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Leaving the marital or partner home in Arizona

Is it abandonment?

If you are just starting the journey toward divorce or child custody establishment, you may wonder whether it will hurt your case if you move out of your home. Perhaps someone told you that this constitutes abandonment. Is this true under the law?

In Arizona, the answer is no. Moving out of the marital residence or home you have shared with your romantic partner does not break any law, criminal or otherwise. Also, it cannot be used against you in family court.

Arizona is a no-fault divorce state. In fact, every state today has some form of no-fault divorce, although the legal requirements vary from state to state. To get a no-fault divorce, you do not have to prove that your spouse did something horrible, such as regularly abusing you physically and/or emotionally (often termed extreme cruelty), stepping out on you (adultery or infidelity), or leaving you and your offspring to fend for yourselves (abandonment or desertion).

A judge will not punish you if you are the one who moves out. Being the first to leave the home will not affect your parental rights, property-ownership rights, or anything else related to the divorce. Sure, you might be ordered to provide child support and possibly spousal maintenance, at least temporarily while the case is actively pending in court. But this would be true no matter who is living in the residence or if neither of you is doing so anymore.

Moving out does not relieve you of all duties toward the property

Occupation or possession of real property is only one branch in the bundle of sticks of ownership (or leasehold, if you rent). Whether you or your former romantic partner moves out of your previously shared residence—and if so, when—is completely up to you. But realize that both of you may still be on the hook for a mortgage, property taxes, homeowners association dues, or a lease, depending on whether you own or rent, and whose name is on the loan and/or title or lease documents.

A more important concern is whether—and if so, when—the residence should be sold, or whether the lease should be broken, allowed to expire, or renewed. The most important factor is whether any minor children live there. If so, additional factors may be considered, such as:

  • How old the children are.
  • How long they have lived in the residence.
  • Whether moving would require changing school districts or moving a long distance away from their neighborhood friends.

If one or more children is old enough to remember and moving could greatly traumatize them, the court normally will take this into consideration. The judge would be more likely to allow a parent providing primary caretaking duties to stay in the residence with the children for a certain period of time. This parent might be allowed either to buy out the other parent’s interest in the real estate or to continue owning it jointly with the moved-out parent for a predetermined period of time. For example, the time period might end when the child turns a certain age, the mortgage is paid off by a certain amount, or the market allows for a certain percentage of net profit. With continued joint ownership, the non-resident parent likely will be required to continue paying his or her half—or whatever other amount can be agreed to—toward the property expenses, not including utilities.

Changing the locks

A related question is whether a spouse or parent can have the locks changed on the residence so that the other party cannot get back in. This depends on whether both people are listed on the title or lease. It also depends on whether any protective orders are in place preventing the defendant from returning without law enforcement on standby while the person picks up some of his or her belongings.

Technically, both parties have the right to access the property anytime if they are both named as the owners or lessees. So a better plan would be to hold off changing the locks until the moved-out party is notified and has given written consent.

If an order of protection is in place, and you are truly afraid for the life or safety of yourself and/or other loved ones in the home, you may be able to change the locks temporarily. Then you would need to change them back or give the other party a key once the danger has subsided.

Deciding whether or when to leave the marital or partner home can be a complicated issue. If you are in doubt, be sure to consult with an experienced Arizona family law attorney.

Disclaimer: This legal guide provides general information, not legal advice that can be applied to any specific matter. It does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

What people are saying about Joan Bundy Law…

Having you for a lawyer was the best thing I did…

Oh my goodness! I have been at this for months! I can’t thank you enough for helping me through it! You made all the difference. Thank you again Joan! Having you for a lawyer was the best thing I did in this whole thing.

— E.H. | Post-decree matter

…I really appreciate all of the help you gave me!

Thank you…for all of your help with this case, as well as being so patient with the other party and their lawyer. I really appreciate all of the help you gave me!

— C.R. | Animal law matter

Thank you Joan…

Thank you Joan for your legal advice and your good listening ear.

— P. S. | Animal law matter

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— E.B. | Child visitation and support matter

…I feel like I’m on cloud nine!…

OMG…I am still soooooooo happy, I feel like I am on cloud nine!! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You again…I don’t feel like I can say it enough!

— E.B. | Child visitation and support matter

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I greatly appreciate all your help and knowledge, I’d be lost without you in all this and you made me feel at ease and calm. It was great getting to know you. Thanks again!

— M. F. | Child custody matter

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— T. S. | Parental termination matter

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Thank you, Joan, for everything….Yes, we did triumph. I hope that [father] could see that I truly am moving forward for the kids’ sake.

— A. A. | Child custody matter

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— M.V. | Animal law matter

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Thank you so much for your boost and help!

— M. S. | Divorce matter

We would like to thank you for everything…

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— J.R | Child custody/Support matter

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— M. S. | Divorce matter

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— D. .M. | Divorce matter

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— R.P. | Legal separation/Divorce matter

…I highly recommend [Joan] for all your personal legal needs.

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— J. S. | Legal separation/Divorce matter

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— C. W. | Post-decree matter

…I really felt like she cared.

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— S.P. | Divorce matter

I was very impressed with the legal services that Joan provided…

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— S.H. | Post-decree matter

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…I recommend her highly.

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— L. N. | Initial consultation

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— K, S. | Guardianship matter

When I couldn’t even get a call back from ANY attorney with my problem, Joan called me back.

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— C.R. | Animal law matter

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— C.R. | Animal law matter

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— M. F. | Divorce/Pet custody matter

Joan was very motivated, organized, responsive, and thorough in communication.

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— B. F. | Same-sex matter

She is very supportive of families of all make-ups…

She is very supportive of families of all make-ups and understands Arizona laws surrounding married, unmarried, and LGBT families.

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— W. S. | Legal separation matter

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Communication via email, phone or otherwise is immediately addressed, and, quite frankly, after utilizing the services of another similar attorney, Ms. Bundy is stellar compared to what we have dealt with in the past.

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I found her to be competent, professional and assertive…

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— C.W. | Post-decree matter

…I would definitely recommend Ms. Bundy as a divorce attorney.

She was aggressive, but appropriate, in her dealings with my ex-husband, for which I was grateful.  Additionally, she was very ethical in her billing practices.  I would definitely recommend Ms. Bundy as a divorce attorney.

— K.H. | Divorce matter

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Ms. Bundy displayed a genuine concern for the outcome of my case and put heart and soul into every action.  In the courtroom Joan was assertive, took action, and was effective.

— L. S. | Child custody matter

…Joan was always professional, timely and compassionate…

As a single parent of four children navigating a complicated history of court filings, proceeding, evaluations etc… I needed someone knowledgeable and sensitive to the nature of not just the case but the family behind it. Joan was always professional, timely and compassionate concerning my families wants, needs, financial situation, and overall desired outcome.

— L.S. | Child custody matter

…Thank you, Joan, for helping us with our case!

Communication was quick and clear, and we would recommend her for anyone of need of legal services. Thank you, Joan, for helping us with our case!

— N.R. | Animal law matter

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I was very emotionally distraught and I had no idea what to expect in court, but she was very supportive and reassuring. Joan is honest and upfront and I couldn’t have asked for a better attorney.

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— R. A. | Divorce matter

…My divorce was as quick and as painless as it could possibly be because of her quality work.

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— S.P. | Divorce matter

Joan handled my case with a great deal of professionalism.

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— D. M. | Divorce matter

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— J. L. | Child custody matter

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— Anonymous | Same-sex matter

Joan was very professional while handling my case…

Joan was very professional while handling my case against an attorney that was less then ethical. Joan held her ground and remained confident the entire time.

— D.M. | Divorce matter

Joan was very professional while handling my case…

Joan was very professional while handling my case against an attorney that was less then ethical. Joan held her ground and remained confident the entire time.

— D. M. | Divorce matter

I would highly recommend Joan Bundy…

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— C.W. | Post-decree matter

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— Rob | Avvo, 2011

Joan Bundy is a family attorney who is very dedicated to her profession…

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— S.B. | Child custody matter

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— S. S. | Divorce matter

[Joan] showed that she was very easy to talk to she listened…

When we first met with the lawyer she showed that she was very easy to talk to she listened gave us options and did not come across stuffy like the first one we had talked to from another firm.

— K. M. | Post-decree matter

…We couldn’t have asked for a better representation.

You have really helped us get on top of this situation and gave [us] the confidence that [we] needed to be able to put [our] foot down for [our] daughter. We couldn’t have asked for a better representation.

— C. M. | Post-decree matter

You are the greatest!…

You are the greatest! Thanks so much for caring….I WON! …Thanks again for your guidance!

— C. R. | Animal law matter

…She listens well and represents honesty.

Joan is a great person, with compassion, and knowledge to help you through troublesome times. She realized that I had particular problems in my divorce, and helped me with timeliness and professionalism that a quality attorney gives to her client. She listens well and represents honesty.

— J. S. | Divorce matter

You have been a great influence and help in my life.

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— M. S. | Divorce matter

I will continue referring others to you…

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— R.R. | Child-custody and child-support modification

Joan proved to be very knowledgeable and competent…

I used Joan’s practice for my divorce. Although it was quite straightforward, no debts, no estate, no kids, the difficulty was that from my part, it was long-distance and international since I reside in France. Joan proved to be very knowledgeable and competent, she gave me clear information and advice about what would happen and the applicable laws.

— V.J. | Divorce matter

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— J.V. | Post-decree modification/relocation matter

[Joan] is the most professional lawyer I have ever had…

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— A.C. | Child custody matter

Contact a Chandler legal separation attorney

If you are thinking about filing for legal separation or have to respond to a petition for one, be sure to consult with an Arizona family law attorney who is knowledgeable in and has considerable expertise with legal separations. Do not go it alone.

Call Joan Bundy Law at 480.463.4600 to find out how an experienced Chandler legal separation attorney can help guide you through the complexities.

Contact Chandler divorce and family lawyer Joan Bundy.