Comprehensive Family Law Services in Scottsdale

Guidance Through Divorce Proceedings in Arizona

The attorneys at Singer Pistiner, PC. have successfully guided many people through the Arizona divorce process. As your advocate, our Scottsdale divorce lawyers will keep you informed of important developments. We return our clients’ phone calls, answer their questions, and address any additional issues that may arise over the course of a given case.

Timeline for Arizona Divorce: What to Expect

Whether your divorce follows the default path or not, the minimum time required for divorce in Arizona is approximately two months. The average divorce takes six to eight months, but could take longer depending on the issues. 

You and your spouse may have a temporary orders hearing to resolve issues such as:

• Paying bills
• Temporary support
• And temporary custody and visitation until your divorce is final

Call (480) 418-7011now or contact Singer Pistiner, PC. onlineto schedule your free consultation with our Scottsdale divorce lawyers.

Eligibility and Grounds for Divorce in AZ

• Residency – Either you or your spouse are required to be residents of the state for a minimum of 90 days prior to filing
• Grounds – Reasoning must be provided, however, because Arizona is considered a “no-fault state” proof of fault is not required at filing. 

Arizona's Waiting Period Before Filing for Divorce

While separation is not required in the state of Arizona prior to filing for divorce, the state does have a mandated waiting period of 60 days. This means that your divorce cannot be finalized until at least 60 days after you initially filed. 

If you would like more information or guidance regarding this process, don't hesitate to reach out to our Scottsdale divorce attorneys for a consultation. 

Understanding Default Divorce in Arizona

If one party files a divorce petition and the other doesn’t respond, the petitioner can file for a default divorce without the other party participating. 

The court will hold a hearing to review issues such as:

• Marital property
• And child custody

However, if one party files a divorce petition and the other files a response disagreeing with any of the requests in the petition, the Arizona court will schedule a trial to resolve the disputes. The issues could be resolved before the trial by mediation or settlement.

Legal Support for All Divorce-Related Issues

• Alimony
• Annulment
• Business Valuation
• Child Custody
• Child Support
• Collections & Enforcements
• Division of Retirement
• Divorce & Bankruptcy
• Divorce & Foreclosure
• Divorce Mediation
• Emergency Orders
• Post Decree Modification
• Property Division
• Uncontested Divorce
• Contested Divorce 

We will work to make the divorce process as stress-free as possible for you. Contact us now to learn about how we can help you navigate the Arizona divorce process.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Arizona Divorce Process

• Divorce petition filed (filing fee required).
• Divorce petition served on the other party (service fee required).
• The other side has 20 days from the date of service to file a response (filing fee required).
• If no response is filed within 20 days, the petitioner may move for a default judgment.
• The other side has 10 days to respond to the motion for a default judgment. If no response is filed, the court will set a date for a default hearing.
• Attend default hearing if necessary and bring proposed decree.
• If the other side files a response, discovery commences. This includes preparation and exchange of disclosure statements, requests for production of documents, interrogatories, and depositions.
• If you or your spouse files a request for temporary orders with your divorce petition, the court will set a return hearing. At your return hearing, the court will set an evidentiary hearing on the temporary orders as well as issue dates for a trial, deadlines and any alternative dispute resolution (ADR) (further fees required).
• If there is no request for temporary orders, the court will set a resolution management conference (RMC). At this conference, the court will issue dates for a trial, deadlines and any ADR (ADR fees required).
• Thirty days after your resolution management conference or return hearing, attend alternative dispute resolution meetings, such as mediation, a parenting conference, or settlement conference.
• Joint pretrial statement due to the court at least five days prior to trial.
• Exhibits to be used for trial due to the court at least five days prior to trial.
• Trial takes place.

Annulment vs. Divorce in Arizona: What's the Difference?

Divorce and annulment are two different means of ending a marriage. 

Divorce is the dissolution of marriage that recognizes that:

• The marriage was legal
• Splits up the shared assets and debts accumulated during the marriage
• And assigns child support, child custody, and visitation of the couple’s children

Since Arizona is a no-fault state, a petition for divorce can be filed without fault from either spouse.

Annulment Criteria in Arizona: Legal Implications

An annulment differs from divorce in that once it is granted, it is as if the marriage never took place. An annulment can only be granted if specific criteria are met that prove the marriage was not legal in the first place. To learn more about this topic, visit our annulments pageor contact our firm today!

Legal Representation Across Scottsdale and Surrounding Areas

Singer Pistiner, PC. offers flat-fee divorce services, helping our clients save on legal fees. If you’d like to know more, schedule a free initial consultation with our Scottsdale divorce lawyers. We represent clients throughout the metropolitan area.

Contact our dedicated Scottsdale divorce attorneys today by dialing (480) 418-7011 or by contacting our firm online for personalized legal assistance.