Divorce Resources in Arizona: Court Forms, Legal Aid & Filing Guide

To file for divorce in Arizona, you must file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the Superior Court in the county where either spouse resides. Arizona requires at least one spouse to have been domiciled in the state for a minimum of 90 days before filing, per A.R.S. § 25-312. Arizona is a no-fault state, meaning the only ground required is that the marriage is irretrievably broken under A.R.S. § 25-312(3). The state base filing fee is $261 (Class C), though county surcharges raise the total to approximately $330-$376 depending on your county, as authorized by A.R.S. § 12-284 and A.R.S. § 11-251.08. You must file the Petition (Form DRDA10F without children or DRDC15F with children), a Summons (DR11F), and a Preliminary Injunction (DR14F).

After filing, you must serve the petition, summons, and preliminary injunction on your spouse. Service may be accomplished through personal delivery by a process server or sheriff, by acceptance of service, or by alternative methods approved by the court under A.R.S. § 25-311 and Arizona Rule of Family Law Procedure 40. The respondent has 20 days from personal service to file a Response (Form DRDA31F or DRDC31F), or 30 days if served by acceptance of service or outside Arizona. The response filing fee is approximately $172-$279 depending on the county. If the respondent fails to file a timely response, you may file an Application and Affidavit for Default (DRD61F), giving the respondent 10 additional court days before a default decree may be entered per Arizona Rule of Family Law Procedure 44.

Upon filing, the Preliminary Injunction under A.R.S. § 25-315(A) automatically takes effect, prohibiting both parties from transferring, encumbering, concealing, or disposing of marital property; harassing, disturbing the peace, or committing domestic violence against the other party; removing minor children from Arizona without written consent or court order; and making changes to existing insurance policies. Both parties must complete mandatory financial disclosure under Arizona Rule of Family Law Procedure 49 within 40 days of the response being filed. This includes providing income documentation for the past two years, an Affidavit of Financial Information in cases involving child support, and information about all community property, separate property, and debts owned or owed by either spouse.

Arizona imposes a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date of service before a divorce decree may become final, per A.R.S. § 25-329. In cases involving minor children under 18, both parents must complete a court-approved Parent Education Program within 45 days of service under A.R.S. § 25-351. The class covers the effects of divorce on children, co-parenting strategies, and reducing conflict. Parents must attend separate classes, and the program provider files a certificate of completion with the court. A parenting plan (Form DRCVG11F) addressing legal decision-making and parenting time must be submitted. If parties cannot agree on child-related issues, the court may order mediation or refer the case to a conciliation court under A.R.S. § 25-381.09.

Arizona law requires both parents to complete a court-approved Parent Education Program in all dissolution, legal separation, and paternity proceedings involving minor children under age 18, per A.R.S. § 25-351. Both the petitioner and respondent must register for and complete the class within 45 days from the date the petition is served on the responding party. The respondent must complete the class regardless of whether a Response is filed. Parents must attend separate classes to prevent any potential harassment or abuse. The educational program covers the emotional, psychological, financial, and physical effects of divorce on adults and children, as well as positive communication techniques, improved co-parenting strategies, and recognizing warning signs of a child in distress. Upon completion, the program provider electronically files a certificate of completion with the court. An additional $45 parent education fee is assessed per A.R.S. § 25-352 in cases involving children. If filing fees have been waived or deferred, the parent education class fee may also be waived or deferred. Online and in-person options are available through court-approved providers, though some counties may require in-person attendance. The Arizona Supreme Court sets minimum standards for program content, provider qualifications, and program evaluation under A.R.S. § 25-351(C).

Arizona courts actively encourage and frequently require mediation in family law cases. Under A.R.S. § 25-381.23, in counties where the superior court has established a conciliation court, judges may by local rule require one or more mandatory hearings or conferences to further the purposes of conciliation, including amicable settlement of disputes between spouses. Either spouse may also voluntarily petition for conciliation services under A.R.S. § 25-381.09, either before or after a dissolution action is filed, for the purpose of preserving the marriage or reaching an amicable settlement. The conciliation court must complete its services within 60 days of the petition being filed. Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure Rules 66 through 69 govern Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including confidentiality of ADR communications (Rule 66), court-ordered ADR procedures (Rule 67), mediator qualifications and conduct (Rule 68), and settlement agreements reached through ADR (Rule 69). Parties must file an Alternative Dispute Resolution Statement (Form DRAD10F) with the court indicating their willingness and readiness for ADR. The court may grant exemptions from mandatory mediation if compliance would cause undue hardship. Maricopa County and other large counties routinely order mediation in contested custody and parenting time disputes before allowing cases to proceed to trial.

Arizona mandates comprehensive financial disclosure in all dissolution proceedings under Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure Rule 49. Within 40 days of filing a response to the initial petition, each party must disclose in writing detailed financial information to the other side. Required disclosures include income documentation for the past two years (tax returns, W-2 forms, 1099 forms), documentation of all community and separate property, retirement accounts, bank accounts, real estate holdings, and all debts and liabilities. In cases involving child support, parties must serve a fully completed Affidavit of Financial Information (AFI) — substantially in the form set forth in Rule 97, Form 2 — along with proof of income from all sources. The AFI is used to calculate income and determine child support obligations under the Arizona Child Support Guidelines per A.R.S. § 25-320. Disclosure statements are served directly on the other party or their attorney and are generally not filed with the court, except for the AFI. The disclosure obligation under Rule 49 is ongoing throughout the case — any new information must be shared within 30 days of discovery, or sooner if a hearing is scheduled within 30 days. Failure to provide accurate and timely disclosure may result in court sanctions, including assessment of attorney fees and costs. Providing false information constitutes perjury.