Experienced Guidance From Filing through Final Decree
Arizona is a no‑fault state: a marriage may be dissolved when a party is domiciled (or, for service members, stationed) in Arizona for at least ninety days before filing and the marriage is irretrievably broken. We prepare and file pleadings, ensure jurisdictional requirements are met, and move cases efficiently toward resolution.
Community Property & Debt Division
Arizona courts assign each spouse’s separate property to that spouse and divide community and other jointly held property “equitably,” which need not mean equally, and without regard to fault. Our team inventories assets and debts, traces separate property, and litigates or negotiates equitable division under A.R.S. § 25‑318.
Arizona Spousal Maintenance Under the New Guidelines
The Legislature directed the Arizona Supreme Court to adopt statewide Spousal Maintenance Guidelines. Courts now determine the amount and duration of maintenance under A.R.S. § 25‑319 and the Guidelines unless written findings justify deviation. We analyze eligibility, guideline ranges, and modification issues with up‑to‑date calculations.
We serve Yuma, Somerton, San Luis, and nearby communities, emphasizing practical solutions while being fully prepared to try your case. Contact our law firm to get started today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Divorce in Arizona
How long does a divorce take in Arizona?
Arizona has a minimum waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. A court cannot enter a final divorce decree until at least 60 days after service of the petition or acceptance of service. An uncontested case may move more quickly than a contested divorce, but disagreements involving property, debt, spousal maintenance, child support, or child custody and parenting time can make the process significantly longer.
Do both spouses have to agree to get divorced in Arizona?
Generally, one spouse cannot prevent a standard Arizona marriage from ultimately being dissolved simply by refusing to agree to the divorce. For a non-covenant marriage, the court must determine that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Covenant marriages are subject to different requirements. Disagreement between spouses can, however, make resolving property, support, custody, and other issues more complicated.
How are property and debts divided in an Arizona divorce?
Arizona is a community-property state, but determining what is community property, what is separate property, and how particular assets and debts should be handled can become complicated. Homes, retirement accounts, businesses, vehicles, credit-card debt, and property acquired before or during the marriage may all require careful review. A Yuma divorce attorney can evaluate the financial circumstances of your marriage and explain how Arizona law may apply.
Can I get spousal maintenance in an Arizona divorce?
Spousal maintenance, sometimes called alimony, is not automatically awarded in every Arizona divorce. Eligibility and the amount and duration of an award depend on statutory requirements and the circumstances of the spouses. Income, financial resources, earning ability, length of the marriage, and other relevant factors may affect the analysis.