Stephen M Vincent

Stephen M Vincent

Attorney at State 48 Law
  • Divorce, Family Law, Appeals & Appellate ...
  • Arizona
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Biography

Stephen Vincent is a founding member and attorney at State 48. Stephen has a passion for the law and teaching. He has combined those loves as the head of new client intake and head of legal education programs. He also is the firm’s main researcher and works on all appellate cases.

Stephen Vincent, Attorney, is a lifelong writer who uses this skill to explain clearly and memorably a client’s case to judges. A native of St. George, Utah, Stephen attended Arizona State University for law school where he interned for the Goldwater Institute and worked as a Justice Court mediator. After law school, Stephen worked for a year at the Washington County (Utah) Attorney’s Office. While there, he drafted county ordinances, assisted in homicide prosecutions, and headed up a major project to protect the county’s access to federal lands.

Before law school, Stephen worked as a sportswriter in Utah. He has also taught writing and communication courses at Southern Utah University and Dixie State University. Because of his background as a professional writer and writing instructor, Stephen is the ideal person to tell your story. Stephen loves sports and spending time with his 24 nieces and nephews.

Practice Areas
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
Appeals & Appellate
Arbitration & Mediation
Family - Arbitration/Mediation
Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Arizona
State Bar of Arizona
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Languages
  • English
Professional Experience
Client Intake Attorney and Appellate Attorney
State 48 Law
- Current
Senior Attorney
Best Law Firm
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Special Deputy County Attorney
Washington County (Utah) Attorney's Office
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Education
Arizona State University
J.D. (2013) | Law
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Honors: Four-time Pedrick Scholar (Dean's List) CALI Award in Arizona Media Law
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Southern Utah University
M.A. (2008) | Communication
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Brigham Young University
B.A. (2004) | Communications (Print Journalism). Minor: English
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Awards
Rising Star
Super Lawyers
Top Family Law Lawyers in Scottsdale
Expertise
Firm Award
Professional Associations
State Bar of Arizona  # 030779
Member
Current
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Websites & Blogs
Website
State 48 Law
Blog
State 48 Law Blog
Legal Answers
229 Questions Answered
Q. Can a 12yr old be held in contempt for not visiting the non custodial parent when there is a court order
A: A 12-year-old cannot be held in contempt.

The 12-year-old is the subject of the Court order, but the Court has not ordered her to do anything. A Parenting Plan orders the parents as to what they are to do regarding to the child. Therefore, the 12-year-old has not violated the Court order and, therefore, cannot be held in contempt.

You, however, are in violation of the Court. Though unlikely, you could be held in contempt. In my experience, when a child refuses to go to on Court-ordered parenting time, the parent in your position is often found to be in contempt and faces some sort of sanction, probably along the lines of having to pay for reunification therapy to help the relationship between your daughter and Father. The therapist will want to address why your daughter does not go with him. These services can be very expensive. Be prepared for this as well: Judges tend to be skeptical that a parent cannot get a child to go with the other parent.

In my experience, you also should prepare for him to do following:

He will likely raise this issue in a Petition to Modify, alleging (1) that she is refusing to go because you are alienating the child from him, and (2) that if you cannot get a child to abide by a parenting time order, then it is evidence that you can effectively parent the child and that he should be granted full custody. Again, in my experience, a Petition to Modify like that usually starts a very intense custody fight.

I know much of that is not what you want to hear, but you need to be aware of the risks.
... Read More
Q. Is it legal for my 11 year old son to be sleeping on a pull out couch in the same room as his dad and his gf?
A: The arrangement is not illegal.

There is a question of whether it is in your son's best interests. You could file a Petition to Modify, and then it's really up a judge. I think there's a good argument there, but it will really depend on how your judge feels about it. Some judges don't like that kind of a situation; others won't have a problem with it.
Q. Should I request Child Support?
A: Asking or not asking for child support will have no impact on your custody case. The Court does not consider child support when determining custody, but once it determines custody, the amount of time awarded impacts the child support amount.

You should run numbers through an Arizona Child Support Calculator to see what you might be entitled to.
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Contact & Map
State 48 Law
14500 N Northsight Blvd
Suite 313
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Telephone: (602) 649-1325
Monday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Thursday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 12 PM (Today)
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed