Arizona Divorce Timeline: Complete Guide

If you're filing for divorce in Arizona, understanding the timeline is crucial for planning your next chapter. Arizona has a mandatory 60-day waiting period after service or acceptance of process before your divorce can be finalized—a "cooling-off" period designed to give couples time to reconsider. Whether you're pursuing an uncontested divorce, navigating a default scenario, or preparing for contested litigation, here's a comprehensive breakdown of the Arizona divorce timeline from filing to final decree. Before you begin, review our detailed Arizona divorce filing checklist to ensure you're prepared with all required documents.

Uncontested Divorce: Arizona's Fastest Path (90–120 Days)

When both spouses agree on all major issues—including property division, spousal maintenance, and (if applicable) custody and child support—Arizona's uncontested divorce process moves relatively swiftly. Under A.R.S. § 25-329, no court may "consider a submission, hold a trial, or hearing" on a dissolution until 60 days after the date of service or acceptance of process. This mandatory cooling-off period cannot be waived under any circumstances.

According to the State Bar of Arizona, 90% of all divorces in the state are uncontested, with most finalized within 90 to 120 days from filing. Here's a typical roadmap:

• Days 1–7: Prepare your initial packet—Petition (DRDC15F with children, DRDA10F without), Summons (DR11F), Preliminary Injunction (DR14F), Sensitive Data Cover Sheet (DRSDS10F-C or DRSDS10F-A), and if you have children, the Parent Education Program Order (DR12F) and Affidavit Regarding Minor Children (DRCVG13F).
• Day 8: E-file or file in person at the Superior Court in the county where you reside (venue under A.R.S. § 12-401(13)) and pay the filing fee—$261 for the petition as of December 28, 2024 (base $176 + surcharges per the statewide fee schedule). County boards may add local surcharges.
• Days 8–30: Serve your spouse within 120 days (ARFLP 40) or have them sign an Acceptance of Service. The Preliminary Injunction (A.R.S. § 25-315) binds the petitioner upon filing and the respondent upon service, restraining both parties from dissipating community assets, removing children from Arizona, or canceling existing insurance.
• Days 20–40: Respondent files a Response (due 20 days after in-state service or 30 days after out-of-state service per ARFLP 24.1) paying the $172 response fee. If you have children, both parents must register for the Parent Education Program (A.R.S. § 25-352).
• Days 40–60: Exchange initial disclosures (ARFLP 49)—due 40 days after the first response—including financial declarations, income proofs, and property/debt lists. Finalize your settlement agreement, Parenting Plan (DRCVG11F if applicable), and Child Support Order (DRS81F if applicable).
• Day 60+: Submit your Consent Decree (DR71F or DRDC81F/DRDA81F) with all attachments. If the court approves, your decree can be entered any time after day 60—most courts enter consent decrees within 75–120 days from filing.

Summary Consent Decree Option: If you and your spouse reach complete agreement before filing, you can use the streamlined Summary Consent Decree process (ARFLP 45.1). You file a single Summary Consent Petition and Response (DRDSC11F) with all settlement documents and can obtain a decree without a hearing no earlier than 60 days after filing. Many Summary Consent cases finalize in 70–100 days.

Default Divorce: When One Party Doesn't Respond (90–120 Days)

If your spouse is served but fails to file a response within the deadline (20 or 30 days depending on service location), you can proceed by default. After the response deadline passes, you file an Application and Affidavit for Entry of Default (DRD60P/DRD61F) and serve it on your spouse. You must then wait 10 court days (Rule 44) before the court can enter a default decree.

Default decrees typically require a hearing to ensure the terms are fair (though in limited circumstances—no children, certain maintenance situations—a decree may be entered on motion). You still cannot obtain a final decree until the 60-day mandatory waiting period has elapsed from service/acceptance. Most default cases finalize in 90–120 days, similar to uncontested consent cases.

Note: If you served your spouse by publication (court-approved last resort when you cannot locate them), special limits apply—you generally cannot obtain a default decree by motion and must proceed to a hearing.

Contested Divorce: Disputes Over Property, Custody, or Support (6–9+ Months)

When spouses cannot agree on major issues—such as property classification and division, legal decision-making (custody), parenting time, child support, or spousal maintenance—the Arizona divorce timeline extends significantly. Contested cases require discovery, temporary orders, ADR, and often trial. If you're considering your options, learn more about whether mediation or litigation is right for your situation. Here's a realistic roadmap:

• Months 1–2: File and serve the petition; schedule a temporary orders hearing (ARFLP 47) for immediate relief (temporary child support, legal decision-making/parenting time, spousal maintenance, exclusive use of residence, financial restraints). Emergency temporary orders (ARFLP 48) are available without notice if irreparable injury will occur; the court must hold an evidentiary hearing within 10 days.
• Months 2–4: Initial disclosures due 40 days after the first response (ARFLP 49), including Resolution Statement, Affidavit of Financial Information (AFI), income proofs, property/debt documents, and witness lists. Experts must be disclosed ≥60 days before trial unless the court orders otherwise. Either party can request a Resolution Management Conference (RMC) (ARFLP 76), which must be set no later than 60 days after request. At the RMC, the court may adopt agreements on the record, set discovery schedules, order evaluations or ADR, and schedule hearings/trial.
• Months 4–8+: Discovery under ARFLP 51 (depositions, interrogatories, requests for production/admission), custody evaluations if ordered, business valuations for complex property cases, and settlement conferences. Courts may order ADR under Rule 69 (binding agreements if signed, stated on record, or audio-recorded before court-appointed mediator).
• Months 6–9+: If settlement fails, proceed to trial. The court manages pretrial procedures (statements, exhibit/witness lists, time limits) and holds an evidentiary trial on remaining disputes. After trial, the court issues written findings—particularly in custody disputes under the best-interests framework (A.R.S. § 25-403)—and enters a Decree of Dissolution.

Total timeline: 6 to 9 months for moderately contested cases. High-conflict disputes involving custody evaluations, business valuations, or complex property tracing can extend well into 12–18 months or longer, depending on court congestion and the number of contested issues.

Key Arizona Deadlines and Requirements

Arizona's dissolution statutes and Rules of Family Law Procedure (ARFLP) impose several critical deadlines:

• 60-day mandatory waiting period: Under A.R.S. § 25-329, no decree can be entered until 60 days after service or acceptance of process. This period is absolute and cannot be waived.
• 120-day service deadline: Serve the Summons, Petition, and Preliminary Injunction within 120 days after filing or the case may be dismissed (ARFLP 40).
• Response deadlines: 20 days (in-state service) or 30 days (out-of-state service or acceptance signed out-of-state) per ARFLP 24.1.
• Initial disclosures: Due 40 days after the first response is filed (ARFLP 49).
• Expert disclosures: Must be disclosed ≥60 days before trial unless the court orders otherwise (ARFLP 49).
• Default grace period: After filing an Application for Default, wait 10 court days before the court can enter a default decree (ARFLP 44).
• Parent Education Program: Required in all cases with minor children unless excused; both parents must complete an approved program. Noncompliance can delay finalization or trigger sanctions (A.R.S. § 25-352).

Calculate Your Estimated Divorce Costs in Arizona

Filing fees, process server costs, Parent Education Program fees, and attorney fees can add up quickly. Use our free calculator to estimate your total divorce expenses based on your specific situation in Arizona.

Practical Tips to Avoid Delays

Minimize delays and complications by following these best practices:

• Use statewide forms: Always download the latest versions from the Arizona Courts Self-Service Center. Some counties prefer county-branded packets (e.g., Maricopa Law Library Resource Center), so check your county's website.
• Serve within 120 days: Arrange for service of process promptly to avoid dismissal. Personal service, acceptance of service, or alternative service with court approval are all valid methods under ARFLP 40–41.
• Comply with the Preliminary Injunction: Do NOT transfer or hide assets, remove children from Arizona, cancel insurance, or harass your spouse after filing. Violations under A.R.S. § 25-315 can trigger contempt or criminal "interference with judicial proceedings."
• Exchange disclosures fully and on time: Courts can exclude evidence or witnesses and impose sanctions for nondisclosure under ARFLP 49.
• Complete Parent Education early: If you have children, register for the required program immediately to avoid delays in finalization.
• Consider the Summary Consent Decree: If you reach full agreement before filing, the Summary Consent process can save time and reduce costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the residency requirement in Arizona? At least one spouse must have been domiciled in Arizona (or stationed here on active duty) for 90 days before filing under A.R.S. § 25-312.

Can I waive the 60-day waiting period? No. The 60-day cooling-off period under A.R.S. § 25-329 is mandatory and cannot be waived under any circumstances.

What if my spouse won't sign papers? You can proceed by default if they don't file a response within 20 or 30 days (depending on service location). File an Application and Affidavit for Entry of Default, wait 10 court days, and then seek a default decree (usually by hearing).

Do we have to take a parenting class? Yes, if you have minor children. A.R.S. § 25-352 requires both parents to complete a court-approved Parent Education Program unless excused for good cause. Fees vary by county/provider (often $40–$100 per parent).

What are Arizona's filing fees? As of December 28, 2024, the petition costs $261 and the response costs $172 under the statewide fee schedule. County boards may add local surcharges, so always check your county's current fee schedule.