Best Divorce Lawyers in Tempe
Craig J. Simon
Divorce Lawyers
Craig J. Simon is a licensed attorney with over thirty (35) years of trial experience. He has over 200 bench and jury trials in the span of his career. Craig moved from Cleveland, Ohio to Tucson, Arizona where he graduated from The University of Arizona. He then received his law degree from John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois. Craig litigated personal injury and family law matters in metropolitan Chicago for fourteen (14) years. In 1997, he moved his practice to Arizona and continued representing injured parties in automobile crashes, tractor trailer collisions, trucking crash cases, wrongful death, medical malpractice and and all aspects of family law matters.
Craig has been trying cases since he started practicing law 35 years ago. Craig is very passionate about each and every case he takes to trial. Craig always puts himself in the shoes of the client by putting his heart and soul into the case. When Craig tries a case he holds nothing back, he puts 100% effort into trial preparation and courtroom presentation. As a divorced father of two grown children, his personal experience gives him great insight into custody, parenting time, child support, division of assets and spousal maintenance. When you hire Simon Law Group you hire Craig J. Simon, an experienced, compassionate, aggressive trial attorney.
Craig also has a passion for representing mothers, fathers, husbands, wives and grandparents in all aspects of family law matters. One of Craig’s passions is motorcycle riding which he brings to the Courtroom in representing motorcyclist injured in traffic crashes.
Stuart Peterson
Divorce Lawyers
Stuart is the principal attorney at The Peterson Law Firm and will personally handle every aspect of your case within the firm. His first position out of law school focused on consumer bankruptcy filings wherein he spearheaded hundreds of bankruptcy cases within his first year of practice. This hands-on experience led him to handle complex issues involving heightened emotions and a need for optimal resolution for his clients. His current practice focuses both on consumer bankruptcy and in family law. His initial practice of bankruptcy has allowed him to be able to assist family law clients in complex financial issues faced in divorce matters and financials of many custody cases.
Stuart’s goal in founding The Peterson Law Firm is to create an attorney-client relationship wherein the client is not intimidated to ask questions nor feel bullied into a certain position. Each client to come to The Peterson Law Firm will meet directly with Stuart to discuss their case and goals. His goal in the practice of law is to help regular people faced with complex issues achieve a better and brighter future.
Stuart is not a robot and solely focused on the practice of law. His interests range from the latest trade rumors in the NFL to reading the latest science fiction novel that he found on the internet. He firmly believes that Superman is the greatest superhero and during the “off hours” you can likely find him spending time with his wife and their three children.
Chris Hildebrand
Divorce Lawyers
Chris Hildebrand decided he wanted to be an attorney when he was a child.
Being the youngest of four children in his family, he saw the struggles his single mother had in taking care of the entire family.
On one particular day, he found his mother upset and crying because someone owed her money she desperately needed to pay the rent.
To this day, he remembers her telling him to never be in a position where people have control over you simply because you can’t afford to hire an attorney.
That day he told his mother he was going to be an attorney when he grew up and that is exactly what he did.
Chris chose family law because he enjoys helping people on a personal level; something he could never do as a corporate attorney. Chris has always been what he refers to as a “protector”.
He has been that way since he was a child. Whether it was the time he was hospitalized for a week when he was twelve years old because he was trying to protect a weaker kid from a bully and got hit in the eye by an object that had been thrown at him (yeah, that didn’t work out very well) or when he had to protect his siblings from the neighborhood bullies.
Chris was the first one to knock on their doors and put an end to the problem using his words, not his fists.
He carries that passion to protect others who are unable to protect themselves in every case.
That is the real fire that fuels the reason Chris practices family law and created Hildebrand Law, PC. Chris still takes on bullies – he just does it in the courtroom now.
Chris passed the Arizona Bar Examination the first time he took it and his career as a “protector” of people and children launched.
Chris has a long history of protecting children in child sexual abuse and physical abuse cases, which he has handled throughout his career.
Many attorneys refer child abuse cases to Chris because of his approach in handling these cases to protect children from abuse.
Chris is regarded as a highly knowledgeable and skilled Arizona divorce lawyer, negotiator, and advocate for his clients’ interests.
With his extensive experience and reputation, Chris has earned the respect of other Arizona divorce lawyers, experts, and judges with whom he has practiced.
He is regularly consulted by other attorneys in the community, who leverage his knowledge and experience to act as a divorce mediator to assist in resolving their own client’s legal matters.
In fact, Chris has been retained by other divorce attorneys to represent them or their friends or family in a divorce and other family law matters.
Matthew Schultz
Divorce Lawyers
I’m Matthew Schultz, an Arizona attorney who has been devoted exclusively to family law since I began practicing 16 years ago. As a solo practitioner, I personally handle every aspect of every case my firm accepts.
My experience was forged in the trenches from my first day of practice. At the first firm where I practiced, I was given a phone and a desk and told to start taking calls. In my first year, despite having no mentor to guide me, I successfully handled over 100 cases — an unusually high number for any one practitioner.
I left to enhance my understanding of complex legal and procedural issues under the tutelage of a highly respected attorney and member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (an academy of the most elite family law attorneys in the United States). The experience was invaluable, allowing me to start my own practice with a vast wealth of knowledge and practical experience to handle the simplest to the most complex family law issues, whether custody- or property-related. That was many years ago, and my reputation for being able to successfully handle all types of cases is substantial.
In my 16 years of practice, I have represented clients from around the world with multimillion-dollar businesses, complex international child custody issues and highly contentious spouses bent on “taking the other spouse to the cleaners.” I have argued cases against the best attorneys in the state and have consistently won. I don’t care who the opposing attorney is.
Ronald Kossack
Divorce Lawyers
Ron started the firm and his practice of family law in 1993 and has practiced family law exclusively since then. His varied background and previous occupations make him especially well qualified to handle your case. Ron was a director of a well-known children’s summer camp after graduating from ASU with a Bachelor’s in Mass Communications prior to being a radio and television news reporter for many years. He then moved to Chicago and had a seat on the Chicago Boards Option Exchange as an options trader as well as a small business owner in Illinois and Arizona. His diverse occupational background allows him to handle child-related matters, complex financial issues, and all the issues involving your case.
Since opening up his own boutique family law practice, Ron has represented over 3,500 family law clients and has been the lead attorney for over 1,000 trials and countless hearings. He is recognized as a master litigator but also is capable of negotiating settlements whenever possible in an effort to minimize litigation.
Ron has been recognized with an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell from his peers and judges, which represents the highest legal rating and ethical rating possible from that well-known organization. He also is rated as a superb attorney through AVVO and was listed as a top 10 family law attorney in the state of Arizona for many years by NAFLA.
In his free time, Ron is an excellent chef and he can give you restaurant recommendations for any occasion. He also loves movies of all sorts.
Adriana Blanchette
Divorce Lawyers
Adriana is a Phoenix area native. She graduated from ASU in 2009 with her bachelors degree in Justice Studies, minoring in Sociology. She went on to graduate from Arizona Summit Law in 2012. Since that time she has been practising exclusively in the Family Law arena. She married to her wonderful husband in 2015 and, together, they have two beautiful baby girls. In her spare time, Adriana enjoys crochet and true crime documentaries.
Education
Arizona State University BS in Justice Studies 2009
Arizona Summit Law School JD 2012
Bar Admissions
Arizona Bar Association 2013
Practice Areas
- Divorce
- Family Law
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- Spousal Support
- Property Division
- Paternity
- Adoption
- Contempt of Court
- Prenuptial Agreements
William D. Bishop
Divorce Lawyers
The founder of Bishop, Del Vecchio & Beeks Law Office, P.C., William D. (Bill) Bishop, has been practicing law for over 30 years. Bill is a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. He is one of only 65 attorneys throughout the state have attained this distinction by demonstrating substantial experience, effectiveness and knowledge significantly higher than that possessed by a general practitioner who regularly handles family law matters. Bill is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Lawyers (AAML), and was listed to Best Lawyers in America for Family Law in 2018-2022. Bill has also been listed as a Southwest Super Lawyer for the last 10 years. Bill has been listed as one of the top 50 attorneys statewide in all areas of practice (i.e., amongst almost 17,000 licensed attorneys in Arizona).
For his legal knowledge, experience and adherence to professional standards of conduct and ethics, attorney Bill Bishop has also received an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating* (Judicial Edition) through Martindale-Hubbell and an Avvo Superb Rating of 10 out of 10. Mr. Bishop has consistently been selected as one of Arizona’s Finest Lawyers and one of Arizona’s Top Attorneys by the American Registry. Further, he is honored by the numerous referrals from other attorneys practicing in family law and in a variety of other areas.
A firm believer in improving the legal system and serving the community, Arizona family law attorney Bill Bishop was the 2017-2018 Chairperson of the State Bar of Arizona Family Law Section. He has also served as the chairperson of the Maricopa County Bar Association Family Law Section. Mr. Bishop has been a member of the State Bar of Arizona Family Law Section Executive Council for many years. Through his involvement with the State Bar Family Law Executive Council, Mr. Bishop is involved with providing continuing education to other family law attorneys, working on statewide family law legislation and summarizing family law cases which have statewide importance. Mr. Bishop volunteers at the Women’s Fresh Start Resource Center and regularly chairs and speaks at a number of family law seminars for fellow attorneys and judges.
Ashley Donovan
Divorce Lawyers
Ashley Donovan received a B.A. degree in International Affairs from George Washington University in 2004. In 2007, she graduated cum laude from the New England School of Law. While at the New England School of Law she was an Executive Articles Editor of the New England Law Review, and served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Spencer Kagan of the Middlesex Family and Probate Court in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Prior to forming Ashley Donovan Law, PLLC in 2013, Ms. Donovan worked for a local firm, where she handled complex divorce, custody, support, and juvenile matters. Ms. Donovan was also a Staff Attorney in the Family Law Unit of Community Legal Services, in downtown Phoenix. While there, she represented indigent clients and victims of domestic violence with problems involving divorce, child custody, pre and post decree modifications, relocation, and child support. In addition to litigation, Ms. Donovan served as an advocate for indigent clients and victims of domestic violence.
Ashley was featured in the September 2008 issue of Arizona Attorney magazine. Ashley serves as a judge pro tempore and regularly mediates family court cases. She performs volunteer work through the Family Law Assistance Program and teaches family law related classes at Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. Ashley is the past Chair of the Family Law Rules and Procedures Committee through the State Bar of Arizona. She also previously served on the Board of Directors for Free Arts of Arizona.
Hiring the best divorce lawyer in Tempe, or any other location, can be beneficial for several reasons when going through a divorce:
Complex Legal Procedures: Divorce involves a range of legal procedures, including property division, child custody, alimony, and more. A skilled divorce lawyer can guide you through these processes, ensuring that all necessary paperwork is filed correctly and that your rights are protected.
Legal Expertise: The best divorce lawyers have in-depth knowledge of family law and divorce regulations specific to your jurisdiction. They can provide you with accurate advice, explain your rights and responsibilities, and help you make informed decisions.
Negotiation and Settlement: Divorce often involves negotiations over various aspects, such as asset division and child custody. A top divorce lawyer can negotiate on your behalf, aiming to achieve the best possible outcome in terms of financial settlements and custody arrangements.
Child Custody and Support: If you have children, hiring a skilled divorce lawyer is crucial. They can help you navigate child custody and visitation matters, ensuring that your children’s best interests are taken into account. They can also assist in calculating and securing fair child support arrangements.
Asset Protection: Especially if you have significant assets or a complex financial situation, a capable divorce lawyer can help safeguard your financial interests during the division of marital property.
Emotional Support: Divorce is emotionally challenging, and having a divorce lawyer can offer both legal guidance and emotional support. They can help you stay focused on the practical aspects of the divorce while handling the legal complexities on your behalf.
Regarding the impact of divorce on children’s growth, it’s important to note that divorce can have emotional and psychological effects on children. These effects can vary widely based on factors such as the child’s age, temperament, the level of conflict between parents, and the support systems in place. Some potential impacts include:
Emotional Distress: Children may experience feelings of sadness, anger, confusion, and anxiety due to the changes in their family structure. They might also struggle with loyalty conflicts between parents.
Academic and Social Challenges: Divorce can impact a child’s school performance and social interactions. They might face difficulties concentrating, lower academic achievements, and changes in friendships.
Behavioral Changes: Some children may exhibit behavioral changes such as acting out, withdrawing, or displaying regressive behaviors. These can be ways of coping with the stress and uncertainty caused by the divorce.
Long-Term Effects: While many children adapt and thrive after divorce, some may experience long-term emotional and psychological effects that can impact their self-esteem, relationships, and mental health into adulthood.
Parent-Child Relationships: Divorce can strain parent-child relationships, especially if the divorce is contentious. Open communication, consistent routines, and maintaining a supportive environment can help mitigate these challenges.
It’s important for parents to prioritize their children’s well-being during and after a divorce. Seeking professional help, such as counseling or therapy for both parents and children, can aid in managing the emotional impact and facilitating a smoother transition for everyone involved.