How much does it cost to file a lawsuit in the Arizona Family Court?
The current filing fee for a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in Maricopa County is $236.00. A Response to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage may be filed for $191.00. Check with the Clerk of your local Superior Court for the latest information on court costs and filing fees. A complete list of the filing fees charged in Maricopa County, Arizona may be found
here .
How long will it take to finish my case?
Spouses wanting to divorce in Arizona must wait a minimum of 64 days from the date the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is served upon the Respondent before the Court will grant the divorce. If your case is contested (i.e., a Response is filed by the opposing party), your case may take considerably longer.
Do I have to prove that I am entitled to a divorce?
Arizona is a "no fault" state, and neither spouse is required to prove that the other engaged in any marital misconduct to get a divorce. The only relevant consideration is whether the spouse seeking the divorce believes that there are "irreconciliable differences" between husband and wife.
How do I notify my spouse or my child's parent that I have filed a lawsuit?
In order for a court of law to enter Orders requiring someone to do something (like pay child support), that court must have jurisdiction over the person. In order for the Arizona courts to obtain jurisdiction over a person, that person must be "served" with a summons and a complaint (or a summons and a petition, in the case of a divorce). A person may be served by a "process server" - a person licensed by the state to serve court documents - who brings the court papers to the opposing party and delivers them to the person directly. There are other means for serving people who cannot be found or who live out of state. If your process server cannot locate and serve the opposing party within the state of Arizona, you should speak to an attorney about other possible means of serving the summons and complaint.
Where is the Maricopa County Superior Court located?
The Superior Court of Maricopa County has three locations.
| Downtown Phoenix: |
201 W. Jefferson Ave. Phoenix, Arizona 85003
(southwest corner 1st Ave. & Jefferson) |
| Southeast Valley: |
222 East Javelina Avenue, Mesa, Arizona 85210
(1/2 mile south of Hwy 60 (Superstition Freeway just west of Mesa Dr.) |
| Northwest Valley |
14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane, Surprise, Arizona
(1/2 mile south of Bell Rd. and 7 miles west of 101 freeway) |
Locations for other Arizona courts may be found at the
Arizona Courts Locator.
Are there any other sources I can consult to get more information about Arizona family law?
Searching the web for keywords such as divorce, child support, custody and the like will open up countless avenues to other sources of information regarding family law. Some of the better overviews available on the Internet include the series of
Arizona Family Law Booklets published by the Arizona Supreme Court, the
Overview of the Divorce Process published by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and the
Free Legal Advice found at FreeAdvice.com. Please note that the information provided at the linked websites may not be accurate or applicable to your particular case. You should consult an attorney licensed in the state where your lawsuit is filed for reliable information and advice before taking legal action.