Family lawyer, call Collins & Collins, LLP today at 866-698-5095, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule a free consultation.
Practice Areas and Legal Definitions
Divorce:
A court of law is the only way one can obtain a divorce decree, dissolution, legal separation, nullity or other form of terminating a marriage. Other than the termination of the marital estate, the court also has jurisdiction to resolve other issues that are intertwined in the existing marriage which include, but are not limited to: custody and visitation rights, division of property of the marital estate, spousal support, child support, restraining orders, etc.
Child Custody:
Custody is the charge and control of a child, including the right to make all major decisions such as education, religious upbringing, training, health and welfare. Custody usually refers to a combination of physical custody and legal custody. Many factors influence an award of custody and the way a case is presented in court can have a large impact on the result for you and your children. If you are awarded the children as a primary custodial parent, it has far reaching consequences both to you and to their well-being and development.
Child Support:
Child support is a periodic payment made to a custodial parent from a non-custodial parent to help compensate a child's living expenses, i.e. food, clothes, etc., and any other related debts. When one parent is awarded sole custody, as in the event of a divorce, the non-custodial parent is required to fulfill his or her child support obligation by making set payments, whereas the custodial parent meets his or her support obligation through the custody itself. When parents are awarded joint custody in a divorce, however, the support obligation is shared and is based on a ratio of each parent's income and the amount of time the child spends with each parent.
The obligation to support minor children cannot be waived by either parent and is a right enjoyed by the child, not the parent. Each state has guidelines that factor the amount of child support, such as the amount of time spent with the child, the income of both parents and the standard of living the child is accustomed to. ; The court may allow deductions for items such as catastrophic medical expenses and travel expenses for visitation.
Spousal Support (Alimony):
Alimony is temporary or permanent financial support paid from one separated spouse to the other, either in one lump sum or in installments. ; Alimony is designed to provide the lower-income spouse with money for living expenses over and above the money provided by child support. Alimony differs from child support because it is at the discretion of the judge. Child support is usually determined by state-sanctioned guidelines.
There are several factors a judge considers when deciding whether to grant alimony. These differ from state to state, of course, but they usually involve things like the parties' relative ability to earn money, both now and in the future; their respective age and health; the length of the marriage; the kind of property involved, and the conduct of the parties. In general, about the only time a judge will award alimony in most states is where one spouse has been economically dependent on the other spouse for most of a lengthy marriage.
Property and Debt Division:
Marital property attained during marriage, regardless of whose name it is under, can be divided. Marital property can include real estate (including a home bought in contemplation of marriage), pension plans, vehicles, bank accounts, income tax refunds and/or household furnishings. However, property that is inherited by one spouse is not considered marital property, i.e. a family business or estate. If you are contractually bound with your ex-spouse on a debt, the creditor can require the entire payment of that debt from your share of the community property even though the divorce decree assigns the debt to your ex-spouse. Depending on the terms of your divorce decree, you may be able to have certain support obligations under the divorce decree determined to be non-dischargeable by the bankruptcy court or in state court.
Prenuptial Agreements:
A prenuptial, or premarital agreement (often referred to as a "pre-nup") is a written contract created by two individuals who plan to be married. This agreement lists all individually owned property, such as homes and businesses, family assets, stocks and bonds, savings accounts as well as debts, and specifies what will and will not remain individually owned property after the legalization of marriage. Prenuptial agreements also specify whether spousal support will be paid in the event of a divorce, and the intentions regarding distribution of individually owned property upon death.
A factor that cannot be stipulated in a prenuptial agreement is child support. A couple cannot lawfully agree in a prenuptial agreement that either part will in no way be responsible for child support. Also, a few states do not allow prenuptial agreements to modify or eliminate the right of a spouse to receive court-ordered alimony at divorce, although a prenuptial agreement can facilitate in the degree of compensation.
If you or a loved one needs the help of an experienced Phoenix Family lawyer, call Collins & Collins, LLP today at 866-698-5095, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule a free consultation.If you or a loved one needs the help of an experienced Phoenix Family lawyer, call Collins & Collins, LLP today at 866-698-5095, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule a free consultation.
ADDRESS OF THE FIRM:
Collins & Collins, LLP
3241 East Shea Blvd.
Suite 1
Phoenix, AZ 85028
Phone: 866-698-5095
Hours: M-F, 8:00AM-5:00PM
MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:
Attorney Joseph E. Collins
- Jurisdictions Attorney is Licensed in: Arizona
- Date Admitted to the Bar: 1997
- Colleges Attended, Degree & Year Graduated: Brigham Young University, B.A., Political Science, 1993;Oklahoma City Law School, J.D., 1997
- Professional Memberships & Achievements: Volunteer Lawyers – Maricopa County; Family Law Lawyer of the year 2009; Top 50 pro bono lawyers 2002.