Filing for divorce in Arizona requires understanding the state’s specific residency requirements, grounds, waiting periods, and property division rules. This comprehensive Arizona divorce guide walks you through every step of the process — from meeting eligibility requirements to finalizing your decree. Whether you are considering an uncontested divorce, navigating property division, or understanding your rights, this guide covers the key Arizona divorce laws you need to know.
All information verified against Arizona statutes and official court resources as of April 2026.
In This Arizona Divorce Guide:
Arizona Divorce Filing Requirements
Before you can file for divorce in Arizona, you must meet these requirements:
| Residency Requirement | At least one spouse must have been domiciled in Arizona for a minimum of 90 days before filing the petition for dissolution of marriage (A.R.S. § 25-312) |
| Filing Fee | 349 in Maricopa County (Phoenix); ranges from 266 to 364 depending on county and whether minor children are involved. Fee waivers available for qualifying low-income filers. |
| No-Fault Grounds | Yes. Arizona is a no-fault divorce state. The sole ground is that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation (A.R.S. § 25-312). Neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing. |
| Waiting Period | 60 days mandatory. The court cannot enter a decree of dissolution until 60 days after the date of service of process or acceptance of service (A.R.S. § 25-329). This cannot be waived or shortened, even in uncontested cases. |
| Separation Requirement | NONE. Arizona does not require spouses to live apart for any period before filing for divorce. A spouse may file immediately upon meeting the 90-day residency requirement. |
| Property Division | Community property |
| Uncontested Available | YES |
| Online Filing | YES. Arizona offers e-filing through AZTurboCourt (turbocourt.com) and eFileAZ (efile.azcourts.gov). AZTurboCourt guides self-represented litigants through interview-style questions, generates court-approved forms, and allows electronic submission. Family law e-filing is available in multiple counties including Maricopa and Pima. |
Residency: At least one spouse must have been a resident of Arizona for At least one spouse must have been domiciled in Arizona for a minimum of 90 days before filing the petition for dissolution of marriage (A.R.S. § 25-312) before filing. You file in the county where either spouse resides.
Arizona Fault-Based Divorce Grounds
In addition to no-fault divorce, Arizona allows divorce on these fault-based grounds:
- NONE for standard marriages — Arizona is a pure no-fault state. However
- for covenant marriages (A.R.S. § 25-903)
- the following fault-based grounds apply: (1) adultery
- (2) felony conviction with sentence of death or imprisonment
- (3) abandonment of the marital home for at least one year
- (4) physical or sexual abuse of spouse
- child
- or relative living in the home
- or domestic violence or emotional abuse
- (5) spouses living separate and apart continuously for at least two years without reconciliation
- (6) spouses living separate and apart continuously for at least one year after a decree of legal separation
- (7) habitual abuse of drugs or alcohol
- (8) both spouses agree to dissolve the marriage.
Filing on fault grounds may affect property division, alimony, or custody decisions in some Arizona courts. However, most divorces in Arizona proceed on no-fault grounds because they are simpler and faster.
Step-by-Step Arizona Divorce Process
- Meet residency requirements: Confirm you or your spouse has lived in Arizona for the required period.
- Prepare your petition: Complete the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (or equivalent Arizona form). Include grounds, requests for property division, custody, and support.
- File with the court: Submit your petition to the circuit/family court in the appropriate county. Pay the filing fee (approximately 349 in Maricopa County (Phoenix); ranges from 266 to 364 depending on county and whether minor children are involved. Fee waivers available for qualifying low-income filers.).
- Serve your spouse: Your spouse must be formally served with divorce papers via sheriff, process server, or certified mail (rules vary by Arizona county).
- Response period: Your spouse has a set number of days (typically 20-30) to file a response.
- Negotiation/discovery: Spouses exchange financial information and negotiate terms on property, custody, and support.
- Waiting period: 60 days mandatory. The court cannot enter a decree of dissolution until 60 days after the date of service of process or acceptance of service (A.R.S. § 25-329). This cannot be waived or shortened, even in uncontested cases. must pass before the divorce can be finalized.
- Final hearing/decree: The judge reviews and approves the settlement agreement or makes rulings on contested issues. The divorce decree is entered.
Parenting class: Arizona requires divorcing parents with minor children to complete a court-approved parenting education class. These classes cover the impact of divorce on children and co-parenting strategies.
Arizona Property Division
Arizona is a community property state. This means marital property is generally split 50/50 between spouses. Community property includes most assets and debts acquired during the marriage, regardless of whose name is on the title. Separate property (owned before marriage, gifts, inheritances) remains with the original owner.
Arizona is a community property state. Under A.R.S. § 25-318, the court assigns each spouse’s sole and separate property (owned before marriage, gifts, inheritances) to that spouse, then divides community property equitably — though not necessarily equally or in kind — without regard to marital misconduct. The court may consider: excessive or abnormal expenditure, destruction, concealment, or fraudulent disposition of community property; all debts and obligations related to the property including taxes; and criminal conduct where the other spouse or a child was the victim. Property acquired outside Arizona is treated as community property if it would have been community property had it been acquired in Arizona.
Key assets to consider: Real estate, retirement accounts (401k, pensions, IRAs), business interests, vehicles, investment accounts, debts, and personal property. Some assets may require professional appraisal or a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) for retirement account division.
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How Long Does Divorce Take in Arizona?
Uncontested divorce: 90 to 120 days from filing to final decree (includes the mandatory 60-day waiting period plus processing time)
Contested divorce: 6 to 18 months on average. Cases settled before trial typically take 8 to 15 months. Fully contested cases going to trial can take 12 to 24 months or longer, especially with complex assets, business valuations, or intense custody disputes.
These timelines are approximate. Court backlogs, complexity of issues, and whether children are involved can significantly affect the actual duration.
Uncontested Divorce in Arizona
An uncontested divorce in Arizona is available when both spouses agree on all major issues: property division, child custody, child support, and alimony. Both spouses must agree on all terms including property division, debt allocation, spousal maintenance, and (if children are involved) a parenting plan with legal decision-making, parenting time, and child support. Both must sign the consent decree. The 60-day waiting period still applies. Arizona also offers a Summary Consent Decree process (A.R.S. § 25-314.01) where both spouses file jointly, eliminating formal service requirements and starting the 60-day clock from the filing date. No court appearance is required when both spouses sign the consent decree.
Benefits of uncontested divorce include lower attorney fees, faster resolution, less emotional stress, and greater privacy since contested hearings are public.
Arizona Divorce Costs
Divorce costs in Arizona vary widely based on complexity:
| Type | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee | 349 in Maricopa County (Phoenix); ranges from 266 to 364 depending on county and whether minor children are involved. Fee waivers available for qualifying low-income filers. |
| Uncontested (no attorney) | $300 – $1,500 |
| Uncontested (with attorney) | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Contested (with attorney) | $5,000 – $30,000+ |
| Mediation | $2,000 – $8,000 |
Fee waivers may be available for low-income filers. Contact the court clerk in your county for fee waiver applications.
Additional Arizona rules: (1) Arizona calls divorce “dissolution of marriage.” (2) If one spouse denies the marriage is irretrievably broken, the court may order up to 60 additional days for conciliation attempts before making a finding (A.R.S. § 25-312). (3) Arizona has a Conciliation Court system (A.R.S. § 25-381 et seq.) that provides free mediation and conciliation services through each county’s Superior Court. (4) Community property division uses “equitable” rather than “equal” standard — the court has discretion to divide assets fairly rather than strictly 50/50. (5) The Summary Consent Decree process (A.R.S. § 25-314.01) provides an expedited path for fully agreed divorces where both spouses file jointly. (6) Military members stationed in Arizona for 90+ days satisfy the residency requirement even if their legal domicile is elsewhere.
Covenant marriage: Arizona is one of the few states with covenant marriage laws. Covenant marriages have stricter requirements for divorce, including mandatory counseling and limited grounds. If you entered a covenant marriage in Arizona, the standard divorce process may not apply.
Official Sources & Resources
- Arizona Courts: https://www.azcourts.gov
- Legal Aid: https://www.azcourts.gov/selfservicecenter (Arizona Courts Self-Service Center with forms and guides); https://azcourthelp.org (AZCourtHelp with live chat, topic guides, and legal aid referrals); https://www.azlawhelp.org (AZLawHelp legal information); https://www.sazlegalaid.org (Southern Arizona Legal Aid free legal services)
- Cornell LII — Family Law: law.cornell.edu
- NCSL Divorce Laws: ncsl.org
This Arizona divorce guide was last verified against official sources in April 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.