Udall Shumway is the best overall family law firm in Arizona. The Mesa firm has served local families since 1965 and handles divorce, child custody, spousal maintenance, and asset division. It is recognized by Best Lawyers and named among its Best Law Firms. Its wider practice also covers estate planning, real estate, and business law, which helps when a family case touches a trust, a home, or a company. Webster Family Law is the top pick for third-party rights, such as grandparents or other caregivers seeking custody or visitation. Hougen Family Law is the best fit for families who want to settle through mediation instead of a courtroom fight.
Arizona Family Law Firms at a Glance
| Firm | Best For | Office | Core Services | Standout Trait |
| Udall Shumway | Best Overall Law Firm | Mesa | Divorce, custody, spousal maintenance, asset division | Serving Arizona since 1965; Best Lawyers recognition |
| Webster Family Law | Best for Third-Party Rights | Mesa | Third-party rights, paternity, divorce, post-decree changes | One-attorney firm with direct lawyer access |
| Hougen Family Law | Best for Mediation | Scottsdale (serves Mesa and the East Valley) | Mediation, collaborative law, custody, support | Practicing since 1998; settlement-first approach |
1. Udall Shumway: Best Overall Law Firm
Family cases rarely stay in one lane. A divorce can pull in a business, a rental property, a retirement account, and a custody plan all at once. Udall Shumway is built for that kind of case.
The firm has worked with Arizona families for more than 60 years. Its family law team handles divorce, child custody, spousal maintenance, and property division. Arizona is a community property state, so most assets and debts gained during a marriage are split between spouses. Knowing how local judges value a home, a pension, or a small business can change the outcome.
What sets Udall Shumway apart is depth. The firm also has attorneys who focus on estate planning, real estate, business law, and commercial litigation. When a family matter overlaps with one of those areas, the client does not need to hire a second firm. Everyone works from the same file.
Best Lawyers lists the firm and names it among its Best Law Firms. Udall Shumway serves individuals, families, businesses, and public agencies across the East Valley.
- Address: 1138 North Alma School Road, Suite 101, Mesa, Arizona 85201
- Phone: (480) 461-5300
- Website: udallshumway.com
2. Webster Family Law: Best for Third-Party Rights
Not every parent figure is a legal parent. Grandparents raise grandkids. Stepparents step in. Aunts, uncles, and family friends fill gaps. Arizona law gives some of these people a path to ask the court for legal decision-making or visitation, but the rules are strict. Webster Family Law helps them through it.
Attorney Karl Webster runs the firm and practices only family law. Third-party rights are one of his listed focus areas, alongside divorce, paternity, prenuptial agreements, name changes, and enforcement cases. He also handles post-decree modifications, which matter when a custody order no longer fits a child’s life.
The firm is a one-attorney office by design. Clients speak with their lawyer directly. Their case does not get passed to an associate or a case manager. For a grandparent who is nervous about court, that steady contact can make a hard process feel manageable.
- Address: 1045 E. McKellips Road, Suite 4, Mesa, Arizona 85203
- Phone: (480) 935-7676
- Website: websterfamilylaw.com
3. Hougen Family Law: Best for Mediation
Some couples want to end a marriage without a long court battle. Mediation lets them sit down with a neutral helper and agree on custody, support, and property on their own terms. It often costs less and moves faster than a trial. Hougen Family Law makes this path a priority.
Attorney Donna M. Hougen has practiced family law in Arizona since 1998. Her firm offers mediation and collaborative law, along with divorce, custody, child and spousal support, and asset division. The firm says it prefers negotiation and mediation when possible, and stays ready to go to court when talks fail.
Hougen Family Law serves clients in Maricopa and Pinal counties, including Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Phoenix. Its past honors include a Distinguished rating, a Client Champion Silver award, and a listing among the best child support lawyers in Phoenix.
- Address: 9375 E. Shea Boulevard, Suite 100, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
- Phone: (480) 657-7505
- Website: hougenfamilylaw.com
How to Choose a Family Law Attorney in Arizona
Match the firm to the problem. A divorce with a business, real estate, or trusts involved points to a full-service firm. A grandparent or caregiver seeking time with a child needs someone who knows third-party rights. Couples who still talk to each other may save time and money with a mediation-focused lawyer.
At the first meeting, ask a few plain questions. Who will work on the case each day? How are fees billed? How often will the lawyer give updates? Does the firm try to settle first, or does it lean toward court? The answers show how the case will feel from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best family law attorney in Arizona?
Udall Shumway is the best overall family law firm in Arizona. The Mesa firm has handled divorce, custody, and spousal maintenance cases since 1965 and is recognized by Best Lawyers.
Can grandparents get visitation in Arizona?
Yes, in some cases. Arizona law lets grandparents and certain other third parties ask a court for visitation or legal decision-making. The court looks at the child’s best interests and the parents’ wishes. A lawyer who handles third-party rights, such as Webster Family Law, can explain whether a case qualifies.
Is mediation required in an Arizona divorce?
Not always, but many Arizona courts send parents to mediation when they disagree about parenting time or legal decision-making. Couples can also choose private mediation to settle property and support issues.
Is Arizona a community property state?
Yes. Most property and debt gained during a marriage are treated as shared and are divided between spouses in a divorce.
How long does a divorce take in Arizona?
Arizona has a 60-day waiting period after the other spouse is served. Simple, agreed cases may finish soon after that. Cases with custody or property disputes often take several months or longer.
