{"id":416,"date":"2021-08-06T17:53:24","date_gmt":"2021-08-06T17:53:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/divorceanswers.com\/?p=416"},"modified":"2022-07-28T09:47:39","modified_gmt":"2022-07-28T14:47:39","slug":"divorce-in-arizona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/divorceanswers.com\/divorce-in-arizona\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Complete Guide to Getting a Divorce in Arizona"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Divorce Laws<\/a> | Residency Requirements<\/a> | Grounds for Divorce<\/a> | Divorce Attorney<\/a> | Filing for Divorce<\/a> | Online Divorce<\/a> | How Long?<\/a> | Divorce Costs<\/a> | Custody<\/a> | Child Support<\/a> | Alimony<\/a> | Division of Asset<\/a> | Common-Law Marriage<\/a> | Alternatives<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Choosing to end a marriage is not typically an easy decision or one to take lightly. Divorces in Arizona can be challenging with all the nuances involved. For example, if you and your spouse have children together and joint assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also different types of divorces in Arizona, various laws, and other factors that play into this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you're thinking of filing for divorce and aren't sure about how to go about it or where to start, keep reading to learn everything there is to know about getting a divorce in Arizona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you're filing for a divorce in Arizona, the process is not a subjective subject matter. Instead, there are several specific laws in place that help all parties perform the divorce correctly according to these laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arizona is a no-fault divorce state and marriage and divorce laws are governed by the Arizona Revised Statutes<\/a> and the Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two types of divorces you can file for in the state of Arizona, contested and uncontested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A contested divorce is when spouses don't agree on all or only some aspects of their divorce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you and your spouse can both agree on all the terms that will finalize your divorce, you can file for an uncontested divorce in Arizona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arizona is a community property state. A community property state means that any property acquired during the marriage belongs to both parties. Community property can include houses, debts, pensions, IRAs, 401ks, and retirement plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if one spouse acquired assets during the marriage, but they were given as a gift or inherited, they will treat them as the property of the individual that was gifted the asset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Arizona, you may hear alimony referred to as spousal maintenance. The law differentiates between two types of alimony, temporary or permanent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You or your spouse will pay temporary alimony only during the divorce process, and either will pay permanent alimony after you finalize the divorce. Courts tend only to require people to pay alimony until the other can get back on their feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If children are involved in the divorce, the courts will require both parents to contribute to the children's well-being. They calculate the amount based on several factors, which we will discuss later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How the courts decide which parent gets custody of the children is also based on several factors. Ideally, courts favor giving joint custody to both parents if it's in the children's best interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If one parent has substance abuse issues, it's less likely that the courts will grant joint custody and give sole custody to the sober parent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bifurcation allows both parties to say that they're single while the divorce is still processing if they choose. Even before you finalize the divorce, declaring yourself single will not affect the division of assets or custody and child support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The law surrounding disclosure and discovery states that both parties must disclose all assets to one another. Fully disclosing assets allows the attorneys and courts to divide the assets as they see fit accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you're the one filing for divorce in Arizona, your spouse has 20 days to respond if they're living in the state and 30 if they're elsewhere. If your spouse does not respond within the appropriate time frame, the divorce can end by default.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While this isn't a type of divorce, it's worth mentioning. In 1998, Arizona signed a law that gives couples the option to enter a covenant marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To enter a covenant marriage, both parties must attend premarital counseling and sign a document to do their best to make the marriage work when times get rough. If you and your spouse have a covenant marriage, the courts will only grant you a divorce for particular reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since you sign paperwork stating you'll both do your best to make the marriage work before marrying each other, that's why the courts only grant divorces for these marriages under certain circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples of reasons the court will grant a divorce are if someone cheated or domestic violence is involved. If you're wondering whether you have a covenant marriage, your marriage license will state if you do or don't.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The residency requirements in Arizona are minimal compared to other states. To initiate a divorce, at least one spouse needs to have been a resident of Arizona for at least 90 days<\/a>. You cannot file for one before these 90 days unless it's under exceptional circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those in the armed forces or have previously been in the armed forces, if the military stationed you in Arizona for 90 continuous days, that counts as residency under Arizona law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you've lived in Arizona for 90 days or more with your spouse, but they now live out of state, you can still file for divorce in Arizona. The divorce may take longer due to the spouse not living in another state, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if you have children under 18 years old, the residency requirements are longer. You must have residency in Arizona for at least six months before you can begin filing for a divorce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arizona is a “no-fault” state. A no-fault state means that neither spouse has to declare the reason for the divorce, other than that it is “irretrievably broken.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once both spouses have made this statement, a judge will decide if that's true. Once they do, they'll grant the divorce, and the process can begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you and your spouse stated on your marriage license that you entered a covenant marriage<\/a>, the judge could only grant you a divorce if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You have the option to use a divorce attorney or go without. While the decision is ultimately up to you, there are situations in which hiring an excellent divorce attorney is in your best interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, when divorcing a narcissist<\/a>, a good attorney will be able to negotiate on your behalf so you can keep your sanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you and your spouse are filing for an uncontested divorce, you may not need to bother hiring an attorney. Since you both agree on everything surrounding the divorce, hiring an attorney may ultimately be a waste of money for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you and your spouse can't seem to agree on every aspect of the divorce, hiring an attorney is beneficial. Both attorneys can bring everything to the table and hopefully work out a settlement that makes both of you happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hiring an attorney is especially important if the divorce is contentious. Many divorces get messy when children are involved. An experienced attorney can ensure that the best possible outcome comes for that child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you know getting a divorce is for the best, it's a stressful and often upsetting time. If you plan on hiring an attorney to help, it's crucial to find one that is not only experienced but one you feel comfortable handling your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When searching for the best divorce attorney (for you) in Arizona to handle your case, there are several factors you'll want to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are some of the most important things that make a world of difference between a great divorce attorney and a bad one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though you know the qualities you want in a divorce attorney, finding one that fits the bill can be challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best ways to find a great attorney in Arizona is to do a Google search. Often you'll want to find someone who specializes in family law or divorces. Usually, these terms will appear next to their name or law firm to avoid the guessing game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another option is to ask your friends you trust. If they've used a great divorce attorney in Arizona before, it may be worth reaching out to the attorney they used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you begin working with an attorney, you will want to interview them. Interviewing an attorney allows you to see how well you would work together, their ability to handle your case, and if you feel comfortable with them doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you've set up a meeting with a divorce attorney, you'll want to go in prepared with questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you're speaking with the attorney, more questions may naturally come up. That's perfectly okay, but these are some great ones to get you started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An initial consultation fee is what most attorneys charge to hear why you need an attorney. An attorney will usually consider everything you've presented and then decide how to proceed with your case or respectfully decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since they're taking the time to meet with you and discuss the basics of your case, they charge a fee for their time. The fee will vary depending on the attorney you use<\/strong>, and there's nothing wrong with asking what the amount is before booking a consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Attorney-client privilege extends to anything surrounding your case. Even the initial consultation will be confidential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you can officially divorce your spouse, there are several steps in the process you need to go through before that happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You'll need to prepare the divorce forms, file the documents, serve those papers to your spouse, and begin negotiations on who gets what.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What forms you'll need to complete and the extra steps involved depend on the type of divorce you're filing for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro Tip:<\/strong> The information below is perfect for you to get an overview of the divorce filing process and also use as a guide if you will be filing for divorce on your own. However, if you are using an attorney, their team will typically be taking care of these steps as part of their proper representation of you as a client.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The first step in filing for a divorce in Arizona is to prepare all the necessary forms to file. The documents you'll need are mostly the same, but some may differ depending on if you're planning on hiring an attorney or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find the appropriate forms on the Arizona Judicial Branch<\/a> website. You'll notice that there are two separate forms on the website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One is for a divorce with no children, or all the children are over 18 years old, and the other for spouses with minor children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Petition of Dissolution of Marriage is the form where you'll outline what you're asking for. The petition can include if you're asking for alimony, assets, child support, etc. The summons is what will be served to your spouse, including an outline of the petition of divorce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The health insurance form allows each spouse to convert their health insurance when separating. The preliminary injunction disallows both spouses to make any significant decisions regarding assets until the courts can evaluate the divorce. Lastly, the notice to creditors notifies both spouses about their responsibilities surrounding any debts they've both accumulated during the marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you're divorcing your spouse and you have children together, you'll be responsible for filing two additional forms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For some people, it's easier to fill out the forms online, but you're welcome to print out the documents and fill them out by hand. If you're filling them out by hand, it's important to write clearly so that there's no confusion on your responses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It's vital that you fill out the divorce forms honestly and not leave anything blank. Unless there's a section that is not applicable, you'll address why you are filing for the divorce, which you're welcome to be detailed on, or simply put that the marriage is irretrievably broken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will need to prove that you've been a resident of Arizona for at least 90 days without children and six months if you have kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep in mind that these forms are from the Arizona Judicial Branch. Depending on the county in Arizona you live in, there may be more required forms before you can file for divorce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you've completed all the necessary divorce forms, you can file them at the courthouse. When you're ready to file, be sure to make three copies of every document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You'll need three copies because you will turn one into the court, you'll need a copy for your records, and a process server will deliver the other to your spouse for notification of divorce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court will require the originals of the documents, and the others help create the Summons and Petition for Divorce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you're filing the documents with the court, don't be surprised when you have to pay a filing fee. The fee\u2019s cost does depend on the county you live in, but the general price is about $300. The court understands that not everyone can pay this fee. If your financial situation prevents you from paying the filing fee, you can submit the Filing Fee Application for Deferral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court will review your application based on your financial situation and then decide to defer our payment or require you to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you've filed your divorce forms with the clerk of court, they'll get stamped. The stamp includes the date and time of the filing. If you're the one petitioning for divorce, you can sign the petition in front of the clerk, who will notarize it for you for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once all the appropriate documents have been filed and you have the divorce petition, you need to notify your spouse. This is typically referred to as serving your spouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you're the petitioner, it's best to serve your spouse the documents as soon as possible once you leave the courthouse. But if you cannot deliver the documents within the next few days, you have 120 days to present your spouse with the papers before the court dismisses your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you as the petitioner do not serve your partner within this time frame, the court will dismiss your case, and you'll be back to square one. In turn, your spouse has 20 days to respond if they too live in Arizona. If they live in another state, they have 30 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro Tip:<\/strong> You may be thinking you can leave the documents in their mailbox or on the kitchen counter if you still live together, but that's not the case. Under Arizona law, you cannot serve your spouse's divorce documents yourself.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n You have two options when choosing someone to deliver the divorce petition. You can use a sheriff or a process server. A process server is someone who is not involved in the divorce and is over 18 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you hire a process server to deliver the divorce petition, you will most likely have to pay a fee. On the other hand, if you prefer to use a sheriff, you can ask the court to lower the cost or waive it altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your spouse lives out of state or you want to mail the documents for whatever reason, you can only do this if they agree to sign an Acceptance of Service form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How you serve your spouse, the divorce petition is dependent on a few factors. If you know your spouse has hired an attorney, the best way to serve the papers is to have a process server drop them off at their attorney's office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the contrary, if your spouse is not hiring an attorney, you won't want to stop them in the street or at work. The best way to serve your spouse who doesn't have or hasn't hired an attorney yet is at their home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For exceptional circumstances, different rules may apply. There are different rules when your spouse is serving in the military, and you cannot locate them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another case where regulations may be different is if your spouse is serving a prison sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When filing for divorce, the clerk of courts should be able to assist you with any of these particular circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a process server or sheriff has notified your spouse of the petition of divorce, you'll both need to fill out financial affidavits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the laws involving divorce in Arizona is that both parties must disclose all their financial and other assets so that the courts or both spouses can divide the assets accordingly during the divorce. The affidavit requires both parties to list all debts, assets, income, and expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You and your spouse will most likely need to provide pay stubs, credit card statements, tax returns, and other documents so that neither of you can hide any assets. A complete list allows the courts or you and your spouse to decide how to divide everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While hiring a skilled divorce attorney is the best choice for some people in Arizona, it's not necessary in some cases. You can file for divorce without the guidance of an attorney by using online divorce services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Online divorce services will help you complete all the complicated documents that you are required to file for divorce in Arizona. Shelling out the money for an attorney may not be needed if you qualify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, if you and your spouse cannot agree on every issue in the divorce, filing for divorce online isn't the best option for you. Online divorces in Arizona are perfect for uncontested divorces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hypothetically, even if you and your spouse can and have agreed on every issue, there are some circumstances where you may want to consider still hiring an attorney. When you have messy finances or a child is involved, it's in everyone's best interest to seek legal counsel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using an online divorce service can guide you through the process, and the best part? You can save yourself some money and some time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several online divorce sites with varying prices. You can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $400 for online guidance for the most part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Qualifying for an online divorce in Arizona is similar to the qualifications you need to file a divorce in person in the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the petitioner, you need to provide proof of residency in Arizona. That's the first step. Additional qualifications include you and your spouse agreeing on all issues within the marriage and how to divide up the assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When filing for divorce online, you'll need to know where your spouse is currently living. When you're unsure of where they're at due to personal or military reasons, this adds complications to your divorce, and filing online isn't going to be the best option for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Online divorces aren't entirely online like you may believe. Online divorce sites help you with all the required paperwork to get your divorce going. Even if you and your spouse choose to represent yourselves, you will need to file the documents in person and potentially go to court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without attorneys, you'll need to appear in court so that the judge can evaluate the terms of the divorce and officially grant you the divorce based on everything you've outlined in the divorce petition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you're ready to close one chapter and start another, it's normal to be curious how long it will take to finalize the chapter officially. Even if you and your spouse are filing for an uncontested divorce, you cannot complete it in a week. Even the most amicable divorces take a few months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How long it will take to finalize your divorce in Arizona is dependent on multiple factors. Generally speaking, uncontested divorces are finalized quicker than contested divorces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contested divorces take longer because one or both parties need to negotiate or argue everything down to the last detail. This can result in settlements being rewritten over and over again. Contested divorces can take close to two years to finalize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The judge will finalize an uncontested divorce quicker than a contested one because both parties agree about the divorce issues. Most times, you can have uncontested divorces finalized in a few months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regardless of whether you're filing for an uncontested or contested divorce, Arizona state law requires a 60 day cooling-off period from the date that the petitioner files for divorce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The courts require 60 days to ensure that the spouses are sure about their decision or in case they change their minds during this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When trying to figure out how long your divorce is going to take, here are some of the factors that contribute to the timeline of your divorce:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you find yourself in a situation where one or more of these factors is present in your case with your spouse, you can expect your divorce to take more time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you and your partner cannot come to agreements around one or more subjects involved in your divorce, you're going to be spending a lot more time married than you probably want to. You may go back and forth several times trying to find an agreement that makes both parties happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another factor that will increase your divorce timeline is if your spouse doesn't sign the divorce petition when they receive it. Since they have 20 days, the longer they wait, the more days that are added to your timeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in the most amicable divorces, finding a custody and visitation plan that works for both parties and is in the kids' best interest can take time. When kids are involved, the courts want to do what's in the child's best interest, which takes time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Child support payments go along with if you and your spouse have children. If you cannot afford the child support payment requested or vice versa, more negotiations need to happen to find a happy medium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alimony is another factor that may increase your divorce timeline. As the petitioner, you can request that your spouse pay you alimony, and then the courts will decide on the appropriate amount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your spouse doesn't think the amount or paying, in general, is fair, they can fight it, and that will take more time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people don't think about is if you or your spouse are pregnant at the time of filing, which can add to your timeline. If you or your spouse are pregnant during the divorce filing, courts will not complete the divorce until the baby is born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They do this because things can change during a couple of months. People may change their minds about getting a divorce, or they may have rearranged their custody agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on how far along into pregnancy you or your partner is, that can add months to your divorce timeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the contrary, there are a few things that will make your divorce move along faster, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you and your spouse are on the same page with your divorce, the process will go much quicker. When you aren't spending valuable time arguing or negotiating who gets what, you'll be able to move the process along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s nothing to decide regarding custody agreements and child support payments when there are no children involved. Even when both parties agree on custody and child support payments, it's just added steps that can prolong a divorce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The same thing goes with alimony. When neither party is requesting alimony payments, that's one less thing the courts need to consider when evaluating a divorce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FURTHER READING:<\/strong> How To Get a Cheap and Quick Divorce<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to how long your divorce will take, the cost depends on several factors. The main factor determining how much your divorce will cost is whether you're having a contested or uncontested divorce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since most people who file for an uncontested divorce don't need to hire an attorney, these tend to be less expensive than someone who files for a contested divorce and needs to spend thousands on attorney fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you hire an attorney, how much you'll be paying them depends entirely on their pricing. The attorney down the street may charge a completely different price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It's hard to give an exact number for how much your divorce will cost, but the average cost<\/a> of a divorce in Arizona is $20,000. Some people have paid as little as $5,000, whereas more contentious divorces have cost upwards of $100,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Uncontested divorces have an average price of about $7,500 in Arizona (when using an attorney) or as little a few hundred dollars when using an online divorce service such as 3 Step Divorce<\/a>, whereas contested divorces with a lawyer will cost anywhere from $15,000 to $100,000!<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you're filing for divorce, there are fixed costs that you can expect to pay regardless of whether you're filing for uncontested or contested. These include the filing fees, process server fees, and court fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both parties in the divorce are required to pay court fees. The petitioner typically pays the most in fees since they're the ones initiating the divorce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court fees will vary depending on the county you live in, but the average court fee you'll pay when filing for divorce is about $300.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a process server delivers the petition of divorce to your spouse, they will have to pay about $280 to return the signed papers acknowledging the divorce petition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Court fees are unavoidable when filing for a divorce. The exception to this is that if you cannot afford the costs of the filing fees, you can apply to waive the charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you're going through a contentious divorce, hiring an attorney can keep it as peaceful as possible and help both you and your spouse agree that you're both happy with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you and your spouse are relatively amicable, hiring an attorney can ensure everything runs smoothly, and if there is any issue you're not 100% in agreement with, it gets settled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Attorney fees are the costliest part of getting a divorce regardless of what state you live in. In more metropolitan areas of the state, you'll see higher attorney fees than in a small town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The average price per hour for a divorce attorney in the cities of Arizona is $500. You can find more affordable divorce attorneys that charge $250 an hour, but it's still fairly pricey. Several attorneys are on the higher end and will charge $750 an hour or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are just the attorney's hourly prices. Before you hire an attorney, you'll want to know if there are other fees associated with their services, and if so, what the costs are. Here are some examples of other things a divorce attorney may charge extra for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When your divorce proceeds to the litigation step, you and your spouse will have to pay for litigation costs. The more conflict you two have, the more time you'll likely spend in litigation and the more you'll be emptying your pockets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you ask most divorce lawyers for a very straightforward case, it will cost about $15,000 to $20,000 per spouse. These numbers are the general price for spouses with moderate conflict, several assets, and kids involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, litigation doesn't always bring out the best in people. Conflict tends to escalate during litigation which can prolong the divorce process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Putting two and two together, the more litigation you go through, the more you'll both pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When conflict increases during litigation, that's when you can see the cost of the divorce rise to and upwards of $50,000 per person. Many people prefer to avoid taking the divorce to trial, but it does happen. When this does, each party may end up paying more than $100,000 each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mediation is the ideal option for spouses who no longer want to be together. Meditation helps to reduce conflict by staying out of a courtroom and avoiding costly litigation fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you and your spouse can be civil, you can go through mediation. You'll hire a mediator to oversee the process and ensure you both come to an agreement that works for all parties involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you and your spouse are amicable, the best thing about mediation is that it costs almost 90% less than going through litigation. You will both still need to pay the mediator, but it's much more affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you choose a mediator, you can do some research and understand how they charge. Some mediators charge by the hour like a lawyer does, whereas others charge a flat rate per mediation session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just because you and your spouse choose to go through mediation doesn't mean you both can't get legal advice from an attorney. An experienced divorce attorney can still provide the expert advice you can take with you to the mediation meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While you'll still be paying for the cost of the attorney fees, you'll be avoiding litigation fees and paying much less for mediation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned earlier, online divorce services aren't entirely online. But, they're great and affordable tools for those looking to reduce the cost of their divorce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several websites online can provide extensive guidance for gathering and preparing all the documents you'll need to file your divorce. The cost of an online divorce depends on the site you use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You'll want to shop around and ensure you're finding a site that has excellent reviews but is within your budget. You can find online divorce services ranging from $100 to $400. That's much more affordable than hiring an attorney to advise you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few things that will increase the cost of your divorce:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Divorces are expensive. If you're looking for ways to decrease the amount of money you'll spend closing a chapter in your life, here are a few factors that reduce the cost of your divorce:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you're divorcing the other parent of your children, custody of said child or children plays a significant role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ideally, both spouses can come to a custody agreement without having a judge decide for them. If you can both determine who will have sole custody and who has visitation or joint custody and agrees on a schedule, a judge will likely approve the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, deciding on a custody agreement isn't always this simple. Most of the time, the most significant cause for conflict in a divorce is the custody of the children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you're going through a divorce with your spouse, you'll need to consider the custody agreement in your child\u2019s best interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you two cannot do that on your own, a judge will be presented with facts of the case, including finances, jobs, substance abuse issues, and decide the best agreement for the children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a parent has physical custody of the child or children, they primarily live with this parent. One parent has physical custody, which is also called sole custody, or both parents can share custody, also known as joint custody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The parent or parents who have physical custody of the child or children can make everyday decisions. Day-to-day decisions include who they hang out with, what meals they eat, what music they're allowed to listen to, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When both parents have physical custody, each parent may allow different things under their roofs. While joint physical custody is sometimes the best option for the kids because it shows parents are amicable and capable of caring for them, ultimately, one parent will have less time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since there are only seven days in the week, one parent will likely have the child or children for four days when the other only has them for three. Another common arrangement is to alternate weeks or weekends between parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Legal custody grants a parent the ability to make significant life decisions for the child. Major decisions can be everything from educational decisions like where they're going to school, medical decisions, and even religious decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As with physical custody, parents can share legal custody of their children. It is possible that both parents can have physical custody, but only one of them has legal custody. It is also possible that both parents have legal custody, but one has physical custody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although, it's more probable that both parents have physical and legal custody or only one parent has both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even the most amicable parents will disagree. If there ever is a time when parents who share legal custody cannot agree on a major decision, the decision is to be made by the parent with primary physical custody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you and your spouse have agreed to a certain custody agreement, a judge will review it and either approve or make amendments. A judge will determine a custody arrangement based on the following factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A judge evaluates you and your spouse's physical and mental health to ensure you're healthy enough to provide a safe and healthy environment for your children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stability is crucial for kids. If you and your spouse can provide stability and prefer joint custody, you will probably be granted it. Now, if your spouse cannot provide stability due to a lack of a job or other issues, you'll be given priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Children go through phases when they're closer with one parent than another. A judge will consider their relationship with you and your spouse, but more often than not, this isn't the most significant deciding factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you or your spouse have a history of any type of abuse, that will not count in your favor. Whether domestic, emotional, child, or substance abuse, these are not qualities that make for a stable home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Substance abuse cases are slightly different because the courts may still grant joint custody if you have a proven track record of sobriety and can provide a safe environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTypes of Divorce Laws in Arizona<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Contested Divorce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Main issues that spouses typically disagree on are:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Pros and Cons<\/h4>\n\n\n
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Uncontested Divorce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Uncontested Divorce Requirements in Arizona<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Pros and Cons<\/h4>\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nProperty Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Alimony<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Child Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Child Custody<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bifurcation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Disclosure and Discovery Obligations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Spousal Default<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Covenant Marriage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Residency Requirements in Arizona<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Grounds for Divorce in Arizona<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Using an Arizona Divorce Attorney<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Makes a Good Divorce Attorney?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to Find a Good Divorce Attorney<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Interview Questions for a Divorce Attorney<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Common questions to ask when interviewing an attorney:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What Is an Initial Consultation Fee?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is the Meeting Confidential?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pros and Cons of Using a Divorce Attorney<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Filing for Divorce in Arizona<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Preparing Your Divorce Forms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Here's a breakdown of the forms you'll need to gather to begin the filing process:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Filing Your Divorce Forms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Serving Your Spouse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Financial Disclosures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Online Divorce in Arizona<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Qualify for an Online Divorce in Arizona<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Do You Still Need to Go to Court?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce in Arizona?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Factors Increase Your Divorce Timeline<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Factors Decrease Your Divorce Timeline<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Divorce Costs in Arizona<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Court Fees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Attorney Fees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Litigation Costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mediation (Reduces Cost)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Online Divorce Service<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Increases the Cost of a Divorce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Decreases the Cost of a Divorce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Custody Considerations in Arizona<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Physical Custody<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Legal Custody<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Factors that Influence Custody<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Child Support Considerations in Arizona<\/h2>\n\n\n\n