Arizona DIY Divorce and Family Law Assistance

A divorce, which is also called “dissolution of marriage,” is a legal process that ends a marriage or other legal union. A “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) divorce is a type of divorce in Arizona that people can choose to handle on their own.

Learning About Arizona’s Divorce Laws

It’s important to know Arizona’s divorce rules before you decide to do your own divorce. Arizona is a “no-fault” divorce state, which means that one person can file for divorce without giving a reason or showing that the other person did something wrong.

How to Do It Yourself: Steps and Procedures

In Arizona, a do-it-yourself divorce has several steps:

Filing a Petition: The first thing that needs to be done is to file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the clerk of the Superior Court in the town where one or both of the spouses live.
Service of the Petition: Next, the petition needs to be sent to the other partner, either by mail or with a process server.
Response and Negotiation: The person being sued is given a certain amount of time to answer the petition. A consent order can be sent to the court by both sides if they agree on everything.
Ending the Divorce: The judge will sign the decree ending the divorce once the court finds the deal fair and in the best interest of any children involved.

Help with Family Law in Arizona

Arizona offers several tools for people who need help with family law issues but can’t afford an attorney:

These are places where people can go to get paperwork and information to help them handle their family law cases.
Legal Aid Organizations: Groups like Community Legal Services help people who qualify by giving them free or low-cost legal advice and assistance.
Mediation Services: Mediation is a cheap way to settle disagreements without going to court.

In Summary

Doing your divorce can save you money, but you need to know a lot about Arizona’s divorce rules and procedures. If any part of the process makes you feel unsure, you should talk to a lawyer.