i am getting ready to file legal separation papers, and would like to make sure they are filled out properly before i submit them. I don't have alot of extra financial resources at the moment to pay the consulting fee... any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. my husband and i pretty much agree on all terms..
Hi Stace!
I do know of a law firm that gives free consultations for child custody issues/divorce etc., Cantor Simon. The law firm Cantor Simon is located in Tempe on Broadway and the 101.
If you're looking for cheap legal advice, go to the ASU law school. They offer services to the community. They are supervised. My husband went to them when we needed to make sure paperwork was in order. Just keep in mind that their services are basic and they can't represent you in court.
Best bet is to find a notary public. They typically know what you're talking about. I mean I haven't done separation papers, but they knew what I was talking about re: Last Will & Testament. And a signed notary public in AZ is only $2.00 per signature. So much cheaper than Cali at $10.00 per signature.
Oh and I went thru UPS Store on Pecos/McQueen. Call ahead to make sure there is someone to do it and ask questions before you get there.
HI Stace, I don't have any advice on who would look over your papers, but I would say if you are going to divorce to skip the separation and just file for divorce. It will cost you another few hundred to file for divorce after filing for separation. Especially if you guys are agreeing on everything...been there, done that. Let me know if you have any questions. I filed on 4/12 and was divorced on 6/28, it's fast and I have kids too. I went thru "The Divorce Store" in Mesa. The total cost was $695 (more because of kids involved) and they did everything for me, especially since we agreed on everything. So there are some low cost options for you. Let me know if you have questions and good luck, it's a tough thing to go thru! F. www.agentlady.com
Hi Stace, so I know my answer will be the most hated but I don't think you should get divorced before separated. It sounds like you are amicable enough to work out a separation then it may be possible, given space and time to think that a saved marriage can happen. It's not easy, I was exactly where you are right now and I finally gave up my struggle of being an overworked, always tense and argumentative woman to God. I asked for His help when I wasn't even a spiritual person. My husband and I are now Christians and our marriage is closer because of God. There is more than divorce as an option, pray. And try to see the movie Fireproof. yes, the acting is bad but the message for marriages is needed. I will be praying for you and your family. Mostly for you as I know how hard it is for families right now and being overworked isn't cause for celebration either- you need a break! Give it to God he is waiting for you.
my dad is a divorce and child custody attorney in Tucson and does a lot of pro bono work for the Catholic church - he or his secretary may be able to answer a few questions for you - let me know if you would like their contact info
Hi Stace, hope this info is not too late. Here is a few sites/places you can search. www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov, once on the page go to the right & click on self service center on next page click on court forms and next page click on family court. This will lead you to choose Legal Separation with or without kids, it gives you forms, instructions on how to fill out and how to file with court. If you are low or on limited income you can ask the court to waive or defer your filing fee which is over $200. dollars. You can also call "FLAP" short for Family Lawyers Assistance Program, there # is ###-###-#### & make an appointment for advice it's free or $35.00 depending on your income. FLAP will not fill out your forms but can go over them with you if you have them all filled out. Hope this is of help to you. JV
Generally in the state of Arizona at least it is the same price to file for separation as it is for divorce. To be honest. If you are looking to eventually get divorced. Just file for that. You can go to a company called "The Divorce Store" they have paralegals that can fill the paperwork out for you and are generally just a fee of $199 or something like that.
Here in Maricopa county where I live I can log online at the court website and I can print off all the paperwork and fill it out myself.
Good Luck,
just wondering if you have gone through the trouble of filing out separation papers why not just do the divorce papers. they are pretty self explanatory, yucan get them form a website. i jsut did them for my brother. here it cost 198 to file but i think it jsut went up to about 260.once they are filed you will be ordered to go through mediatin for child support and division of proerty but if you all are getting along it should be pretty easy then you have the court hearing and the dissolution. i guess what im trying to say is that if you file separatin papers then maybe you have some hope of reconciliation and maybe you should spend that money on some counseling first.
