Code 4 Legal, PLLC

Dedication. Experience. Affordability.

We are a results-driven law firm focused in high conflict custody and family law litigation. Our reputation in the legal community is one that is passionate for our clients, yet always posturing to leave the lines of settlement open with a proven track record for results. 

Code 4 Legal, PLLC
divorce custody, Phoenix Scottsdale

Custody & Divorce Practice Areas

Complex Child Custody & Parenting Time

There is no presumption for equal parenting time, but it is a starting point.  While the courts favor a bonded relationship development with both parents, there are also many factors that the Courts consider in determining the child's best interests.

 

Many of these cases become complex in these scenarios:

  • Involvement with Department of Child Safety

  • Denial of Parenting Time for extended periods

  • Documented Abuse of Drugs or Alcohol

  • Domestic Violence Injury

  • Mental Health Issues

Disputed Property & Disclaimer Deeds

Even premarital property and inheritance can be in dispute, along with how certain marital assets can be divided.  The Courts have long recognized that an equitable distribution may not be an equal distribution, but should be specific to each case. 

Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)

Spousal Maintenance is a two-prong factor test, first on eligibility and then by how much (amount and length), within the limits of self-sufficiency.  We blend case law, discovery, and earning capacity to highlight which factors are the most influential in a client's specific case.  We represent and are experienced in both sides of spousal maintenance claims.

Community Waste

While the Courts do not use asset division to punish a spouse, there is statutory authority for Courts to award an unequal portion to restore one spouse when the other has wasted community funds, such as excessive or abnormal spending, destruction of funds, hiding money and assets, or fraudulent disposing of assets.  These types of claims involve auditing financial records to prove the waste, and is often used to restore the money used on extramarital affairs and addictions.  

Child Support

Child Support is more than a calculator; it requires a working knowledge of the Support Guidelines, enforcement, imputing incomes, the inner workings of support termination and tax benefit allocations.  We are on a mission to gather as much information as possible to ensure that the best interests of the child are served.  

Of course, each situation is different.  Your advocate knows the laws surrounding Adoption Subsidies, Social Security, VA benefits, and Guidelines to seek the most favorable order.

We are ready to help you.
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divorce custody Legal Team

Meet the team

The firm is dedicated exclusively to custody and family law matters with a broad level of trial and settlement experience in custody and family law litigation cases. The cornerstone of the firm's client-centric approach is premised on providing clients high levels of attention, dedication and professionalism by keeping the client's case goals at the forefront of our case strategy.



Why Code 4

A Law Firm for First Responders
Code 4 Legal is a law firm serving police, fire and first responders in reverence to the law enforcement community that Ms. Fitzpatrick grew up in. Code 4 Legal is also a callback to her career beginnings in law and identifies with likeminded clientele. In police vernacular, 'Code 4' means the scene is contained (or don't send additional units). In that way, Ms. Fitzpatrick also contains your custody or divorce 'scene' to stop the hemorrhaging of legal fees and put forth a strategy towards the end goal. In working with our first responder clients, certain issues are unique. We fight for shift-friendly parenting plans, defend spousal maintenance claims and, when the law is applicable, protect the government pension.

Nichol M. Fitzpatrick

Advocate
Nichol grew up in a law enforcement family with ties to the Narcotics community. Before family law, she was a police dispatcher and later enjoyed positions inside the prosecutor's office, as courtroom staff, as paralegal, as case manager and sat second chair to top-tier civil litigators. She has been working in custody and family law litigation since 2011 and enjoys representing first responder families. Nichol serves on the Family Law Board of the Maricopa County Bar Association and the Superior Court's Family Department Case Center Community Workgroup.

Heather Humphreys

Legal Paraprofessional Candidate, Paralegal
Heather attends ASU Law in the Masters of Legal Studies program for legal paraprofessionals. Her calling is in helping families. Working in the financial sector prior to family law, Heather has laser like focus in attention-to-detail and has been a valuable asset to the firm.

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