Dorian Eden | Phoenix Divorce & Family Lawyer

• American Bar Association | Member
• Arizona State Bar Association | Member
• Maricopa County Bar Association | Member
• Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce | Member

• International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award International Academy of Trial Lawyers
  2002
• William H. Wallace Litigation Award William H. Wallace
  2002

A. One of my clients was going through a divorce. Her husband was self-employed. Oddly enough, he claimed that his business decreased significantly as soon as wife filed for divorce. He also claimed he was not able to pay her spousal maintenance and argued she did not qualify, even though she had roughly earned minimum wage during their 20 year marriage, and he earned well above six-figures each year. She mainly took care of the children and house during the marriage so husband could start and run his business. Ultimately, we had to go to trial and following trial, the court ordered spousal maintenance in the amount we requested, equalization payment for her interest in the business (along with payment due dates), and found that husband's behavior during the case was unreasonable. In so finding that the husband's behavior was unreasonable, the court ordered him to pay half of wife's attorney's fees and costs. B. A longtime client was a victim of domestic violence throughout the parties' marriage. During the divorce case, the father alleged that mother sexually abused their child. DCS and the police investigated, ultimately finding no wrongdoing by my client. After a comprehensive family evaluation and lengthy trial, the court ruled my client would have sole legal decision making, and allowed her to relocate the child to another state. Father was ordered to undergo significant counseling. He failed to comply and repeatedly has tried to circumvent court orders. I have represented my client for years, through multiple mental health providers being involved, and multiple evidentiary hearings on what is in the child's best interest. The court has repeatedly found the father likely suffers from mental health disorders, based on statements made by the various mental health providers who have been involved. It has been a long, very difficult fight, but ultimately, the child's best interests are being protected. In Arizona, the presumption is equal parenting time is in a child's best interest. It takes a lot of work and evidence to rebut the presumption.

The vast majority of my clients are referred to me by previous or current clients, people I know in the community or other lawyers. I do not do much advertising. I believe that people are able to make the best decisions for them and their family when they have as much information as possible. I spend a lot of time educating my clients on what the law is in Arizona and discussing options, costs and likely outcomes. We discuss the pros and cons of taking a particular course of action. I have a very good reputation as a caring, reasonable and responsible lawyer within the community. I am known for representing people fairly and when appropriately, aggressively. However, most people do not benefit from an overly aggressive attorney. Honesty, fair billing and educating clients has helped me build a very successful and well-respected law firm.

Clients should trust their attorney. If they do not trust the attorney, then they need to look elsewhere. They should be looking for someone who will fight for them, but also be realistic about expectations. A lawyer should be honest with a client, not tell a client what the client wants to hear. Clients should understand and be able to ask questions about the process, what to expect and how much it will cost. A client should be expect to be able to communicate timely with their attorney.

Extremely important. Family law changes constantly, whether by new court of appeals rulings or the legislature changing statutes. Without knowledge as to current changes or who the current judges are, the client will be a clear disadvantage. Clients need representation from someone who works in family law a lot, not someone who dabbles in it.

I do not offer free consultations. I have in the past. Free consultations are limited in time - generally 30 minutes or so and that is not sufficient time to give a potential client any meaningful advice. In addition, there are a lot of people looking for free legal advice. A person would not consult with a doctor for free medical advice on a particular illness. I have a lot of knowledge and experience in family law. My consultation are generally 1.5-2 hours. Potential clients leave with significantly more insight than when s/he first came in.

I really get to know my clients. I spend a lot of time educating them and talking through options and scenarios. My clients are not pushed off to other attorneys or someone just starting out. I am with them throughout the process. I do let them know I have a paralegal and we discuss the benefits, usually the financial benefits, of having a paralegal involved.

Knowing that I have truly helped someone during one of the worst experiences of their lives.

I love to hike and am an avid reader.

Yes, I have been involved in different organizations over the years. For the past 6 years, I have served on the Board of Managers for the Ahwatukee YMCA. I am also very involved in schools within our community.