Welcome to ELLSWORTH FAMILY LAW We Provide Skilled Attorneys to All Cities Surrounding Phoenix Arizona With Lawyers Specialized in Divorce and Family Law The Law Firm of Steven M. Ellsworth, P.C was established in 2003 by Mr. Ellsworth as a specialty law firm providing legal representation in all Family Law matters. Since that time, the firm has grown to include an additional family law attorney, Glenn D. Halterman, along with three paralegals and other highly trained support staff. Mr. Ellsworth has been practicing law in Arizona since 1989 and is a Certified Family Law Specialist. Our office in Mesa, Arizona, is conveniently located near the Mesa and Phoenix branches of the Maricopa County Superior Court. The attorneys for the firm also regularly appear in the Pinal County Superior Court located in Florence, Arizona. The information contained herein is intended to give general information on the legal subjects covered and is not a substitute for legal advice. You should contact one of the attorneys at The Law Firm of Steven M. Ellsworth, P.C for specific advice on your particular situation in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, and all areas surrounding Phoenix Arizona AZ.
Sean started working as general manager for us in January of 2024. He previously worked for Amazon, his first job after receiving his Master’s of Business Administration. His undergraduate degree was in marketing and so we realized he was perfectly suited to manage and market for our law firm and to help build up our sister company, Arizona Divorce Mediation Center. Sean is a native of Arizona and the 4th child of our managing partner, Steve Ellsworth. He worked for us briefly while still in High School, so he was already familiar with our firm dynamic. Sean brings a fresh take and lots of enthusiasm to our team and is eager to help make us even more productive as a firm.
Child Support
Child support can be easily calculated under the Arizona Child Support Guidelines after several other variables have been determined. Specifically, the following information is required to calculate child support...
Child Custody and Visitation
Child custody in Arizona is based on the best interests of the children. When the parents do not agree on custodial arrangements, a judge must consider all relevant factors, including such things as the wishes of the parents and the child, the child’s relationship with each parent and other significant persons in the child’s life, the mental and physical health of all individuals involved, whether one parent has provided primary care for the child in the past, which parent is more likely to allow the child a meaningful relationship with the other parent, and any history of domestic violence or substance abuse. In cases where the parents do not agree, the judge must determine who will have legal custody, or decision-making authority, as well as the amount of time the child or children will spend with each parent.
Adoption
Paternity
Premarital Agreement
Premarital agreements can afford a person protection and peace of mind before entering a marriage. Arizona is a community property state, which makes a prenup important if a person wishes to protect their assets and/or obligations coming into the marriage. In a community property state, any assets gained during the marriage is the property of the marital community, unless that person brought the asset into the marriage and/or inherits the asset without co-mingling either type of asset. Community property is divided by the courts equally between the spouses at the time of divorce. Additionally, spouses may lay claim to the increase in the value of assets (such as a business, real estate, investment accounts, etc.) even if those assets were brought into the marriage as sole and separate property.
Spousal Support
This is commonly known as “alimony”. The amount paid to the spouse who makes the least will vary based on income, years married and other factors. The attorneys can help with calculations that can be discussed with both parties. If this amount cannot be agreed upon between the parties out of court, the judge will ultimately decide the amount, who gets paid and for how long. Come in and get all your questions asked from one of our excellent attorneys.
Legal Separation
In Arizona, a legal separation can be a strategic way to protect your assets without getting an actual divorce. A legal separation terminates the marital community just as if the parties had sought after a divorce. During the proceedings, the court looks at all of the community property/debt and equally divides it between the husband and wife. However, for all legal purposes, the marital community remains and the couple is still husband and wife.
Annulment
Unless you have entered into a “covenant marriage” (a marriage license that requires premarital counseling, must be specifically requested by the parties and only became available starting in 1998), you will be able to get a divorce in Arizona if you believe your marriage is irretrievably broken. There is no need to prove adultery, abuse or any other grounds for divorce. If you have entered into a “covenant marriage,” a divorce will not be granted unless both parties agree or the party against whom the divorce has been filed has committed adultery, has committed a felony and has been sentenced to prison, has abandoned or abused the spouse filing for divorce, or has habitually used drugs or alcohol. A person must also prove specific grounds to get an annulment. If you wish to seek an annulment or dissolve a “covenant marriage,” you should speak with one of our attorneys to determine whether you have sufficient grounds.
Ellsworth Family Law, P.C. was established in 2003 by Mr. Ellsworth, a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of Arizona, as a specialty law firm providing legal representation in all Family Law Matters. Since that time the firm has grown to include two additional attorneys, Glenn D. Halterman, who is also a Certified Family Law Specialist, and F. Taylor Larson, who also handles family law and personal injury matters. We also have two legal paraprofessionals and two highly trained paralegals working as a team to ensure that all matters are handled professionally and as efficiently as possible. The services provided by the firm have been expanded to also include mediation, arbitration, and personal injury.