Arizona Family Laws

Arizona is a no-fault divorce state. The court grants dissolution if it finds the marriage is "irretrievably broken." No showing of fault is required.

Arizona is one of 9 community property states. Property acquired during marriage is community property. Upon divorce, community property is divided equitably (though not necessarily equally), without regard to marital misconduct.

Arizona uses "legal decision-making" (not custody) and "parenting time" (not visitation). The sole standard is best interests of the child. Factors include the parent-child relationship, adjustment to home/school/community, child's wishes if mature enough, and which parent is more likely to allow contact with the other parent.

Child support is determined using the Arizona Child Support Guidelines considering financial resources, the child's standard of living, physical/emotional condition, and educational needs.

Spousal maintenance requires a threshold showing (e.g., insufficient property, unable to be self-sufficient, long marriage with age precluding employment). The court considers 13 factors including standard of living, marriage duration, age, earning ability, and the paying spouse's ability to pay. Maintenance is awarded only for the period necessary to become self-sufficient.