McMurdie Law & Mediation

06/23/2026

Child support orders in Arizona are not permanent. Life changes and the law provides a pathway to modify support when those changes are significant enough to warrant a new calculation.

Under Arizona law, a modification may be appropriate when:
✔ A parent's income has significantly increased or decreased
✔ Parenting time has changed substantially
✔ The child has new healthcare, educational, or care needs
✔ The existing order is more than three years old and would result in a 15% or more change in the amount

Many modifications can be agreed upon through mediation and submitted to the court, avoiding the time and expense of a formal hearing.

Learn about modifications in Arizona:
👉 https://mcmurdielaw.com/divorce-family-law-tempe-az/modifications/

06/16/2026

As Father's Day approaches, we want to remind Arizona dads of something important: the law is on your side, but you have to use it.

Arizona family courts do not automatically favor mothers. Both parents have equal legal standing when it comes to custody, legal decision-making, and parenting time. What the court evaluates is what is in the best interest of the child, not the parent's gender.

But equal rights on paper only matter if they are properly documented, enforced, and defended. Whether you are going through a divorce, establishing paternity, or facing a modification dispute, having knowledgeable legal guidance makes all the difference.

Read more about Arizona fathers' legal rights:
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This guide walks you through legal rights for Arizona fathers and what you can do to protect your relationship with your child.

06/15/2026

When divorcing parents cannot agree on custody and parenting time, Arizona courts make the determination based on the child's best interest, applying a specific list of statutory factors set out in ARS § 25-403.

These include the child's relationship with each parent, each parent's past involvement in caregiving, the child's adjustment to home and school, the mental and physical health of all parties, and whether each parent is likely to encourage a meaningful relationship between the child and the other parent.

McMurdie Law & Mediation represents clients in both contested custody proceedings and high-conflict mediation.

Learn more: https://mcmurdielaw.com/divorce-family-law-tempe-az/custody/

06/12/2026

For many blended families, the love between a stepparent and a child is indistinguishable from a biological parent-child bond. Stepparent adoption in Arizona makes that relationship legally permanent, with all the rights, responsibilities, and protections that come with it.

Each of these steps has legal requirements and timelines. An experienced family law attorney ensures nothing is missed and that the process reflects the family's best interests from start to finish.

Read our detailed guide on stepparent adoption in Arizona:
👉 https://mcmurdielaw.com/understanding-stepparent-adoption-in-arizona/

06/11/2026

Before a divorce can be filed in Arizona, state law requires that at least one spouse has lived in Arizona for a minimum of 90 days. Additionally, the petition must be filed in the correct county, where either spouse currently resides.

Filing in the wrong jurisdiction or before residency requirements are met can result in dismissal and additional delays. Consulting an attorney before filing ensures your case starts on the right footing.

Learn more about the divorce process: https://mcmurdielaw.com/divorce-family-law-tempe-az/

06/08/2026

Divorces among couples over 50 often called "gray divorce" are increasing across the country, and Arizona is no exception. While the absence of young children can simplify some aspects of the process, the financial complexities are often far greater than those in younger divorces.

Learn about gray divorce in Arizona:
👉 https://mcmurdielaw.com/divorce-family-law-tempe-az/

📞 (480) 777-5500 | mcmurdielaw.com/contact-us/

06/06/2026

Arizona courts can issue temporary orders for child support, spousal maintenance, custody, and use of the marital home while a divorce is pending. These orders take effect quickly and remain in place until the divorce is finalized.

Learn more: https://mcmurdielaw.com/divorce-family-law-tempe-az/
📞 (480) 777-5500 · Tempe, AZ

06/06/2026

Summer break is exciting for kids, but for divorced or separated parents, it can be one of the most legally and emotionally challenging times of the year. Competing vacation requests, out-of-state travel, and schedule changes that weren't anticipated in your original parenting plan can quickly lead to tension.

The solution? Address it now, before the conflict starts.

Summer parenting plan mediation gives both parents a structured, neutral space to:
✔ Adjust parenting time for summer schedules
✔ Set clear expectations for travel, how much notice is required, what details must be shared
✔ Agree on how vacation costs are divided
✔ Create a workable plan both parents can actually follow

Agreements reached in mediation can be formalized and submitted to the court, making them legally enforceable.

Read our blog on summer co-parenting and mediation:
👉 https://mcmurdielaw.com/mediating-summer-break-disputes-and-sharing-vacation-parenting-time/

06/03/2026

One of the most common questions we hear from couples both engaged and already married is: "What exactly is the difference between a prenuptial and a postnuptial agreement, and do we need one?"

Both legal documents serve the same core purpose: clarifying each spouse's financial rights, asset ownership, and obligations before those issues become disputed. The key difference is timing.

A prenuptial agreement is drafted and signed before the wedding. A postnuptial agreement is entered into after the marriage has already begun. Both are legally enforceable in Arizona when properly executed.

Read our full breakdown of prenuptial vs. postnuptial agreements:
👉 https://mcmurdielaw.com/prenuptial-vs-postnuptial-agreement-whats-the-difference/