FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
AZ Divorce FAQs
I am new to Arizona; may I file for a divorce?
You must be a resident of Arizona for 90 days before you can file for a divorce.
How long will it take to get my divorce?
It depends on your situation.
A divorce cannot be granted before 60 days after service of the petition or acceptance of service of the petition. If your divorce is uncontested and you proceed by default or consent decree, your divorce may be finalized as early as 61 days after service. If your spouse chooses to contest any item or items, it may take much more time.
We have seen some complex cases span several years.
How do I obtain the forms necessary to file for divorce?
The court has forms available at the Self-Service Center or there are online interactive forms available at: http://ecourt.maricopa.gov/index.asp
If you choose to hire an Attorney, mediator or document preparer; they will have the necessary forms for your specific case.
What if I can’t/don’t want to go to the court to get them?
The Self-Service Center’s web site address is: www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/ssc/sschome.html
The site has all the forms you need (except for orders of protection). All forms can be downloaded for free from the site. If you don’t wish to download or have trouble with the site, you may also get forms by mailing in a request for them to the Self-Service Center.
Where is the Self-Service Center?
The Self-Service Center has the following locations:
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Downtown Phoenix
East Court Building 101 W. Jefferson Phoenix, AZ 85003 |
Southeast Court Facility
222 E Javelina Mesa, AZ 85210 |
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Northeast Court Facility
18380 North 40th Street Phoenix, AZ 85032 |
Northwest Court Facility
14264 W. Tierra Buena Surprise, AZ 85374 |
What does it cost to file for dissolution/divorce?
Filing Fees typically range from $200-$300 depending on the type of petition or response required. For the correct fee for your case, call 602-506-3360 or visit: http://clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/fees.asp#Domestic
In certain situations the court may waive the fee. Again, contact the court to obtain paperwork to apply for fee waivers.
If I agree with everything my spouse is asking for do I need to respond?
That will be up to you. If you choose not to respond, your spouse is likely to proceed by default. If you agree and you do respond, you will proceed by filing a consent decree. In either case, the divorce should be finalized in the fastest time possible; however, there is no going back when it is done. If you need help determining if you should agree, legal advice is highly recommended. Also, many issues may be made clearer for you by attending our seminar or purchasing the DVD.
We managed to reach an agreement together. What do we do to get divorced?
You must complete all required paperwork and wait the required 60 days. Then you may complete a consent decree and submit it by mail or schedule a hearing by calling 602-372-3332.
Maybe we don’t agree after all, now what?
You will have to do one of two things, either find a way to come to an agreement with your spouse privately, or contest their petition. If you are contesting, and therefore going to court, it is highly likely you will need to seek some legal advice. Depending on your joint assets and liabilities, additional professional advice may be necessary. Our team of professionals can assist with almost any situation you will encounter.
This has gotten complex and I need HELP! Who can I call?
AZCDE is a great start. Call us at (602) 795-4335 and register to attend our free seminar. Many questions will be answered, some new questions may arise, and you will have the chance to talk with the experts about your specific needs.
If you are unable to attend, you may purchase the DVD to view our seminar in the privacy of your own home.
Our professionals are available to you around the clock. Do not hesitate to contact us when you need divorce education or advice related to financial, legal, credit, housing, emotional health, or other issues.
Questions requiring a specific area of expertise may be directed to the professionals indicated on the bio page.
If you have a question that was not answered here, check the BLOG or you can ask our AZCDE team as a whole by calling (602) 795-4335 or e-mailing us at info@azcde.org
