Arizona Divorce Document Preparation
You're already going through enough. We'll make the paperwork the easy part.
If you and your spouse are ending your marriage in Arizona, most of the process is paperwork the court expects you to file correctly and on time. As an Arizona Certified Legal Document Preparer, QuickDocsAZ prepares those documents for you at your direction, so you can move through your case with confidence, whether you agree on everything or the other party won't participate.
You choose the path that fits your situation. We prepare the documents. The court decides your case.
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How to choose the right service
Every divorce in Arizona follows one of a few paths, depending on whether both spouses agree and whether the other party takes part. Read the “who this is for” line under each service to find the one that matches your situation.
Summary Consent Decree Process: Divorce Without Children
$550Who this is for: Spouses who agree on all issues, including property and debts, and are both willing to sign. This is our most streamlined path: rather than filing the petition now and coming back later to finish the decree, everything, petition and decree together, is prepared and filed at once, cutting out two separate steps most divorces require.
- Petition and decree prepared, signed, and filed together
- No service required on the other party
- 60-day waiting period begins at filing
Summary Consent Decree Process: Divorce With Children
$650Who this is for: Spouses who agree on all issues, including children, and are both willing to sign. This is our most streamlined path: rather than filing the petition now and coming back later to finish the decree, everything, petition and decree together, is prepared and filed at once, cutting out two separate steps most divorces require. This package also includes the parenting-related documents required whenever children are part of the case.
- Everything in the base package
- Parenting-related documents included
- The most streamlined path when both spouses cooperate
Contested Divorce: Without Children
$550Who this is for: Spouses who haven't reached agreement on the terms of their divorce, or aren't sure yet whether they will. We prepare and file the Petition, Summons, and the other required opening documents, and the other party is formally served. From there your case moves forward through the court's normal process.
- Petition for Dissolution, Summons, Preliminary Injunction, and Sensitive Data Coversheet prepared and filed
- Service of process on the other party
- Opens the case. This is the required first step whether or not you later reach agreement
Contested Divorce: With Children
$650Who this is for: The same as our Contested Without Children package, for spouses with minor children together. Includes the parenting-related documents required whenever children are part of a divorce.
- Everything in the Contested Without Children package
- Parenting Plan, Affidavit Regarding Minor Children, and Parent Information Program order included
- Opens the case. This is the required first step whether or not you later reach agreement
Response to a Divorce Petition
$350Who this is for: A spouse who's been served with divorce papers and needs their response prepared and filed on time.
- Prepared based on the information you provide
- Filed within your response window
How divorce works in Arizona
In Arizona, a divorce is legally called a dissolution of marriage. It is a court case filed in the Superior Court of the county where you or your spouse lives. Most of the work is paperwork: the right forms, completed accurately, filed on time, and served correctly. That is the part QuickDocsAZ prepares for you.
A judge ends the marriage by signing a decree of dissolution. The decree also records how property and debts are divided and, when there are minor children, the parenting plan, legal decision-making, parenting time, and child support. This page explains the general process so you can see which of our services matches your situation. It is general information, not legal advice.
The process, step by step
- 1
Confirm Arizona can hear your case
At least one spouse must have lived in Arizona for 90 days before the petition is filed (A.R.S. § 25-312). When there are minor children, the court also looks at where the children have lived over the past six months to decide whether Arizona can make parenting orders.
- 2
Prepare and file the petition
The case begins when a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is filed with the Clerk of the Superior Court, along with the court's filing fee. Arizona courts expect a Summons, a Preliminary Injunction, and a Sensitive Data Coversheet to go with it, and when children are involved, an Affidavit Regarding Minor Children and a Parenting Plan as well.
- 3
Serve your spouse
Your spouse must formally receive the filed papers. That is usually done by a process server or the sheriff, or by your spouse signing an Acceptance of Service. If your spouse cannot be located, the court may allow another method of service by motion.
- 4
Wait out the 60-day period
Arizona requires a 60-day waiting period before a decree can be entered (A.R.S. § 25-329). It generally runs from the date your spouse is served or signs an Acceptance of Service. When both spouses sign the petition and decree together, the clock generally starts at filing. Your spouse typically has 20 days to respond if served in Arizona, or 30 days if served outside the state; the summons states the exact deadline.
- 5
Resolve property, debts, and children's issues
Spouses can reach agreement on these issues and put it in a consent decree, or the court decides what they cannot agree on. If your spouse never responds, you can ask the court to enter default and then submit a proposed decree once you are eligible.
- 6
Finalize and follow up
The case ends when the judge signs the decree. After that, there are often follow-up documents, such as a deed to transfer real property as the decree directs, or paperwork to restore a former name.
The documents involved
Which documents you need depends on the service you choose. Here is what each one is for.
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Starts the case. It states the basic facts (names, marriage date, children) and what you are asking the court to order.
- Summons
- Notifies your spouse that a case has been filed and how long they have to respond.
- Preliminary Injunction
- A standard court notice that restricts both spouses from certain actions, such as hiding or disposing of property, while the case is pending.
- Sensitive Data Coversheet
- Keeps Social Security numbers and similar identifiers off the public record by placing them on a separate confidential form.
- Affidavit Regarding Minor Children
- Required when children are involved. It lists where the children have lived so the court can confirm it has authority over parenting issues.
- Parenting Plan
- Sets out legal decision-making and the parenting-time schedule for the children.
- Required notices and Parent Information Program order
- Arizona requires certain notices (such as the notice regarding creditors and health insurance rights) and, in cases with minor children, attendance at a court-approved Parent Information Program class.
- Consent Decree (agreed cases)
- The final order that ends the marriage when both spouses agree on every term. Our Summary Consent Decree Process prepares the petition and decree together.
Key Arizona rules at a glance
- No-fault
- For most marriages you do not need to prove wrongdoing. The court must find the marriage is irretrievably broken. Covenant marriages have additional grounds.
- Residency
- One spouse must have lived in Arizona for at least 90 days before filing.
- Waiting period
- A 60-day waiting period applies before a decree can be entered.
- Community property
- Arizona is a community property state. Property and debts acquired during the marriage are divided equitably, while property owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance is generally treated as separate (A.R.S. § 25-318).
- Children
- Arizona uses the terms legal decision-making and parenting time rather than custody and visitation. Child support is set under the Arizona Child Support Guidelines.
- Property acquired after service
- Property a spouse acquires after service of a petition that results in a decree is that spouse's separate property (A.R.S. § 25-211).
- Spousal maintenance
- Sometimes called alimony. It is available only when the court finds the requirements of A.R.S. § 25-319 are met; there is no automatic entitlement.
- Parent Information Program
- Parents in cases involving minor children must complete a court-approved class before the decree.
Is document preparation the right fit?
Often a good fit when
- You want to represent yourself and need your court forms prepared accurately.
- You and your spouse agree on the terms and both are willing to sign.
- Your spouse has been served and you need a response prepared on time.
- Your spouse has not responded and you need the default paperwork.
People often talk with an attorney when
- Domestic violence, safety concerns, or a protective order are involved.
- There are substantial assets, a business, or complex retirement accounts.
- Parenting time or relocation is heavily disputed.
- Your spouse has an attorney and important issues are in dispute.
A legal document preparer is not a lawyer and cannot give legal advice. Communications with a legal document preparer are not privileged. This page is general information about how this Arizona process works, not advice about your situation.
Add-On Document Services
These documents are often part of a divorce and can be prepared individually or alongside any service above.
- Parenting Plan
- $150
- Child Support Worksheet
- Arizona Guidelines calculation
- $100
- Spousal Maintenance Worksheet
- $100
- Quit Claim / Beneficiary Deed
- To transfer real property per your decree
- $200
- Motion & Order for Alternative Service
- When the other party can't be personally served
- $150
- Name Restoration
- $75
What’s included and what’s not
Preparation of all required court documents for your chosen service, based on the information and documents you provide.
- Court filing feeDepends on your county and whether the case involves minor children. See the full breakdown by county on our Rates page. You may also qualify for a fee deferral or waiver.$261 to $486
- Parent Information ProgramRequired by the court in any case involving minor children.~$50 / parent
- Service of processOnly if the other party won't sign an Acceptance of Service.$150+
- PublicationIf the other party must be served by publication.Varies
We’ll give you a clear, itemized breakdown up front so there are no surprises.
Not sure if you need a divorce or a legal separation?
Same court process, different outcome. Compare the two side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Arizona?+
No. Arizona allows people to represent themselves in a divorce. A certified legal document preparer can prepare your court forms from the information you provide, but cannot give legal advice or represent you in court.
How long does a divorce take in Arizona?+
The 60-day waiting period must pass before a judge can enter a decree, so that is the earliest possible point. Beyond that, timing depends on whether you and your spouse agree, how quickly the paperwork is filed and served, and the court's calendar. Agreed cases generally move faster than contested ones.
Is there a waiting period for divorce in Arizona?+
Yes. Arizona has a 60-day waiting period (A.R.S. § 25-329) that generally runs from the date your spouse is served or signs an Acceptance of Service. When both spouses sign the petition and decree together, it generally starts at filing.
What does an Arizona divorce cost?+
Our document preparation fees are flat and listed on the Rates page. The court's filing fee is separate and varies by county, and other costs can include service of process and, when children are involved, the Parent Information Program class. Each service page spells out what is and is not included.
What is the difference between a contested and an uncontested divorce?+
In an uncontested (agreed) divorce, both spouses agree on every term, including property, debts, and anything involving children, and can sign a consent decree. In a contested divorce, the spouses disagree on at least one issue or one spouse does not take part, and the court decides what remains unresolved.
Does Arizona divide property 50/50?+
Arizona is a community property state, and the court divides community property and debts equitably (A.R.S. § 25-318). In practice that is often an equal split, but it can differ depending on the circumstances. Property owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance is generally treated as separate.
Where do I file for divorce in Arizona?+
In the Superior Court of the county where you or your spouse lives. We prepare documents for filing in Arizona's Superior Courts, including Maricopa and Pima County.
What if my spouse can't be found?+
If your spouse cannot be located for service, Arizona allows the court to approve another method of service on a motion. We offer a Motion and Order for Alternative Service as an add-on.
Is document preparation legal in Arizona?+
Yes. Arizona allows individuals to represent themselves and to use a certified legal document preparer to complete their court forms.
Which service do I need?+
Read the “who this is for” line under each service below. It depends on whether you and your spouse agree, and whether the other party takes part. If you're not sure, we can walk you through how each one generally works so you can decide.
What if the other party doesn't respond?+
Arizona allows the case to move forward by default. Once your response window has passed, contact us and we'll prepare the follow-up documents, the application for entry of default and, once you're eligible, the decree, to keep your case moving.
What's the difference between divorce and legal separation?+
Both follow the same court process and address the same issues. A divorce ends the marriage; a legal separation leaves you legally married while dividing your affairs by court order. See our Legal Separation page for a full comparison.
Are you attorneys?+
No. QuickDocsAZ is a certified legal document preparation service, not a law firm. We prepare your forms accurately, but we do not provide legal advice.