Brenda Friedrich said:
in arizona, in a legal marriage where a spouse abandons a wife/husband and children with a note that said, "you are on your own" without any forwarding address/information, Does the remaining parent have any additional claims to the community property if he/she is now completely responsible for financially maintaining the family. That would include the house note. Thank You
My response:
Yes. Arizona is a Community Property State. However, everything that you pay for, from the date of separation (e.g., the date you received the note) is yours. That includes credit for mortgage payments and valuation of the home. For example, if the house was worth $50,000.00 on the date of separation, but by the time your divorce is final the house is worth $75,000.00, your spouse is only entitled to a share based upon the $50,000.00 valuation.
See an attorney immediately to file a Petition for Dissolution of the marriage. You don't need to know where your spouse is located in order to accomplish the divorce. Your attorney will explain how.
Good luck to you.
IAAL
