Rich J. Peters

The firm is located near downtown Phoenix. Although most of our clients come to us from Maricopa County, we are also pleased to provide legal services in the area of Divorce and Family Law throughout the state. Our goal is to provide quality legal representation to our clients and to make the unpleasant process of terminating a marriage more bearable. We strive to be caring, dedicated professionals whose idea of a successful resolution of divorce and family law matters is one which produces the best possible result for our client, at the lowest possible cost. We avoid costly and wasteful harassment tactics and aggressively resist those tactics if employed by opposing counsel. Our overriding concern is, as it should be, the best interest of our clients.

University of Arkansas School of Law

J.D. (1992)

1989 - 1992

Honors: Deans List

Arizona State University

B.S. (1989) | Business Marketing

1986 - 1989

Attorney Owner

R.J. Peters & Assoc., P.C.

2005 - Current

Current owner and practicing attorney.

Judge Pro Tem

Maricopa County Superior Court

2007 - 2009

Associate Attorney

Jon C. Dake and Assoc., P.C.

2000 - 2005

Associate Attorney

Bellah and Harrian

1998 - 2000

Associate Attorney

John T. Fields & Associates

1996 - 1998

Attorney Owner

Law Office of Rich J. Peters

1992 - 1996

Angel Player Loses Round in Child Support Case

Arizona Republic

July 3, 2009

Pro Se Representation

May 15, 2014

Arizona Community Legal Assistance Volunteer Lawyers Program

Pro Se Representation

May 15, 2012

Arizona Community Legal Assistance Volunteer Lawyers Program

Pro Se Representation

May 15, 2011

Arizona Community Legal Assistance Volunteer Lawyers Program

Pro Se Representation

May 15, 2010

Arizona Community Legal Assistance Volunteer Lawyers Program

Pro Se Representation

May 15, 2009

Arizona Community Legal Assistance Volunteer Lawyers Program

Top 10 Attorneys

National Academy of Family Law Attorneys

2018

Outstanding Contributions to the Family Lawyers Assistance Project

Arizona Community Legal Assistance Volunteer Lawyers Program

2015

Lead Counsel for Family Law

Lead Counsel Review Board

2015

For Love of Just Award

Arizona Community Legal Assistance Volunteer Lawyers Program

2005

Certificate of Appreciation

Family Law Assistance Project--FLAP

2003

Arizona Association for Conflict Resolution

Member

2019 - Current

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

Member

2019 - Current

Maricopa County Bar Association

Member

2013 - Current

Arizona State Bar  # 014601

Member

1992 - Current

W.B. Putman American Inn of Court

Member

1992 - Current

Arizona

Since 1992

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted

Divorce

Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce

Family Law

Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights , Victims Rights

Q. Is this acceptable when he has joint custody?

26 May 2021

A: Certain items of your Orders are always modifiable under certain circumstances, including Legal Decision Making and Parentng Time. Timing is important when pursuing modification of any Orders, and delays can have detrimental effects. The manner of seeking change is through a Petition to Modify. You can modify Legal Decision Making upon a showing of "the failure of the other parent to comply with the provisions of the order", or other significant and continuing changes. The court may modify parenting time rights whenever modification would serve the best interest of the child, "but the court shall not restrict a parent's parenting time rights unless it finds that the parenting time would endanger seriously the child's physical, mental, moral or emotional health". There is no way to predict exactly what a Judge will do. Your goal would be to paint an overall picture of the life you provide for the child compared to Father's. If you do not believe the current schedule to be in the child's best interests, you will need to prepare to convince your judge of your concerns. You have also described a situation which may warrant a modification of child support. One of the criteria the Court used to calculate child support is how much parenting time Father spends with the child. If he literally has not had one overnight, that may warrant a significant adjustment. Please remember that Arizona does not allow retroactive child support modifications. So, if you believe you are entitled to a modification, you need to file soon. Every month you wait is a month you lose. A qualified and experienced family law attorney can of course assist you in considering your options and then getting where you need to be. Most of us offer free, ½ hour consultations, in which your matter can be discussed in detail. That would be a great opportunity to discuss the specifics of your matter and develop a plan.

Q. Have an IV-D Establishment of Support hearing coming up in July. Just wanted to know can I ask for parenting time then?

13 April 2021

A: I am sorry to say that you will not be able to raise parenting time issues at the IV-D child support hearing. 1. File a Petition to Establish Legal Decision Making and Parenting Time. 2. Hire a process server to get Mother served, or mail via certified mail, or ask her to accept service. - File proof of service once she is properly served. 3. File an Application for Default if she does not file a Response 21 days after being served. With your initial Petition, we can also file a Petition for Temporary Orders. Such is the quickest manner of getting to see your Judge. OR, perhaps a strongly worded letter from an experienced attorney would convince her to act more reasonably. Per A.R.S. §13-1302, a person commits custodial interference if, knowing or having reason to know that the person has no legal right to do so, the person . . . . “Before the entry of a court order determining custodial rights, takes, entices or withholds any child from the other parent denying that parent access to any child.” If matters are NOT proceeding by agreement, then you need to move your case forward to a contested hearing or Trial, while first making sure that you have properly disclosed all documentation, witnesses and other evidence necessary to achieve the best result you are able to. A qualified and experienced family law attorney can of course assist you in considering your options and then getting where you need to be.

Q. How do i go about getting guardianship of my grandson age 14

13 April 2021

A: Will his parent's consent? Or at least NOT object? If so, you can seek Voluntary Guardianship which is very simple and can be exepdited when necessary. You may ALSO have the right to seek temporary or permanent custody, if you can convince the Court that: * you stand “in loco parentis” to the child. * It would be significantly detrimental to the child to remain or be placed in the custody of either of the child's living legal parents who wish to retain or obtain custody. A qualified and experienced family law attorney can of course assist you in considering your options and then getting where you need to be.