questions & answers

Question: I have full custody of my three girls. Ages 5, 8 and 10. My ex/their dad is very involved. My boyfriend has a legally adopted son/nephew who Is 18 years of age and a junior in high school. Who I was going to allow to live with me. My ex is threatening attorneys and fighting for custody because I am allowing this boy to live in my home. He is a good kid with no criminal history nor any record of any trouble. If I marry his dad, he will be my stepson. Does my ex have a leg to stand on? I will not risk losing custody of my daughters. Please help

Answer: Modification of a child custody (legal decision making) order is governed by Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 25-411.  Part A of the statute states the reasons for asking the court to modify custody are things like domestic violence, child abuse or any situation that might endanger the child.  The statute does mandate the court base its decisions on the best interests of the children. If you are uneasy, it would benefit you to consult an attorney. There are 3 programs in Arizona that you can use to get some inexpensive legal advice and guidance.  One is the Modest Means Program. For a $75.00 fee, the Modest Means Program will arrange a one hour consult with an experienced attorney.  The telephone number is (866) 637-5341. Both the Maricopa County Bar Association and the Pima County Bar Association have lawyer referral services that offer a 30 minute consult with an experienced attorney. Maricopa County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consultation for a fee of $40.00. The telephone number is (602) 257-4434. Pima County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consultation for a fee of $35.00.  The telephone number is (520) 623-4625.