FAQ about Arizona Divorce

Can I File for an Arizona Divorce?

You can file for an Arizona divorce as long as:

• You (or your partner) has lived in the state of Arizona for at least 90 days
• You believe that your marriage is irretrievably broken (i.e., there is no hope of reconciliation).

How Will Marital Property Be Divided in My Divorce?

It depends on whether you and your partner can agree on how your marital property should be divided. If you can come to an agreement regarding the division of your marital property, then you can submit a Consent Decree of Dissolution of Marriage to the court. Family court judges will generally uphold/approve agreements that divorcing partners reach on their own.

If, however, you and your partner cannot agree on how your marital property is to be divided:

• Your divorce will have to proceed to trial (if not mediation before trial).
• It will likely be left up to a family court judge to make the final decisions regarding how your marital property is to be divided between you and your soon-to-be-ex-partner.

How Will Custody Be Decided in My Divorce?

Again, this will depend on whether you and your partner can agree to or are in a dispute about custody (and related issues like, for instance, child support). In the event that you and your partner cannot agree on any custody issues, the court will again step in to rule on these matters, and the primary factor that will guide a judge’s decisions regarding custody will be what is in the child’s best interests.

How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Arizona Divorce?

There is no quick and immediate answer to this question without first reviewing the facts of your divorce case. That being stated, however, here’s what we can tell you about the duration of divorce cases:

• When divorcing partners can communicate with each other and/or are willing to compromise, Arizona divorce cases can be resolved sooner.
• When divorcing partners do not share children and/or have minimal marital assets, there can be faster resolutions to divorce cases.
• Working with an experienced divorce lawyer – regardless of the specific issues you may facing in your impending divorce – can help you efficiently resolve your case while achieving better resolutions than if you didn’t work with a lawyer.

How Much Will My Arizona Divorce Cost Me?

The cost of your Arizona divorce will depend on a lot of different factors, only some of which can include:

• The county in which you file for and proceed with your divorce case – Different courts have different filing fees, and these can change from year to year. For instance, as of January 2015, the cost of submitting a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in Maricopa County was $338.
• How long your divorce takes to resolve – If your divorce case drags on for months or longer, the costs of resolving your case will likely increase. In contrast, divorce cases that can be resolved relatively quickly tend to cost less.
• Whether you retain an attorney to represent you in your divorce – Although hiring an attorney to represent you can come with some initial costs, in the long run, it can save you a significant amount of time, money and stress, as an experienced lawyer can help you resolve your divorce as efficiently and favorably as possible.

Do I Need an Attorney for My Arizona Divorce?

If you are serious about protecting your interests and favorably resolving your divorce case, then yes – it’s strongly advised you retain an attorney to help you navigate the complexities of the legal process, advocate your rights and work out the best possible resolution to your divorce case.

Scottsdale Divorce Attorney at the Law Office of Karen A. Schoenau

Do you need help with any aspect of your divorce? If so, you can trust Scottsdale Divorce Attorney Karen Schoenau for honest answers, effective representation, and the best possible outcomes to your case.

To learn more about how Karen Schoenau can help you, schedule an initial consultation with her today. You can set up this meeting by calling (480) 209-1918 or by emailing us using the contact form.

From her offices based in Scottsdale, Attorney Karen Schoenau represents clients throughout the metropolitan Phoenix area and the state of Arizona, including Scottsdale, Mesa, Surprise, Maricopa County, Pinal County, and Gila County.