What is the Average Cost of Divorce in Arizona? The average cost of divorce in Arizona is $20,000. Arizona divorce costs ranged from $15,000 to $100,000 per side when including expert witness fees in 2019. The cost of hiring a divorce lawyer in Arizona can cost as much as $550 per hour.
How much does it cost to serve divorce papers in Arizona?
You can expect to pay in the neighborhood of $75 to $125 for the average serve. If your spouse is avoiding the process server, the cost will be more. The process server will try to make contact with your spouse at home, at work, or some other location where they expect your spouse to be present.
How much does a divorce attorney cost in Arizona?
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 long does a divorce take in AZ?
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.
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.
Is Arizona a 50 50 state in a 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.
How long do you have to serve divorce papers in Arizona?
The Summons and a copy of the Petition and other required papers must be served within 120 days of filing the Petition. (The court can allow more time if a request is made before the 120 days runs out.)
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.
How do I file for divorce for free in Arizona?
Visit the Arizona Judicial Branch website to download official court forms – a petition for the dissolution of marriage – and instructions for your DIY divorce. The fillable forms are free, but there will be court filing fees. Couples with minor children use Dissolution of Marriage with Children forms.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 much alimony will I pay 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 does a divorce take from start to finish?
Overall, taking into account the mandatory waiting periods of 20-weeks and 6-weeks, you should expect your divorce to complete within 6-7 months.
Who pays if a divorce goes to court?
Usually the person who applies for the divorce (by submitting the Divorce Petition) will be liable for paying the Court fee. However, in some circumstances they may be able to ask the Court to award a Costs Order, meaning you are ordered by the Court to reimburse all or part of their legal fees.
How quickly can I get a divorce?
A divorce or dissolution will take at least 6 months to complete, even if your circumstances are straightforward. It might take longer if you need to sort out issues with money, property or children.
Can my wife take my retirement in a divorce?
Under the law in most states, retirement plan assets earned during a marriage are considered to be marital property that can and should be divided. It’s therefore advisable for couples to make these assets part of their property settlement agreement negotiations and their divorce decree.
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 my husband take my 401k in a divorce?
1. You Need a Court Order to Divide a 401(k) Pulling money out of a 401(k) to finalize your divorce isn’t something you can do on a whim. First, a judge has to sign off on a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), which confirms each spouse’s right to a portion of the money.
What is Arizona law for divorce?
You can be granted a divorce in Arizona if the judge determines that the marriage is irretrievably broken (impossible to fix). If you and your spouse have entered into a covenant marriage, the judge can only grant you a divorce for certain reasons.
What is considered abandonment in a marriage in Arizona?
When it happens between a married couple, the action of the spouse, who “ghosted” you, is committing spousal abandonment in the State of Arizona. You do not want to stay in the marriage but may feel like you do not know where to turn after discovering you must serve divorce papers.
Is infidelity illegal in Arizona?
Adultery Is A Crime In Arizona Perhaps the most serious consequence of adultery is a criminal conviction. Adultery is a class 3 misdemeanor in Arizona, which means it may lead to jail time and other criminal penalties. However, this law can only be enforced if the non-adulterous spouse has formally filed a complaint.
Can I divorce without going to court?
Divorce without court is exactly what it sounds like. There are ways to divorce without ever setting foot in a courtroom. Typically you’ll choose from one of three options: 1) collaborative divorce, 2) mediation, or 3) uncontested divorce.