A petition for guardianship under Title 14 is typically filed with the parents’ consent and can be revoked by either parent at any time. If a parent(s)will not consent to guardianship, consider exploring other options, such as a special power of attorney or filing for third-party visitation or grandparents in family court  . Whether you know a child in need or have already been caring for a child long-term as part of their“village” (without a guardianship), you should speak with an attorney to best promote the child’s future . On behalf of Guymon Law, we offer a heartfelt thank you to those who have bettered the lives of children by being part of their “village.”

BY JOANNA A. MEDRANO
EDITS BY AMBER L. GUYMON

The post It Takes A Village appeared first on Guymon Law.

While the holidays may have come and gone, the challenges of navigating co-parenting relationships often continue. Amid the celebrations, resolutions, and fresh starts, it is easy to overlook the emotional stress that can arise in co-parenting situations. Co-parents often experience emotional hurdles such as grief, guilt, financial pressures, and resentment, which can make the start of the new year feel overwhelming. It’s crucial to acknowledge that these feelings are normal, and rather than ignoring them, you can focus on managing them in a positive and healthy way as you enter the new year.

Here are some tips to help redirect your focus and start the year off on the right foot:

• Create new, positive traditions.

• Find ways to give back to the community.

• Create achievable goals with your children or for yourself.

• Emphasize quality over quantity during the time you do have with your children.

• Let go of comparisons.

• Listen to your own needs by practicing self-compassion, and seek support from friends, family, or a counselor to help process feelings of loss.

Co-parenting is rarely without its difficulties, but by effectively managing your emotional stress and challenges, regardless of others’ behavior, you can set yourself up for success during the new year. This approach promotes an atmosphere of respect and kindness, significantly contributing to your overall happiness and well-being. Embodying these values fosters a positive environment and positions you as a role model for your children, encouraging them to embrace similar behaviors in their lives. As you move into the new year, please remember to give yourself grace. Embrace the opportunity for a fresh start, take care of yourself, and set the intention to approach co-parenting with a sense of peace ,positivity, and love. You deserve it.

BY ALISON ANDERS AND SARAH WERNER

The post Embracing A Fresh Start appeared first on Guymon Law.

Given the complexities of executive divorces, the best way to protect yourself is to retain a family law firm equipped to assess your matter and provide you with a comprehensive team to achieve the best possible outcome. The parties to executive divorces can range from professionals to self-employed owners/presidents of companies, executives (employees, officers, directors, or shareholders of companies or institutions), to those who must consider generational or family wealth and assets. Determining the rights and assets of the respective parties requires advanced knowledge in areas such as uncoveringhidden assets; complex past, present, and futurecompensation packages; business partnershipsor professional practices; retirement or pensioninterests; deferred compensation; investments; stock options; equity positions; appreciation of separate property interests; taxes; real estate; vehicles/boats/aircraft; appraisals of jewelry, collectibles, antiques ,and valuable artwork; debts, judgments, and legalobligations; tracing separate property; and pre- or post-nuptial agreements.

Our attorneys have decades of combined experience and have developed an extensive team of professionals and specialists to provide excellent, multifaceted services and representation. From lenders, REALTORS®, forensic accountants, and tax attorneys to life coaches and counselors for individuals, children ,and co-parenting, we are here to navigate and support you through this complicated, emotional, and highly stressful time .

It’s complicated. Guymon Law is the solution!

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Among the inspiring speakers were Judge Nicholas DiPiazza and Judge Umayok Novell, who spoke passionately about the vital work in their courts. Judge DiPiazza, from the West Valley Regional Veterans’ Court and the City of Glendale Court, highlighted the unique challenges faced by those who have served. Regarding Vietnam Veterans, he said, “They did things that people shouldn’t have to do and saw things that people shouldn’t have to see,” underscoring the importance of providing veterans with support to address burdens, such as addiction, mental health issues, or reintegration. A veteran himself, Judge DiPiazza emphasized that Veterans’ Court helps participants face their problems with tailored programs and a collaborative team. “Although it’s not in the news every day, we have people overseas right now, and many of them are in warzones, and many of them are at risk,” he said. “All of them come home with burdens. Burdens that we may not see.” The goal of Veterans’ Court is to resolve cases while addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, offering participants an opportunity to move forward meaningfully.

Judge Novell, who presides over Mesa Community Court, spoke about the innovative efforts aimed at breaking an individual’s cycle of homelessness, addiction, and legal involvement. Created in 2018, the court was designed to address concerns that the traditional justice system was not yielding lasting results for the unhoused population. Unlike the “arrest, book, release, repeat” cycle, the Community Court helps individuals resolve pending cases while accessing crucial services such as shelter, mental health treatment, substance abuse help, and workforce support. Judge Novell emphasized that “courts can empower and move people to be their very best, especially in our treatment courts, our problem-solving courts.” She believes in seeing people for who they can become, not just who they are in the moment.

The Mesa Community Court follows a collaborative approach with prosecutors, public defenders, peer navigators, and community organizations to help participants regain stability. The court also helps individuals achieve personal goals, like completing a GED or enrolling in a college program, benefiting not only the participants but the community by raising them up them from a cycle of arrest into contributing members of society. The event also featured powerful testimonials from graduates of both courts. Many graduates, now employed and reunited with their families, shared how these programs had given them the tools to turn their lives around. Their experiences were a powerful reminder of the courts’ transformative impact. The Spring Fling was both a celebration of progress and a look ahead, as more lives are positively impacted by Arizona’s innovative problem-solving courts. Through programs like Veterans’ Court and Community Court, the state proves that with the right support, individuals have a chance to overcome the challenges of homelessness, addiction, and legal trouble— and contribute meaningfully to their communities. For more information and future events, visit azfriendsofthecourt.org

The post Friends of the Court Arizona Spring Fling 2025 appeared first on Guymon Law.

As the new year begins, many people reflect on the past and set goals for the future. For co-parents, the start of a new year can bring a mix of emotions. While the holidays may have come and gone, the challenges of navigating co-parenting relationships often continue. Amid the celebrations, resolutions, and fresh starts, it is easy to overlook the emotional stress that can arise in co-parenting situations.

Co-parents often experience emotional hurdles such as grief, guilt, financial pressures, and resentment, which can make the start of the new year feel overwhelming. It’s crucial to acknowledge that these feelings are normal, and rather than ignore them, you can focus on managing them in a positive and healthy way as you enter the new year. Here are some tips to help redirect your focus and start the year off on the right foot:

– Create new, positive traditions;

– Find ways to give back to the community;

– Create achievable goals with your children or for yourself;

– Emphasize quality over quantity during the time you do have with your children;

– Let go of comparisons

– Listen to your own needs by practicing self-compassion, and seek support from friends, family, or a counselor to help process feelings of loss.

Co-parenting is rarely without its difficulties, but by effectively managing your emotional stress and challenges, regardless of others’ behavior, you can set yourself up for success during the new year. This approach promotes an atmosphere of respect and kindness, significantly contributing to your children’s overall happiness and well-being. Embodying these values fosters a positive environment and positions you as a role model for your children, encouraging them to embrace similar behaviors in their lives. As you move into the new year, please remember to give yourself grace. Embrace the opportunity for a fresh start, take care of yourself, and set the intention to approach co-parenting with a sense of peace, positivity, and love. You deserve it.

The post Embracing A Fresh Start – Challenges of Co-Parenting appeared first on Guymon Law.

Depending on the relationship to the child, a proposed guardian may need to pass a background check, obtain fingerprint clearance, and demonstrate financial capabilities. The Court’s focus is on the best interests of the child. Procedural safeguards are in place to ensure that third parties are appropriate guardians. An attorney can assist in navigating the in and out-of-court processes necessary to secure a guardianship.

A petition for guardianship under Title 14 is typically filed with the parent’s consent and can be revoked by either parent any time. If a parent(s) will not consent to guardianship consider exploring other options such as a special power of attorney or filing for third-party visitation or grandparent’s rights in family court.

Whether you know a child in need or you have already been caring for a child long-term as part of their “village” (without a guardianship), you should speak with an attorney to best promote the child’s future.

On behalf of Guymon Law, we offer a heartfelt thank you to those who have bettered the lives of children by being part of their “village”. If you would like to learn more about Guymon Law and our services, check out our child custody section.

Written by Joanna A. Medrano with edits by Amber L. Guymon

The post Guardianship and Child Welfare appeared first on Guymon Law.

a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company

work, a society work, a civilization work.” As 15 years have

flown by since its beginning, Guymon Law has become a

collection of some of the finest individuals I know. Where once

it was just 1, now it’s 16, and I would trust every one of them

with my life. They are my chosen family, and they make me

better… every day.

One of my greatest joys is witnessing the genuine care

and concern our team members show to our clients going

through life’s challenges. In a field where empathy,

understanding, and professionalism are paramount,

the power of teamwork in a family law firm cannot

be underestimated. We are people-oriented. We all

understand the complexities of human relationships

and emotions and are happy to be of assistance and

give of ourselves. Our teamwork is the glue that holds

everything together. Everyone contributes, supports

each other, and works toward providing personalized,

creative solutions for our clients. Working as a team is

the best way to support our clients and provide them

with top-notch representation. Our team does this

by pooling our strengths, leveraging diverse talents,

focusing on daily progression, and doing everything

possible to ensure that cases progress smoothly. For

example, did you know that we each make yearly goals

for improvement? The better we are as individuals and

collectively, the better we can be for everyone else!

The post Achieving Success Through Collaborative Teamwork appeared first on Guymon Law.

Absent the most extreme and unique of circumstances, you cannot adopt a child unless one or both parents’ rights have been severed. This is because you are asking to be the new legal parent. So, what is severance or termination anyway? These two terms are used interchangeably and, in the State of Arizona, essentially mean that you are trying to sever or terminate the rights of a legal parent as they relate to their child.

The right of a parent to bring up their child is a constitutional right protected by the Due Process clause of the 14^th Amendment, so these cases are not taken lightly. Termination proceedings are complicated and have a life-long impact on the parent(s) and the child. Severing parental rights can even affect the rights of the child to inheritance and other benefits.

Who Can Request a Severance of Parental Rights?

 Per Arizona Statute any third party that has a “legitimate interest” in a child may ask for severance of parental rights. Third parties could include foster parents, stepparents, grandparents, or other relatives, or even a child’s physician. Essentially, anyone with a legitimate interest or who cares about the child can petition the Court to sever a parent’s rights.

The State of Arizona can also seek severance of parental rights and often does so in dependency cases. This article focuses more heavily on severance sought by private individuals, rather than the State. When the Department of Child Safety (DCS) is involved, there may be other factors to consider. Please contact our office for advice specific to those circumstances.

Just because you can make the request to sever a parent’s rights doesn’t mean that you should – especially without first consulting an attorney. If you request to sever a parent’s rights, you typically need to be prepared to participate in a social study and should first ensure that you are able to obtain fingerprint clearance. There is a plethora of other facts to consider and a consultation with one of our attorneys is the best place to start.

 Will the Court Terminate Parental Rights for Just Any Reason?

 No. The Court is only allowed to sever parental rights on the grounds set forth by Arizona statute (A.R.S. § 8-533). The grounds listed below do not constitute an exhaustive list of all grounds for termination. Please consult with our office to determine whether the facts of your case fall within the statute that the Court will consider. Some of the statutory grounds (in abbreviated format) include:

• Abandonment of a child;
• Willful abuse of a child;
• Inability to parent a child due to mental illness/deficiency or a chronic history of substance abuse with evidence that it will continue for a “prolonged indeterminate period”;
• A parent being deprived of civil liberties due to the conviction of some felonies (e.g., murder of the other parent or another child of the other parent);
• A parent who became the parent of a child by clear and convincing evidence of sexual assault of the other parent; and
• Consent of the parent(s).

The above-listed grounds may seem simple to prove, but they are not. There are statutory

definitions, case law, defenses, and procedural rules that you must understand and apply before determining whether you have grounds for termination of a parent’s rights. Additionally, even if you have reasonable grounds to proceed forward, you must also be able to prove that terminating the parent’s rights is in the child’s best interests. Our office will help you assess “best interests” and determine what you can do to try to prove that to the Court.

What Does the Termination Process Entail?

Please call our office to determine if now is strategically the best and most appropriate time to file. If you decide to proceed, you can file a petition and start the Court case. After that, you will need to serve the parents and potentially additional parties. Personal service, in and of itself, can be a complicated process, especially when you cannot locate an individual. Our office can help you move through these initial steps efficiently.

As stated above, you will likely be required to pay for and obtain a social study (“home study”) that details the background of the involved parties including yourself, criminal records, possibly medical/mental health records, and any other relevant documents. They will also likely conduct interviews with the parties, the child, and other people with relevant information. That study, written by a licensed, independent, and qualified individual will assess grounds, best interests of the child, and will ultimately provide the Court with a recommendation as to whether they believe parental rights should be terminated.

If the matter is contested, you may be required to participate in mediation and in pre-hearing conferences and other hearings. Ultimately, your case will proceed to trial where testimony and evidence (including the social study) will be presented to a judge. After hearing the evidence, the judge will decide whether to terminate parental rights of one or both parents. Usually, the judge will write a ruling that will explain their reasoning and whether the termination is granted.

If I Prevail in Terminating a Parent’s Rights, Can I then Adopt?

My lawyer answer is “depends” as there are some unique scenarios, but generally, YES! Stay tuned for our next blog regarding adoption.           

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