Logo of Law Office of Cosmas Onya
3636 North Central Avenue STE 800 Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-265-5200
cosmas@cosmasonyia.com
  • Phoenix, AZ Divorce Lawyer
    • Phoenix, AZ Military Divorce Lawyer
    • Phoenix, AZ Contested Divorce Lawyer
  • Child Custody
  • Practice Areas
    • Arizona Paternity/ Maternity
    • Grandparents’ Rights
    • Phoenix Child Support
    • Spousal Support/ Alimony
    • Division of Property
    • Division of Debts
    • Order of Protection
    • Prenuptial Agreements
  • About Us
    • Meet Cosmas Onya
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Pay Online

Family Law Firm in Phoenix

FREE CONSULTATION
Avvo Badge
FindLaw Badge
Justia Badge
Lawlink Badge
Martindale

Request Help Today

Divorce
Child Relocation Out Of State
Property & Asset Division
Legal Seperation

Client Reviews

We have multiple Five Star Reviews from happy clients on Google

Mr. Onyia is a magnificent lawyer, and I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a dedicated and passionate lawyer. He is eloquent in his delivery, as well as direct and efficient. As a client, I felt prepared and looped in at all times, without needing to chase him for an update. If you’re looking for a lawyer who will give you 110%, look no further, he’s the one.

– Deeb H.

Mr. Onyia is an outstanding lawyer! He explained and help walk us through every step. We had lots and lots of questions and he took the time to answer them all either in person, on the phone, or through email. Would highly recommended him. He’s straightforward and reasonably priced. I’m very grateful I found Mr. Onyia.

– Miguel A.

I want to take a moment and recognize this Awesome Lawyer Cosmas Oniya; that took care of my case and blew the other parties lawyer out of the water! Very qualified and has been in the business for over 20 years! I definitely recommend this law firm and have already referred him to family and he also won their case too! I fell as if he went above and beyond for my case and got every wrong thing done to my daughter and I right. He was reasonable with my retainer and allowed me to pay him in time before court. I wouldn’t go any where else for my case needs. Thank you 😊

– Annamarie B.

This attorney is AMAZING!!! His fees were very reasonable. He doesn't try to nickel and dime his services. He returns phone calls in a timely manner. He's a brilliant family law attorney who is also humble. I received GREAT results hiring him. My only disappointment is that I didn't find him years ago. I would definitely recommend Cosmas for any and all family court issues.

– Kama G.

Cosmas is the most genuine, caring and committed attorney we know. His understanding of the law is reflected in his work and his ability to convey that to his clients is appreciated. He communicates effectively and no matter the day he is always available.

– Renee E.

Great lawyer who was very informed and direct. I never felt confused about any step in the process, as he kept us updated and explained everything thoroughly. I highly recommend him if you're looking for a lawyer that truly cares. 10/10

– Rana A.

Great lawyer, attentive to detail, and very thorough. I was kept up to date on everything, and felt very prepared. He knew the case inside and out, and was very efficient. Highly recommend, and will definitely be my go-to lawyer.

– Osama

'The Best' Mr. Onyia walked me through the whole process of family court, great communicator and affordable fees no hidden cost explained everything up front! Thank you Cosmas for a job well done!

– Roberta G.

Very great attorney highly recommend him. He is extremely friendly knowledgeable and helpful and on time with his appointments when they here with my sister for divorce litigation and I’m very glad we did and highly recommend him to you.

– Kelly G.

Had the pleasure to speak to Mr Onyia today and it was above and beyond what I expected, I ended up learning alot and gave me all the knowledge I needed and more, hence gave me confidence in regards to my case. Very much recommended! Thank you sir.

– Mahmoud A.

Mr. Onyia was nothing shy of perfect with his brilliant focus and representation. I would highly recommend him to anyone.

– Rick L.

Mr. Onyia is always available and dedicated to his clients. His expertise far exceeds that of his peers.

– Arthur A.

Cosmas has shown his clients the dedication and tremendous service that they deserve from a Phoenix family law attorney.

– Tempe

Phoenix divorce attorney with tremendous knowledge and experience. One of Arizona's very best in my opinion.

– Brian G.

Amazing Attorney! He helped my uncle and bf. Anytime I can I refer people to him.

– Juanita C.

Family law attorney, Phoenix AZ

FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY IN
PHOENIX

Familial relationships are the foundation of society, but they can be fragile and susceptible to conflict. Sometimes, it's possible to handle familial issues privately without legal intervention. But there are situations where you might require a family lawyer to resolve disputes fairly and preserve family relations.


Guided Legal Counsel for Your Family Matters

Most people believe that family law is designed only for divorce cases. This is reinforced by the fact that family law attorneys often refer to themselves as divorce lawyers. However, this area of law encompasses an extended range of legal issues, including spousal support, child custody, child support, division of debts and property, or grandparents' rights. While going through a divorce can be challenging, the result of having your divorce finalized may feel like a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, for the children, divorce is not as relieving.


If you want to file for divorce, have been served divorce papers, or are struggling with a family law custody battle, you won't want to go through this alone. Having children and seeing them face the divorce process is heartbreaking enough. That's why it's best to seek help from an experienced family law attorney to help you with the process.


When family conflicts arise and can only be settled through legal action, it's vital to engage the services of a trustworthy, compassionate, and experienced attorney. The Law Office of Cosmas Onyia is dedicated to understanding your needs and being your advocate during the most challenging time. We can handle all aspects of family law, from legal separation to divorce or an order of protection.

Law Office Of Cosma Onyia
Practice Areas

The legal team of Cosmas Onyia offers assistance and representation in the following practice areas:

Divorce

Ending your marriage in divorce or separation can lead to long-lasting consequences that burden the entire family. Whether the proceedings are handled amicably or contested, you need a family law attorney who can work towards a peaceful resolution or aggressively defend your rights in court. If you have a large number of assets or debts, have children in common, own a business together, or believe you're entitled to spousal support, schedule a free consultation with Cosmas Onyia.

Divorce

Legal Separation

If you no longer wish to be married, you have two options available: divorce or legal separation. In some instances, an Arizona legal separation is the beginning of the path toward divorce, but in other cases, it's the legal remedy a couple may seek. You and your partner can opt for legal separation while still legally married. If you decide to reconcile, it's easier for one of you to file a request with the court to overturn your original order. There are many reasons why two married individuals would favor legal separation over divorce. The most obvious one is that they aren’t sure if they want to take the final step of divorce. However, there are other practical considerations. For instance, if both spouses are covered by an employer’s benefits, legal separation allows them to continue.

If one of the spouses is sick or hospitalized, the other retains their spousal rights. In some cases, the religion of the married couple prevents them from seeking a divorce. Legal separation allows them to maintain their autonomy while obeying the constraints of religion.

Separation

Paternity/Maternity

Under Arizona law, when a woman is married, her husband is considered the father. However, an unmarried mother is not obliged by law to include the father's name on the child's birth certificate. If a father wishes to have any rights to see the child, he may need to file a paternity claim with the court. However, if the father denies paternity, a paternity test may be necessary so the mother can seek child support.

Baby

Grandparents Rights

Under ARS §25-409, grandparents and great-grandparents' can seek visitation rights when such visitation is in the child’s best interests. Specific qualifications must be met, as the basis for Grandparents' Rights are for the child’s best interests. Grandparents work with the Law Office of Cosmas Onyia to protect their children's rights to have a relationship.

Card Background

Child Custody

Facing a divorce is difficult and time-consuming, but having a minor child may further complicate things. The child's health and well-being must always be a top priority. Before beginning the child custody process, it's best to submit a written parenting plan to a judge.Arizona law distinguishes between physical custody and legal custody. Physical child custody refers to the residence where the child resides. Whereas, legal custody refers to decision-making authority over a child or children. Both parents may also share joint custody or joint legal decision-making authority over their children.

Legal custody refers to the power to make important decisions about the child: where they will attend school, whether they will attend church and where, which doctors they will see, etc. As is the case with physical custody, a parent can have sole legal custody, or they can share legal custody. With joint legal custody, child custody lawyers recommend having a way to determine differences when it comes to decisions where both parents have different opinions.

The child custody attorneys at the Law Office at Cosmas Onyia can help you draft the agreement and iron out any potential disagreements.

Custody

Visitation Rights

Visitation and parenting rights dictate how much time you can spend with your child. Whether the issues are related to time or other significant factors, our family law attorneys will work with you to resolve any of the matters in a way that preserves your children's best interests. Such a legal plan can also spell out details such as when, where, and with whom.

Visitation

Child Support

When determining child support, a court can consider each parent's income, parenting time arrangements, education, health, or medical expenses, or whether a parent is paying spousal maintenance to the other. If you pay or receive child support, the Phoenix child support lawyers at the Law Office of Cosmas Onyia can advise and guide you through initiating, modifying, or challenging a child support order.

Support

Spousal Support

Spousal support or alimony is often a pivotal issue in a divorce proceeding. Some factors determining spousal support include the length of the marriage, income and property of each spouse, both parties' present and future earning capacity, and a spouse's need for education to make a living. Cosmas Onyia can cater to all your needs and deal with complex family dynamics, ensuring you are served justice.

Spousal

Division of Property

Arizona is known as a community property state, meaning there might be two different types of property: community property and separate property. Indeed, community property states usually result in an equal division of property acquired during the marriage. However, here at the Law Office of Cosmas Onyia, we know it's not always the case. Rather than being divided equally in half, most properties are ultimately divided based on equity and fairness.

Division

Division of Debts

With only a few exceptions, debts are divided equally between spouses during an Arizona divorce. The property is considered jointly owned even if a spouse has not worked during the marriage. The same goes for debts incurred during the marriage. If you are seeking a divorce and want justice and fairness to prevail in the outcome, don't hesitate to contact the experienced Phoenix Debt Division Attorney at the Law Office of Cosmas Onyia.

Dept

Order of Protection

A Phoenix order of protection is an ordered legal document prohibiting a person from contacting the protected party. An order of protection can be requested when one of the parties has been physically/psychologically threatened or abused by the defendant. Orders of protection have been designed to prevent future potential harassment or violence.

Order

Request Help Today

Custody battle

About the Attorney

Cosmas Onyia, P.C. is a family law firm helping clients resolve their family law matters since 1996. Attorney Cosmas Onyia has over 25 years of experience representing clients and aggressively fighting for their rights inside and outside the courtroom. He profoundly understands family law and how it can impact his clients’ most private and sensitive issues. That is why Cosmas Onyia approaches each case with compassionate understanding.


Here at Cosmas Onyia, P.C., we believe that each client is unique; that's why we provide personalized solutions that'll tailor to your needs. Mr. Onyia takes the time to listen to your expectations and goals to determine the best plan of action in your case while working hard to defend your legal rights in negotiations and court.

Frequently Asked Questions

The duration of the finalization of the divorce varies from case to case. Arizona divorce proceedings have a 60-day cooling-off period, which starts when serving a divorce petition to the other spouse.

When a divorce petition is filed by one spouse and the parties don’t have disagreements on any issues, the court generally announces a decree after a cooling-off period. However, if you have a conflict with your spouse on crucial issues like child custody and division of assets, the finalization time increases. The duration will depend on the complexity of those issues.

You must have lived in Arizona for at least 90 days to file for divorce as per section 25-312(A)(1) of the Arizona Revised Statutes.

Arizona courts don't favor a parent based on gender when determining child custody. Arizona Revised Statute Section 403.02(B) states that the court shall not give preference to a proposed plan due to the gender of a parent.

The courts serve the best interests of the child. Therefore, they only consider factors that may benefit the child. Some of these factors include:

  • Level of the child's relationship with each parent
  • History of child abuse or domestic violence
  • Potential future relationship between the child and each parent

Arizona courts consider a child's wishes about their living arrangements if they are mature and of a suitable age. But, this is not the sole factor they consider when determining living arrangements. So, where your child will live depends on the facts of your case.

Arizona is a no-fault state; therefore, you don’t need specific grounds to file for divorce. You only need to state that your marriage is irretrievably broken, and there is no hope of reconciliation. You don’t need to prove the fault of your spouse to file for divorce.

However, if you have a covenant marriage, you must establish a specific ground for divorce. You must either both agree to divorce or prove in a court that the other spouse has committed one of the following acts:

  • Adultery
  • A serious crime resulting in imprisonment
  • They abandoned you for at least one year
  • Physical or sexual abuse
  • Domestic violence
  • Living separately for two years
  • Regularly use drugs or alcohol

Phoenix Skyline Photo

Why can’t I file for divorce on my own?

Whether you plan to file for a contested divorce or an uncontested divorce, the assistance of an experienced divorce attorney is advisable.


If your marriage has conflicts, you may not be able to negotiate your fair share due to your history with your spouse.


However, in an uncontested divorce, you may have difficulty dividing marital assets fairly and handling all the legal paperwork.

How long does a family law case take?

The duration of the finalization of the divorce varies from case to case. Arizona divorce proceedings have a 60-day cooling-off period, which starts when serving a divorce petition to the other spouse.


When a divorce petition is filed by one spouse and the parties don’t have disagreements on any issues, the court generally announces a decree after a cooling-off period. However, if you have a conflict with your spouse on crucial issues like child custody and division of assets, the finalization time increases. The duration will depend on the complexity of those issues.

Photo of a Lawyer's Desk
Family

Why choose Cosmas Onyia for your family law case in Phoenix, AZ?

The family law attorneys at the Law Office Of Cosmas Onyia are dedicated and committed to helping clients with their complex family law matters. For over twenty years, we have helped people negotiate child support, child custody, visitation agreements, protection orders, and resolve property division and debts.



When you contact our family law firm, you will find a team that aims to find the ideal solutions to accomplish your goals. You can rest assured that we will assert your interests and help you start a new life. If you need help with your divorce or family law matters, please get in touch with the Law Office Of Cosmas Onyia in Phoenix, AZ. Call us to schedule your free initial consultation at 602-265-5200, and let us protect your interests.

Photo of Person Filing Divorce

Filing for Divorce


Filing for a divorce in Phoenix, can be a complicated matter, especially if there are assets, property and parenting time that are to be divided between the couple filing divorce in Arizona. As an experienced Phoenix divorce lawyer our job is to provide expert advice, and work diligently to protect your interests.

Photo of Child

Child Custody


Child custody cases can be emotional for both parties involved. Different types of child custody exist in Arizona. Our Phoenix child custody lawyer has handled many cases resulting in favorable outcomes.

Photo of Man

About The Attorney


Cosmas Onyia, P.C. is a family law firm helping clients resolve their family law matters since 1996. Attorney Cosmas Onyia has over 25 years of experience representing clients and aggressively fighting for their rights inside and outside the courtroom. He profoundly understands family law and how it can impact your well-being.

Here at Cosmas Onyia, P.C., we believe that each client is unique; that's why we provide personalized solutions that are tailored to your needs. Mr. Onyia takes the time to listen to your expectations and goals to determine the best plan of action in your case while working hard to defend your legal rights in negotiations and court.

Phoenix Divorce Attorney
Blog & Tag Cloud

What Are the Most Common Financial Mistakes Made During Divorce?

May 12, 2025

Is My Spouse Entitled to Half My Business in a Divorce?

May 06, 2025

What Are the Alternatives to Divorce Court?

May 01, 2025

How is Child Custody Determined?

April 29, 2025

Can I Get Custody Even If the Divorce Was My Fault?

April 06, 2025

How To Go About Receiving Arizona Child Support – Phoenix Attorney Information

March 26, 2025

Can Child Support Arrears Be Reduced or Even Erased in Arizona?

March 26, 2025

Child Support from beginning to end

March 26, 2025

What Papers Do I Need to File to Begin Divorce Proceedings?

March 14, 2025

What is a Default Divorce?

March 10, 2025
Couple arguing in front of the child

PHOENIX FAMILY LAW & DIVORCE ATTORNEY COSMAS ONYIA | Divorce Attorney Phoenix

CALL FOR CONSULTATION 602-265-5200
Avvo Badge
FindLaw Badge
Justia Badge
Lawlink Badge
Martindale
Top RatedPhoenixDivorce Lawyer
Cosmas Onyia

All Rights Reserved 2025 © Law Office of Cosmas Onya