Arizona Family Law Services

Life changes after a divorce or custody order is entered. Whether you need to modify parenting time, legal decision-making, child support, or spousal maintenance, I provide practical guidance and experienced representation to help you seek a modification that reflects your family's current circumstances. 

I represent clients throughout Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Queen Creek, Phoenix and the surrounding areas in post-decree modification matters. 

A post-decree modification is a request to change certain terms of a final divorce or family court order when circumstances have substantially changed. Arizona law allows courts to modify orders involving parenting time, legal decision-making, child support, and, in some cases, spousal maintenance when the legal requirements are met.

Whether you are seeking a modification or responding to one, I help clients understand their options, protect their rights, and pursue practical solutions that serve their family's best interests.

Arizona law allows many family court orders to be modified when the legal requirements are met and there has been a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. Depending on your situation, the court may consider modifying: 

Changes may be appropriate when a child's needs change, a parent relocates, work schedules change, or other circumstances affect the current parenting plan.

Child support may be modified when there is a significant change in income, parenting time, healthcare costs, childcare expenses, or other factors affecting the Arizona Child Support Guidelines.

In some cases, spousal maintenance may be modified if there has been a substantial and continuing change in circumstances, provided the existing order allows for modification.

Arizona courts generally will not modify an existing court order simply because one parent is unhappy with the outcome. Instead, the court typically requires a substantial and continuing change in circumstances before modifying parenting time, legal decision-making, child support, or spousal maintenance.

Common reasons to request a post-decree modification may include:

• A parent relocating or planning to move. 
• Significant changes in a child's needs or schedule. 
• A substantial increase or decrease in either parent's income. 
• Changes affecting a parent's ability to care for the child. 
• Concerns involving a child's health, safety, or well-being. 

Every situation is unique. I carefully evaluate the facts of your case to determine whether a modification is appropriate and develop a strategy focused on achieving the best possible outcome for you and your family.

When you need to modify an existing court order, you deserve clear advice, honest communication, and a strategy tailored to your family's circumstances. For more than 35 years, I have helped Arizona clients resolve complex family law matters with practical guidance and personalized representation.

I take the time to understand your goals, explain your legal options, and pursue solutions that protect your rights while minimizing unnecessary conflict whenever possible. Whether your case can be resolved through negotiation or requires litigation, I will advocate for your interests with professionalism, preparation, and experience.

My commitment is to provide responsive, compassionate representation so you can move forward with confidence.

Can child custody or parenting time be modified after a divorce?

Yes. Arizona courts may modify legal decision-making or parenting time when there has been a substantial and continuing change in circumstances and the modification is in the child's best interests.

Can child support be modified?

Yes. Child support may be modified when there has been a qualifying change in circumstances, such as changes in income, parenting time, childcare expenses, health insurance costs, or other factors affecting support under the Arizona Child Support Guidelines.

Can spousal maintenance be modified?

In some cases, yes. Whether spousal maintenance can be modified depends on the terms of the original court order and whether Arizona law permits modification based on a substantial and continuing change in circumstances.

How long does the modification process take?

Every case is different. The timeline depends on the complexity of the issues, whether the parties reach an agreement, and the court's schedule. Some cases resolve through negotiation or mediation, while others require a court hearing.