Under Arizona’s community property laws, all assets and debts a couple acquires during marriage belong equally to both spouses. Unlike some community property states, Arizona does not require the division of marital property in divorce to be exactly equal, but it must be fair and will usually be approximately equal.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in AZ?
Most Arizona divorce lawyers charge between $275.00 to $450.00 per hour. You can find divorce attorneys in Arizona that charge less than the range provided. The rate a lawyer may charge for their services is based on several factors. You will pay a higher hourly rate for an experienced divorce attorney.
How much does the average divorce cost in Arizona?
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 pays divorce attorney fees in Arizona?
The Arizona divorce laws permit the Court to order one spouse to pay some or all of the other spouse’s attorney fees and costs. Although there are many different statutes that provide the court with this authority, the most cited statute is A.R.S. 24-324.
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.
Is Arizona a 50 50 state when it comes to divorce?
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.
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 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.
How long do you have to be separated before divorce in AZ?
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.
Do both parties pay for a divorce?
There appears to be a myth that the person being divorced (known as the Respondent) always pays the fees for a divorce, when in reality this is not the case in the majority of divorce cases. The person filing for the divorce (known as the Applicant) will always pay the divorce filing fee.
How much is alimony in Arizona?
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.
How long do you have to be married to get alimony in Arizona?
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.
Can you sue your spouse for cheating in Arizona?
While the act of adultery is no longer prosecuted as a crime in Arizona, it can still have legal implications. For example, if you are caught committing adultery, you may be subject to civil damages (meaning you may have to pay money to the person you committed adultery with).
Can my wife take half my pension if we divorce?
In terms of how much either spouse is entitled to, the general rule is to divide pension benefits earned during the course of the marriage right down the middle. Though that means your spouse would be able to claim half your pension, they are limited to what was earned during the course of the marriage.
Is Arizona an alimony state?
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 — known in Arizona as spousal maintenance.
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.
Who qualifies for alimony in Arizona?
A spouse may be eligible for spousal maintenance if they (1) were married for a long time and (2) are too old to be expected to work. Under this factor, both the length of the marriage and the age of the spouse seeking spousal maintenance must apply to be eligible for an award of spousal maintenance.
Can a spouse kick you out of the house in Arizona?
If it is separate property, you may be able to evict your spouse (discussed more below). So long as the home is considered community property, you cannot legally force your spouse out, even if you have started the divorce process. A spouse may only be forced to leave if or when the court gives an order to do this.
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 do I protect myself financially in a divorce?
- Legally establish the separation/divorce.
- Get a copy of your credit report and monitor activity.
- Separate debt to financially protect your assets.
- Move half of joint bank balances to a separate account.
- Comb through your assets.
- Conduct a cash flow analysis.
Can I get divorced without going to court?
It is possible to get divorced without going to court, as long as your partner agrees to the divorce and the reasons why. However, it is still possible that you will need to go to court to decide what happens to money, property and children.
How do I start a divorce in Arizona?
- Step 1: Make Sure You Are Ready to Divorce.
- Step 2: Find a Divorce Attorney.
- Step 3: File for Divorce.
- Step 4: The Temporary Order Hearing in Arizona.
- Step 5: Discovery and Disclosure.
- Step 6: Out of Court Resolutions.
- Step 7: Trial Preparation.
- Step 8: The Final Hearing.
What is the cheapest way to get a divorce in Arizona?
An uncontested divorce (sometimes known as divorce “by consent decree” in Arizona) is almost always far cheaper and quicker than a traditional, contested divorce. That’s because you won’t have to go to trial to have a judge resolve your disputes.
Can you get divorced without the other person signing?
Applying for a divorce can be a difficult decision to make, especially if you’re not sure your partner will sign your petition. Crucially though, you don’t need your partner’s consent to get a divorce. Although it may be a long process if your partner doesn’t comply, they won’t be able to stop you indefinitely.
Can you date while going through a divorce 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.