Does Arizona have a cooling off period for divorce?


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By Arizona law, there is a minimum 60 day State-mandated cooling off period. If your divorce proceeds in a non-contested manner by default (when the responding party does not respond), it will typically take somewhere in the 65 to 90 day range.

Is Arizona a no-fault divorce state?

Like most states, Arizona is one of the no-fault divorce states and does allow the marriage to be dissolved without allegations and proof of fault.

Do I need a divorce lawyer in Arizona?

In Arizona, a large percentage of divorces proceed without either party hiring a lawyer. As Arizona is a no-fault divorce state, couples do not need a specific reason to file for divorce โ€“ it is sufficient that the parties do not get along โ€“ otherwise known as irretrievable differences.

What are the grounds for divorce in Arizona?

“Irretrievably broken/ irreconcilable differences” is the only grounds which are recognized for Divorce in Arizona. It is not necessary to find that somebody is “at fault” for the “Dissolution”. All that is required is that one party wishes to get the Divorce.

Does it matter who files for divorce first in Arizona?

If you are thinking about divorce, you may wonder, “Does it matter who files for divorce first in Arizona?” Legally, the answer is no. Whether you file first will not make any difference regarding any of the legal elements of your divorce.

How long do you have to be married in Arizona to get alimony?

How Long Do You Have to be Married for Spousal Maintenance? Arizona does not have a minimum amount of time that people have to be married to get spousal maintenance (alimony). However, the length of the marriage is one of the factors that judges take into account when making spousal maintenance decisions.

What can be used against you in a divorce?

Spending marital money on extramarital affairs. Transferring marital funds to another person before a separation. Spending unreasonable amounts on business expenditures. Selling marital assets below the market value.

How much does divorce cost in AZ?

The average cost of a divorce in Arizona is about $20,000 with prices ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 in Arizona, according to multiple sources. However, your actual divorce costs depend on the type of divorce process you choose. A contested divorce, in court, will cost you an average of $75,000.

Who gets the house in a divorce in Arizona?

Arizona is a community property state In most cases, an Arizona court will divide the house equally, which may require selling the home and splitting the net profits. However, there may be circumstances in which selling the home is undesirable, either for economic reasons or due to one spouse’s needs or preferences.

Does Arizona require separation before divorce?

How long do you have to be separated before divorce in AZ? No, Arizona does not require spouses to separate before filing for divorce (dissolution of marriage). However, there is a waiting period of at least 60 days before the divorce can be finalized after filing and serving your spouse.

How long does a divorce take in AZ?

It depends. Although you can get a divorce decree in as little as 60 days (in limited circumstances as per the waiting period in Arizona Revised Statute 25-329), the average time to finalize even an uncontested divorce in Arizona is between 90 and 120 days. In many cases, divorces can take considerably longer.

Is AZ A 50/50 State?

Each former spouse begins life after divorce with all his or her separate property and half what they once owned together. Arizona is a 50/50 property law state when it comes to divorce. Community property division must be equitable, but seldom will shares be absolutely equal.

Can a judge deny a divorce in Arizona?

The only defense to a dissolution of marriage petition is that the marriage is not irretrievably broken, but, unless your spouse can convince a judge that you both want to remain married, even though you filed for divorce, a judge will grant your request for a divorce.

Can you date while separated in Arizona?

Arizona is a no-fault divorce state, so no law prohibits you from dating during the divorce process. Ultimately, only you can make the decision about whether to date during the divorce process. If you know dating will set off your spouse, it’s probably in your best interest to wait until your divorce is finalized.

What is considered abandonment in a marriage in Arizona?

“Ghosting” is a phenomenon that occurs when someone you know just suddenly vanishes or refuses to respond to your communications without a given reason. When it happens between a married couple, the action of the spouse, who “ghosted” you, is committing spousal abandonment in the State of Arizona.

How do I protect myself financially in a divorce?

  1. Legally establish the separation/divorce.
  2. Get a copy of your credit report and monitor activity.
  3. Separate debt to financially protect your assets.
  4. Move half of joint bank balances to a separate account.
  5. Comb through your assets.
  6. Conduct a cash flow analysis.

Can therapy be used against you in divorce?

Can counseling hurt you during a divorce? The answer is a resounding yes, if the divorce goes through the traditional process of court litigation. The answer is a resounding no, if the alternativeโ€”collaborative divorceโ€”is chosen.

What is alimony based on in AZ?

There is no one formula for computing the amount and length of alimony in AZ. The court decides these on a case-to-case basis, examining factors such as the financial resources of each party, their earning capacity, their standard of living, and of course, how long the marriage lasted.

Is spousal support mandatory in Arizona?

Depending on the length of the marriage, the party’s income levels, and work history, the court may (or may not) decide to include maintenance as part of the divorce settlement. Is spousal support mandatory in Arizona? No. A spouse requesting alimony in Arizona must first establish that they are eligible for alimony.

Is spousal maintenance mandatory in Arizona?

Arizona divorce courts have the power to require your spouse to pay alimony to you during or after the divorce (or both) if you establish eligibility. On the other hand, spouses who are capable of living on their own without financial support may not need alimony โ€” known in Arizona as spousal maintenance.

How much is alimony in AZ?

The formula provided the alimony award should be between 30% to 50% of the length of the marriage. There are many factors affecting whether the duration should be closer to 30% or 50% of the length of the marriage. This formula for calculating spousal maintenance is very simplistic.

How do you avoid getting screwed in a divorce?

  1. Dig into your spouse’s business.
  2. Protect your flanks.
  3. Nail down any money you brought to the marriage.
  4. Go after the pension and retirement accounts.
  5. Don’t expect permanent alimony.
  6. Fight for health benefits, when you don’t have your own group plan.

Can text messages be used against you in a divorce?

Can My Texts Be Used Against Me in a Divorce? The short answer is “Yes.” The court usually allows the person receiving the text to testify that he or she recognizes the phone number the text was sent from. The court might also ask about the sender’s identity and the context of the message.

Should you date while getting a divorce?

Divorce and dating rarely go together. Not only can dating during divorce potentially jeopardize your divorce settlement and child custody arrangement, it can rock the emotions of everyone involved. Before you start downloading dating apps, consider the following reasons NOT to date during divorce.

How can I get a quick divorce in Arizona?

If you and your spouse do not agree on all of the issues in your divorce, the only practical way to get a quick divorce in Arizona is to hire a mediator or arbitrator to get you divorced fast.

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