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As an alternative to court and meeting the person you used to love in a formal, adversarial setting, mediation can allow you to resolve issues on your own terms. A mediator will not make decisions for you, but instead assists you in reaching agreements.

As an experienced divorce lawyer, Janet Metcalf knows the ins and outs of Arizona family law. This knowledge allows her to keep the mediation process on track. Perhaps more important, she understands people and the strain that results when relationships fail. She is adept at discerning when a flash of anger is really a revelation of hurt. As a mediator, she can help separate emotion from the issues that require resolution without ignoring each party’s desire to be heard. If Janet Metcalf serves as your mediator, she is not your lawyer, but instead the person who can facilitate agreements between you and the person you would otherwise see in court. Unlike many types of legal cases, people involved in family law cases often must still deal with each other on a regular basis for years to come. Mediation can make future dealings better.

Janet H. Metcalf, P.C., can mediate just one issue for you or as many issues as you like—you decide. If you reach an agreement, we will prepare a memorandum of understanding reflecting your agreement that you can take home with you to review on your own or with your lawyer before signing it. After that, you can hire us to prepare court documents that reflect your agreements.

If you are interested in finding out more about mediation and how it works, call for a consultation. You, your spouse or significant other and Janet Metcalf can discuss what issues you wish to mediate and can determine how you wish to proceed.

As your mediator, Janet H. Metcalf, P.C., can help you face the facts of your situation, assist you to protect what matters, and pave the way for you to move forward.

Marriage is made in heaven—so is thunder and lightning.

A divorce changes everything, from the perception of who you are, where you live, what vehicle you drive, when you see your children, how you pay your bills, and at times, when you can retire.  While a divorce is pending, a preliminary injunction imposes certain obligations upon you and prevents you from taking certain actions.

While people may tell you to avoid lawyers and to use standardized forms to get divorced, most people cannot fit their lives into pre-printed forms with multiple boxes to check.  Representing yourself and using pre-printed forms can result in mistakes that cannot be fixed, or if they can be fixed, the fixing requires significant time and expense.  A consultation with Janet Metcalf, an experienced divorce lawyer, will provide you the opportunity to learn what issues you face.  At the conclusion of your consultation, you will be armed with knowledge and can decide if you want Janet Metcalf to be your lawyer.

As your lawyer in a divorce case, Janet H. Metcalf, P.C., can help you face the facts of your situation, assist you to protect what matters, and pave the way for you to move forward.

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Whether you are getting divorced or were never married, if you have children, nothing matters more. While you can always make more money, buy another house, or pay off a credit card bill, you can never replace time lost with a child.  Understanding what legal decision-making means in Arizona and how parenting time works in Arizona is key to your and your children’s future.  Parenting time pertains to the time you have with your children.  Legal decision-making addresses how decisions about your children are made.  Ultimately, a family needs a parenting plan tailored to the parents, the children and the things that matter most to all involved.

Whether Janet H. Metcalf, P.C. is your lawyer or your mediator for issues pertaining to your children, we can help you face the facts of your situation, assist you to protect what matters, and pave the way for you to move forward.

If you are getting divorced, a clear and proper division of your community assets and debts is essential.  Arizona is a community property state which means that community debts are owed by both parties and community assets are owned by both parties.  Many people are surprised to learn that a debt in a spouse’s name is a community debt.  If the debt is not paid, a creditor can seek full payment from the spouse whose name is not on the debt.  Debts include credit cards, taxes, car notes, mortgages and many other things.  Assets include real estate, retirement assets, financial accounts, businesses, time shares, and pretty much anything you can imagine.  It is important to understand what a community asset is since community assets are divided equitably in Arizona.  Assets must be addressed with precision to avoid problems in the future and to avoid leaving money on the table.  Including clear provisions for the division of assets and debts is essential to your security and your future.

Whether Janet H. Metcalf, P.C. is your lawyer or your mediator for issues pertaining to asset and debt division, we can help you face the facts of your situation, assist you to protect what matters, and pave the way for you to move forward.

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