Arizona has a mandatory 60-day waiting period after the divorce petition is served before a divorce can be finalized. However, the overall timeline depends on whether your case is uncontested or contested. Complex cases involving custody or property disputes can take several months or longer.

Property: Yes—Arizona is a community property state. Property and debts acquired during the marriage are generally divided equally, while separate property (owned before marriage or received by gift/inheritance) typically remains with the original owner.

Parenting time: There is no automatic 50/50 rule, but Arizona courts aim for substantial, frequent, and meaningful time with both parents when it’s in the child’s best interests. In many cases, that results in equal or near-equal parenting time, adjusted for each family’s circumstances

No. Arizona is a no-fault divorce state, which means you only need to state that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” Misconduct such as infidelity or dishonesty typically does not affect the divorce itself or property division. However, there are two exceptions to note:

• Waste Claims: If one spouse has recklessly spent, hidden, or given away marital assets, that behavior—known as “waste”—can influence how property is divided.

• Covenant Marriages: In a covenant marriage, Arizona law requires proof of specific grounds (such as adultery, abandonment, or abuse) to obtain a divorce.

In most cases, fault does not determine the outcome, but these exceptions can significantly impact how certain issues are resolved.

Not always. Many divorces are resolved through settlement negotiations or mediation without going to trial. If the spouses cannot agree on key issues, the case will go before a judge, who will make the final decisions.