Family Law Resources

Filing for Divorce in Arizona

Residency Requirements

At least one spouse must have been domiciled in Arizona for 90 days before filing.

Grounds for Divorce

Arizona is a no-fault state. The only ground is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken."

Step-by-Step Process

1. Complete the Petition for Dissolution


2. File with Superior Court in your county


3. Pay filing fee: Approximately $280-$350


4. Serve your spouse: Personal service or acceptance of service


5. Wait 60 days: Mandatory waiting period


6. Complete parent information program (if children)


7. Negotiation or trial


8. Decree of Dissolution

Covenant Marriage

Arizona has a special Covenant Marriage option with stricter requirements for divorce.

Arizona Court Structure

Family law cases in Arizona are heard in Superior Court. Each of Arizona's 15 counties has a Superior Court with a family law division. Maricopa County (Phoenix) and Pima County (Tucson) have the largest family courts.

Major County Courts

Maricopa County (Phoenix)

Central Court Building

201 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003

(602) 506-3204

Arizona's largest family court system

Pima County (Tucson)

Pima County Superior Court

110 W. Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701

(520) 724-3200

Pinal County

Pinal County Superior Court

971 N. Jason Lopez Circle, Florence, AZ 85132

(520) 866-5300

Yavapai County

Yavapai County Superior Court

120 S. Cortez Street, Prescott, AZ 86303

(928) 777-3400

Coconino County

Coconino County Superior Court

200 N. San Francisco Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

(928) 679-7600

Find Your Court

Arizona Courts directory: azcourts.gov/AZ-Courts/Find-a-Court

E-Filing

Many Arizona counties use TurboCourt or AZTurboCourt for electronic filing. Maricopa County uses a different e-filing system.

E-filing info: azcourts.gov/efiling

Self-Help Centers

Arizona courts have Self-Service Centers providing:

• Free forms and instructions


• Help with paperwork (not legal advice)


• Referrals to legal aid

Arizona Self-Help: azcourts.gov/selfservicecenter

Conciliation Court

Some Arizona counties offer Conciliation Court services - confidential counseling to help couples considering divorce decide whether to reconcile or proceed.

Filing Fees in Arizona

Superior Court Fees (2025)

• Petition for Dissolution: $280-$350 (varies by county)


• Response: $200-$270


• Motion to Modify: $100-$150

Fee Deferral/Waiver

If you cannot afford fees, file an Application for Deferral or Waiver of Filing Fees. You may qualify if:

• You receive public assistance


• Your income is below 150% of poverty level

Other Costs

• Process server: $50-$100


• Parent information program: $40-$75


• Mediation: Court-connected often reduced cost

Arizona Legal Aid Organizations

Community Legal Services (CLS)

Serves Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai, Coconino, Apache, Navajo

(800) 852-9075

clsaz.org

Southern Arizona Legal Aid (SALA)

Serves Southern Arizona counties

(800) 640-9465

sazlegalaid.org

DNA-People's Legal Services

Serves Native American communities

(800) 789-7287

dnalegalservices.org

Statewide Resources

AZLawHelp.org

Find legal aid and self-help resources

azlawhelp.org

Arizona Bar Lawyer Referral Service

(602) 257-4434

$35 for 30-minute consultation

Volunteer Lawyers Program

Pro bono legal services through the State Bar

azflse.org

Court Self-Service Centers

Arizona Superior Courts offer excellent self-help resources:

• Free forms and instructions for divorce, custody, support


• Staff to help with paperwork


• Referrals to legal aid

azcourts.gov/selfservicecenter

Law School Clinics

• Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law - Family Law Clinic


• University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law - Child & Family Law Clinic

Domestic Violence Resources

Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence:

1-800-782-6400

acesdv.org

Conciliation Court

Some counties offer free or low-cost counseling through Conciliation Court to help families in crisis.

Income Guidelines

Most legal aid programs serve those with income below 125-200% of federal poverty level. A family of 4 typically qualifies with income under $60,000-$75,000/year.

Critical Deadlines in Arizona

Response Time

If served, you have 20 days to file a Response (30 days if served outside Arizona).

60-Day Waiting Period

Arizona has a mandatory 60-day waiting period from service before the divorce can be finalized.

Preliminary Injunction

Upon filing, a preliminary injunction goes into effect automatically, preventing disposal of assets or removal of children.

Parent Information Program

Parents must complete a parent information program within 45 days of the case being at issue.

Appeals

You have 30 days from entry of judgment to file a Notice of Appeal.

Community Property State

Arizona is one of 9 community property states:

• Property acquired during marriage is presumed community property (owned 50/50)


• Community property is divided "equitably" - usually 50/50 but not always


• Separate property (owned before marriage, gifts, inheritance) stays with that spouse


• Community debts are also divided

"Legal Decision-Making" Terminology

Arizona changed its terminology in 2013:

• Legal Decision-Making replaced "legal custody"


• Parenting Time replaced "visitation"


• This was meant to reduce the "winner/loser" mentality of custody battles

Covenant Marriage

Arizona is one of only 3 states that recognizes covenant marriage - a stricter form of marriage with:

• Pre-marriage counseling requirement


• Limited grounds for divorce (must prove fault OR live apart 2+ years)


• Counseling requirement before divorce

Most Arizona marriages are standard, but covenant marriages require different divorce procedures.

Domestic Violence Presumption

Arizona has a strong presumption against giving legal decision-making to a parent who has committed domestic violence:

• Significant domestic violence creates a rebuttable presumption against that parent having sole or joint legal decision-making


• The parent must prove by preponderance of evidence that it's in the child's best interest

Maximizing Parenting Time

Arizona law explicitly requires courts to maximize each parent's parenting time. The policy is to ensure children have substantial, frequent, and continuing contact with both parents.

Conciliation Court

Arizona offers Conciliation Court in some counties - a unique service that provides:

• Confidential counseling for couples considering divorce


• Help with parenting plans and conflict resolution


• Often free or low-cost

No Permanent Alimony Presumption

Arizona doesn't favor permanent spousal maintenance (alimony). Courts consider:

• The standard of living during marriage


• Duration of the marriage


• Age, health, and earning ability of each spouse


• Ability of the paying spouse to pay

Long-term maintenance is less common than in some other states.

Court-Appointed Advisors

In contested custody cases, Arizona courts may appoint:

• Best Interest Attorney - Represents the child's best interests


• Court-Appointed Advisor - Investigates and makes recommendations


• Parenting Coordinator - Helps high-conflict parents implement orders

Grandparent Visitation

Arizona allows grandparents to petition for visitation if:

• The marriage is dissolved


• One parent has been absent for 3+ months


• The child was born out of wedlock

Must prove visitation is in the child's best interest.