We help good people through difficult life events ★★★★★
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2017- 2026
If you’re thinking about divorce or already in the middle of one, you probably have a lot of questions—and that’s completely normal. At Hirsch Talcott, we’ve helped hundreds of Phoenix residents navigate divorce with confidence, clarity, and compassion. We know this process can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make big life decisions in uncertain times. That’s why our divorce lawyers put together this list of frequently asked questions to help you feel more prepared. Fill out the form now for a free case evaluation.
This Phoenix divorce lawyer FAQ covers the most common questions we receive about Arizona divorce laws, custody, property division, alimony, and more. These answers are meant to give you a solid starting point—but nothing replaces personalized advice from an experienced attorney. When you’re ready, we’re here.
General Divorce Questions
How do I start the divorce process in Phoenix?
You begin by filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in Maricopa County Superior Court. Our firm handles the paperwork for you.
Do I have to prove fault to get a divorce?
No. Arizona is a no-fault divorce state. You don’t need to prove wrongdoing—just that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
How long does a divorce take in Arizona?
There’s a 60-day waiting period after your spouse is served, but most cases take several months depending on complexity.
Do I need a lawyer if we agree on everything?
It’s still a good idea. We’ll review your agreement, file it properly, and ensure your rights are protected.
Child Custody & Support Questions
How does Arizona decide custody?
Courts consider the best interests of the child, including each parent’s relationship with the child, stability, and ability to co-parent.
What is legal decision-making?
It refers to the right to make major decisions about the child’s education, healthcare, and well-being. It can be joint or sole.
Can custody be changed after divorce?
Yes. Either parent can request a modification if there’s a significant change in circumstances.
How is child support calculated?
Arizona uses an income-based formula that includes both parents’ incomes, parenting time, health insurance, and childcare expenses.
Property, Alimony & Financial Questions
What’s community property?
Anything earned or acquired during the marriage—like income, real estate, or retirement accounts—is considered jointly owned and split equally.
Am I entitled to alimony?
It depends on several factors: the length of the marriage, income differences, age, health, and your ability to be self-sufficient.
Can I keep what I owned before marriage?
Usually yes. Separate property (pre-marriage assets or inheritances) generally remain yours unless commingled with marital property.
I’m very grateful for the help I received from Hirsch Talcott. From the beginning, the team was professional, responsive, and truly cared about my case. They took the time to explain every step of the process and made sure I understood my options. Their attention to detail and dedication gave me a lot of confidence during a stressful time. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for knowledgeable and trustworthy legal representation. Thank you for fighting and winning for me!
Response from the owner:Andrew, we truly appreciate you sharing your experience. It means a lot to hear that our team’s responsiveness, attention to detail, and commitment gave you confidence during a stressful time. Helping clients understand their options and feel supported throughout the process is always our goal.
Thank you for your trust and for recommending our firm. We’re grateful we could fight for you and achieve a successful outcome.
Chelsie Talcott Phoenix’s Trusted Law Firm for Personal Injury and Family Law
The process was a bit long, and worrisome at times. But when you stand tall and trust, it all smooths out. It was easy to trust such great people who were so friendly and skilled in their vocation. Trust this team with no regrets.
Response from the owner:John, thank you for sharing such an honest and thoughtful perspective. Long cases bring real stress, and your patience and trust mattered throughout the process. We’re glad our team earned that trust and helped things move forward with clarity and care.
We truly appreciate your confidence and kind recommendation.
Chelsie Talcott Phoenix’s Trusted Law Firm for Personal Injury and Family Law
Jack, Chelsie, Ciera, Bryan, Jason and the rest of the Hirsch Talcott team have been amazing to work with! -- With my case coming to a close after a year, they have been attentive, careful, diligent, and fair in representing me! This is now my second case in which they have helped me with and I will happily refer them to anyone I know. Thanks again for everything TEAM!
Response from the owner:Jason, we truly appreciate you taking the time to share this. Working with you again has been an honor, and we’re grateful for the trust you placed in our entire team. Staying attentive, careful, and fair throughout a long case matters, and we’re glad you felt supported all the way to the finish.
Thank you for the referrals and for recognizing the team effort. We’re always here for you.
Chelsie Talcott Phoenix’s Trusted Law Firm for Personal Injury and Family Law
Chelsie and her entire staff were phenomenal. They were easy to get a hold of, made every aspect of the legal process stress free and easy from a client perspective, and lastly were extremely informative, answering every question I had. I would 100% recommend this law firm to anyone without hesitation. I could not be more satisfied with the outcome of my case and the way in which it was handled. Thank you, Chelsie!
Response from the owner:Ben, thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I’m so glad to hear our team made the process feel easy and stress free for you. Keeping clients informed and supported is something we take pride in, and it means a lot to know that stood out.
We’re grateful for your trust and your strong recommendation. It was an honor to help you reach a successful outcome.
Chelsie Talcott Phoenix’s Trusted Law Firm for Personal Injury and Family Law
They worked super hard for me and made everything easy. I didn't have to do much and they kept me in the loop on everything. My husband and I have used them twice now and each time They were super professional, able to answer all of our question, and worked really hard to help us with our car accidents. Would recommend them.
Response from the owner:Sarah, thank you for such a kind and thoughtful review. We’re so glad you and your husband felt supported and well taken care of throughout both cases. Our goal is always to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible while keeping you informed every step of the way.
We truly appreciate your continued trust and recommendation—it means the world to our team.
Chelsie Talcott Phoenix’s Trusted Law Firm for Personal Injury and Family Law
Fill out the form now for a free case evaluation.
How We Work for You
Divorce and child custody matters can be stressful for everyone involved. The stress of these matters makes it difficult to think clearly. Hiring an attorney allows the attorney to focus on the legal matters, while you focus on your family.
You send us your case
Getting started is simple. Share the your case details with us for a free case review, so we can assess and explore how we can help you.
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We build your case
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Our dedicated team gets to work immediately, collecting evidence, and handling all the paperwork to strengthen your claim.
We fight for your rights
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If we take your case, we pursue aggressively to secure the compensation and results you deserve, every step of the way.
