Arizona Divorce Lawyers

Divorce in Arizona

Divorce is one of the most emotionally and financially challenging events a person can face. Whether you are contemplating divorce or have already begun the process, it’s essential to understand your rights and responsibilities under Arizona law. Our firm is here to guide you through each step, ensuring that your interests and your family’s are protected.

What Is a Divorce?

A divorce, legally known as a dissolution of marriage, is the formal process of ending a marital relationship. In Arizona, the court resolves key legal and financial matters during divorce proceedings, including:

Division of community and separate property
Allocation of debts
Parenting time and legal decision-making (Visitation)
Child support
Spousal maintenance (alimony)

To file for divorce in Arizona, at least one spouse must have lived in the state (or been stationed here while in military service) for a minimum of 90 days before filing.

Arizona Is a No-Fault Divorce State

With the exception of covenant marriages, Arizona is a no-fault divorce state. That means a spouse can file for divorce without having to prove wrongdoing. The only legal requirement is that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.”

Legal Separation vs. Divorce

Legal separation is a legal process similar to divorce, but the couple remains married. This may be an option for those who wish to remain legally married for religious, financial, or medical reasons but still need to resolve issues such as custody, property, and support.

A court may grant a legal separation when:

Arizona residency requirements are met (90 days of domicile or military presence)
The marriage is irretrievably broken, or both parties wish to live apart
Conciliation provisions do not apply or have been satisfied
Both parties agree to a legal separation (if one objects, the case will proceed as a divorce)

Hear From Our Clients

Mr. David White and his team helped me navigate an extremely frustrating, complex, and protracted family law situation. Mr. White is truly the "real deal" - an expert at family law who, along with his team, will advocate fiercely for their client's best interest. The team in his office are a pleasure to work with, and each of them was a big help in resolving my case with a fair and reasonable outcome for both parties.

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I am incredibly grateful for the assistance I received from my attorney regarding the enforcement of my child support modification and legal decision-making. He is not only knowledgeable and skilled but also has a strong commitment to his clients. I got everything I requested, and I felt supported throughout the entire process.

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Retaining David was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Before retaining David, I had restricted parenting time for my 5 children and mom had final legal decision making authority. Even with restricted parenting time, mom was still refusing to allow any parenting time because she had a bogus order of protection against me. My previous attorney had pretty much thrown in the towel and advised me to settle with a horrible order. This was unsettling and I sought out new counsel.

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I want to express my sincere gratitude for Mr. White and his staff for the outstanding support and dedication in handling my unusual case. Mr. White’s level of expertise have played a pivotal role in both my AZ & CA case. Mr. White is very passionate about his work. He knew exactly what to do and has always paid close attention to details. He is always there for me when I needed him and never once did I feel alone.

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I could not have been more pleased and impressed to have been represented by Mr. White. Although I already had an attorney on retainer, this particular situation required the services of an attorney not afraid to be bold and aggressive. Several minutes into our initial consultation, I knew that Mr. White was up to the task. When you hire Mr. White, you're getting the man himself, not some junior partner as most law firms do.

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There are not enough words to say how much of an amazing and outstanding job Mr. White did. He represented my husband in an ugly court battle for 6 months. David became very personal to us and we knew he was the perfect decision. David is an absolute hound on getting the best decision for the children and also his clients.

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After hiring another attorney and not getting what I needed, I did a little more checking and found and hired Mr. David White. He was great from the start and did what he said he would do. Our ultimate goal was a case dismissal but would be hard to accomplish. We stayed patient through Covid but he was persistent and persuasive as well. I am so proud of him! We got the case dismissed, well he did with only a little help on my part. Great job David! He is a class act and well respected in the courts.

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My wife needed a family law attorney for a custody dispute. I had a list of attorney's I was considering. I interviewed David and immediately knew he was the one I wanted representing her. I knew what I wanted in a Family Law attorney. I've spent over 2 decades negotiating contracts in my career, and I wanted a negotiator. David is sharp, wise and has decades of experience. David's philosophy is the child and the childs' interests come first.

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Spousal Maintenance (Spousal Support)

Spousal maintenance—also referred to as alimony—is financial support paid from one spouse to another during or after a divorce. It is not automatically granted; instead, the court considers several factors under A.R.S. §25-319 to determine whether support is appropriate.

A spouse may qualify for spousal maintenance if they:

Lack sufficient property to meet reasonable needs
Cannot be self-sufficient through current employment
Have a child whose age or condition prevents them from seeking employment
Were married for a long duration
Supported or funded the other spouse’s education or career

When deciding the amount and duration of maintenance, the court may consider:

Length of the marriage
Standard of living established during the marriage
Age, physical and emotional condition of the spouse seeking support
Employment history and earning capacity of both spouses
Contributions made to the other spouse’s earning potential
Sacrifices made in career or education for family care
Whether either spouse concealed or recklessly spent community assets
Ability to contribute to children’s educational needs

Every case is different, and courts have broad discretion in how spousal maintenance is awarded. Contact us today at 480-664-4900 or fill out our online form here.

Divorce & Legal Separation Resources

Arizona offers various public resources that may assist you throughout the divorce process:

Maricopa County Superior Court – Family Division

Arizona Self-Service Center

AZ Court Help

Social Security Administration

Family Lawyer’s Assistance Project (FLAP)

201 W. Jefferson, 6th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 506-7948

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