Arizona's Residency Requirements

Either the petitioner or respondent must have been an Arizona resident of 90 days or more before filing for divorce.

Arizona's Grounds for Divorce

Arizona residents may file for divorce under fault or no-fault grounds.

Arizona's no-fault grounds is:

• irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

Arizona's fault grounds include:

• abandonment for one year or more
• adultery
• conviction of a felony, requiring imprisonment or execution
• both spouses agree to dissolve the marriage
• substance abuse or alcoholism

Arizona's Child Custody Guidelines

Divorcing parents are allowed to collaborate on a child custody arrangement. If the parents cannot reach a decision, an Arizona court will make a ruling.

Arizona courts consider factors such as:

• each parent's mental, and physical health
• whether the custodial parent would allow the noncustodial parent and the child to maintain a meaningful relationship
• the wishes of the child, if of sufficient age and mental capacity
• any evidence or history of abuse

Arizona's Child Support Guidelines

If the parents cannot agree on the amount of child support and the paying parent, child support will be decided by state-specific calculations and guidelines.

Arizona courts consider factors such as:

• each parent's financial situation
• the standard of living experienced by the child during the marriage
• the child's needs, physically and emotionally

Arizona Spousal Support Guidelines

Spousal support can be paid in one lump sum, in installments, or periodically. The spouses may determine the spousal support amount and payment schedule, or the courts may award spousal support.

Arizona courts will consider factors such as:

• whether one spouse supported or contributed to the other spouse's career
• duration of the marriage
• the standard of living experienced during the marriage
• each spouse's future earning capacity

Arizona Property Division Guidelines

Arizona has adopted community property division guidelines, meaning all property acquired during the marriage will be divided into two equal parts. Spouses may collaborate on the property distribution, but if they are unable to agree the courts will make a ruling.

Arizona courts will consider factors such as:

• whether one spouse made excessive or abnormal expenditures regarding the community property
• whether one spouse attempted to destroy, conceal, or fraudulently dispose of the community property

Arizona's Venue Guidelines

The petitioner may file the divorce forms in their Arizona county of residence, or in the respondent's Arizona county of residence.