Our vision is to create plain english, trauma-informed approaches that help families take the reins back from family court.
Our vision is to create plain english, trauma-informed approaches that help families take the reins back from family court.
Our Story
At our firm, we understand that family law isn’t just legal—it’s deeply personal.
Colleen is a mother of three children with special needs and has been navigating family court since 2017. Her firsthand experience gives her a deep empathy for clients and drives her commitment to making the court process more accessible and affordable for families.
Steven brings over 30 years of family court litigation experience. As a single father who fought for equal parenting time while managing a business, he knows the challenges clients face and works tirelessly to help them move forward with clarity and confidence.
Together, Colleen and Steven provide compassionate, experienced advocacy for families in transition.
Your Trust, Our Commitment
We speak clearly and directly, so you always understand what’s happening. Our team is sensitive to the emotional weight of family legal issues and creates a supportive, respectful environment. We take the time to truly listen and treat you with care. And when it’s time to take action, we stand strong, protect your interests, and fight for the outcome you deserve.
We prioritize clear language so everyone can understand the support we provide.
Our services are designed to acknowledge and respect past experiences, fostering healing.
We approach every situation with empathy, understanding the nuances of individual needs.
We fight with purpose and passion to protect your rights and secure the best possible outcome.
Our Expertise
We have experience handling high-conflict and complex family law cases, including those involving protective orders, domestic violence, child abuse investigations, mental health concerns, and substance use. Our team also understands the unique challenges of cases involving neurodivergent children, special needs, third-party rights, and complicated asset division.
Every area below is a full family law service we offer, including limited scope representation when full representation isn’t the right fit.
High Conflict & Complex Cases
We bring structure and clarity to situations where emotions run high and solutions feel out of reach.
Protective Orders
Whether filing or defending, we ensure all legal standards are met and your rights are protected throughout the process.
Domestic Violence & Post-Separation Abuse
We provide trauma-informed support for those facing domestic violence or ongoing abuse after separation, with safety and dignity as our top priorities.
Child Abuse & the Department of Child Safety Involvement
Navigating child abuse allegations and agency involvement requires both legal expertise and compassion—we’re here to help every step of the way.
Mental Health & Personality Disorders
Our team works carefully to integrate medical insights with legal strategy, helping families navigate complex emotional and psychological issues.
Substance Abuse
Our team navigates the complexities of substance abuse in family law, ensuring your rights and your family’s safety remain a priority.
Special Needs & Neuro-Divergent Children
Understanding the unique challenges faced by special needs and neurodivergent children helps us advocate for solutions that prioritize their well-being and growth.
Complex Asset Division
We navigate the complexities of dividing high-value or complicated assets to ensure a fair and thorough resolution.
Third-Party Rights & Grandparents’ Rights
We guide grandparents and other third parties through the legal process to secure visitation or custody when appropriate.
Why AZFLR
We’ve Been in Your Shoes—Now We’re in Your Corner.
At AZFLR, we do more than practice family law—we walk alongside you through some of life’s most difficult moments. We know how overwhelming divorce, custody disputes, or issues involving domestic violence and child abuse can be—because we’ve lived it, too.
That personal understanding shapes the way we work: with compassion, clear communication, and a commitment to helping you make confident decisions every step of the way. We have particular experience supporting families with special needs children, and we tailor our legal strategies to reflect your unique circumstances.
We also built a free Arizona family court self-help guide for anyone who needs to understand the process before they talk to anyone.
Our Team
Your Case. Our Team. One Mission.
At AZFLR, our strength is in our team. Our attorneys, paralegals, and support staff collaborate to deliver compassionate, strategic, and effective legal representation. With a shared commitment to client success, we bring diverse experience and a collaborative approach to every case. When you work with us, you’re backed by a team that genuinely cares and fights for the best possible outcome. We understand, because we have been there too.
Whether through mediation or strong courtroom advocacy, we’re here to fight for what matters most—and we offer flexible payment plans for affordable representation to help you move forward without added stress.
Owning Partners
Owning Partner / Family Law Attorney
It’s not common to find someone with a project management background – detail-oriented, meticulous to the core – who then, at the flip of a switch, can bring a compassionate perspective to the table. Wrap this all up with a legal background, and you’ve got Colleen Contreras. Before embarking on her legal career, Colleen ran a consulting practice aimed at providing project management services to philanthropic foundations. She later worked closely with children with a range of disabilities, providing an invaluable perspective on the day-to-day struggles of this particular population. A Juris Doctor degree from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law, a certified Project Management Professional, and a Certificate in Law, Science, and Technology with a focus in Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Colleen’s career evolved into the law because she believed a change in the system was not only possible but necessary. Families need support during life’s tough transitions from someone who gets it. Colleen is completing her LLM in Dispute Resolution at ASU School of Law with an emphasis on Domestic Violence.
Credentials
Owning Partner / Family Law Attorney
Divorce can bring out the worst in people. From manipulative behavior to outright bullying, the tactics used by opposing parties can be devastating. Steven Cole can help you stand up to those who seek to take advantage of you. Steve is highly skilled at using depositions to acquire testimony before trial. This technique often leads to higher settlements and more parenting time for his clients. Steve’s main goal is to empower you to move towards a brighter future. A future where you are back in the driver’s seat. A future where you can spend your money the way you want to. And raise your kids the way you want. And live life on your terms. With Steve in your corner, you will receive the aggressive advocacy you deserve. Steve will give you an honest assessment of your options, and he won’t sugarcoat the risks and potential impact of family law issues on your family.
Credentials
Awards & Honors
Client Care Team
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Office Manager
Vicky Neuman
Office Manager
With over thirty years of experience welcoming clients to our practice, assisting them in navigating the challenges of legal financing, and ensuring quick responses to questions, Vicky is the smiling face and warm heart of the practice.
Paralegal
Yael Alvarez
Paralegal
Yael is a working mom of three with more than a decade of experience supporting individuals and families as they navigate complex legal systems. Her career has included work with organizations such as Defenders of Children, the Attorney General’s Office – Office of Victim Services, and other nonprofit organizations that support survivors of domestic violence. Yael is passionate about making legal processes feel more accessible and less overwhelming for those going through them.
Legal Assistant
Lorraine Felix
Legal Assistant
Lorraine is a mom in a blended family of 6 with personal experience in the Arizona Family Court System. She graduated Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Studies and Human and Family Development and has a Certificate in Socio Legal Studies and a Minor in History.
Whether you’re facing a complex case or simply need guidance, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and strength. Contact Arizona Family Law Ranch today for a confidential consultation.
(480) 333-5588 · team@azflr.com
8706 E Manzanita Drive, Suite 200, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Steven Cole has been my attorney for almost a year. He is amazing and I don’t know what I would do without him representing me. He’s very experienced, incredibly smart, communicative, knows how to respond to difficult opposing counsel, and stays on top of my case. He also gives me solid advice. Mr. Cole truly has all of the qualities that make an excellent attorney. I feel safe with him. As a survivor of domestic violence, safety for myself and my children means everything.
I was referred to Colleen and her team by a friend of mine. When I reached out, I was met with prompt reply and added to Colleen’s schedule immediately. As someone who has been representing herself through an entire (messy) divorce with kids, being met with kindness, understanding, and the knowledge that these women have, was something that I will forever be grateful for. Colleen and her team have come up with easy to follow outlines, that truly took so much weight off of going to trial as a self representative. I would absolutely refer any of my family or friends going through similar experiences to them.
Colleen and Sharon make a great team and have been a bright light in the very dark and unjust cesspool we call the family court system of Arizona. There is a lengthy list of nasty, unethical and passive family lawyers here in the Valley, and I've been victim to four of them before finding AZ Family Law Ranch. This firm is different...If you have a family court matter, I'd highly recommend them. They are the best I've found.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the family court process, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to face it without guidance. Our blogs are written with heart and purpose, offering plain-English explanations, helpful resources, and encouragement for every step of your journey. Our content isn’t posted to pander to algorithms or earn better rankings—they’re real support, created by people who genuinely care about helping you find clarity and confidence in a difficult time.
If you’re in the middle of a family court case right now, someone has probably told you to “just hold it together a little longer.” You’re managing filings, custody schedules, your kids’ questions, your own grief — and somewhere in there you’re still supposed to show up at work looking fine.
