If you are a parent in Arizona who is seeking custody of your child, you will need to follow the proper legal procedures. There are specific steps that must be taken in order to obtain custody of a child, and if you do not follow them correctly, you may lose your chance to win custody. In this article, we will outline the steps that you need to take in order to get child custody in Arizona.

• Determine Your Eligibility

The first step to getting child custody in Arizona is determining your eligibility for it. In order to be eligible for child custody, you must be a parent of the child and live within the state of Arizona. If you do not meet these requirements, you will have difficulty obtaining custody of your child and may need to consult with an attorney who can offer advice and guidance on this matter.

• File a Petition With The Court

Once you determine that you are eligible for custody, the next step is filing a petition with the court asking for it. You will need to provide specific information about yourself in addition to indicating that you would like to get parental rights over your child. This petition will be considered by the court, who will then make a decision on whether or not to grant you custody.

• Prepare Your Case

Once you file your petition with the court and it has been reviewed, you will need to prepare your case in order to present it at a child custody hearing in front of a judge. You should gather any evidence or witnesses that may help substantiate your claim for custody and ensure that everything is organized and ready prior to going in front of the judge. This can greatly improve your chances of winning custody if presented effectively.

• Attend The Hearing And Present Your Case

After preparing your case, you will need to attend the hearing so that you can present it in front of the judge. You should have your proof and evidence ready to go so that you can respond to any questions the judge may have about your case. Make sure that everything is well-organized so that you can focus on winning the hearing rather than trying to find the information you need from your files or folders.

• Follow The Judge’s Decision

After successfully attending the hearing and presenting your case, follow whatever decision the judge makes in terms of awarding custody of your child. It is important to understand that although winning a custody hearing does not necessarily guarantee you will be awarded custody, it certainly gives you an advantage over other parents who were unable to win their hearings and will help strengthen your chances moving forward. If you are granted custody, make sure that you abide by the judge’s decision and do everything within your power to be a good parent to your child.

• Seek Modification If Necessary

If you feel that the judge’s decision is unfair or that your circumstances have changed since winning custody of your child, you may want to seek a modification of the original decision. You should consult with an attorney who can help you navigate this process so that your chances of getting what you want are improved. Keep in mind, though, that not all changes to custody arrangements are granted and there must be a compelling reason behind why a change needs to be made in order for it to occur.

• Remain Engaged In Your Child’s Life

Finally, once you have been awarded custody of your child, it is important to remain engaged in their life and continue doing everything within your power to be a good parent. This means that you should maintain regular communication with your child, show up for all of their important events and participate in any extracurricular activities they may be involved in. Remember that being a parent is more than just having physical custody of your child – it’s also about being emotionally available as well. By doing all of these things, you can help ensure that your relationship with your child will continue to grow and flourish over time.

Getting child custody in Arizona doesn’t have to be a complicated process if you know what steps to take! Follow the tips listed above so that you can feel confident about getting the outcome you want for yourself and your children moving forward.

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The attorneys at GillespieShields are well-versed in a variety of different legal fields, ranging from family law to civil suits, employment disputes and probate cases. Although we specialize in several areas of practice, our greatest passion is family law. We believe in giving families peace of mind no matter their situation, and we fight hard to maintain that peace. Whether you’re filing for dissolution or divorce, determining custody of your children, or thinking about adopting children, our experienced attorneys are here to help you every step of the way.  During our private, one-on-one consultation, we’ll take the necessary time to answer and and all of our questions surrounding Arizona’s family laws, your family’s unique situation, and the possible court outcomes. Contact us today for your consultation!

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