At least one spouse must be domiciled in Arizona for 90 days before filing. Grounds: No-fault only: the marriage is irretrievably broken. Property: community property. Arizona is a community-property state. Community assets and debts acquired during marriage are generally divided under community-property principles (often equally); separate property is confirmed to the owning spouse when properly traced. That is what separates Arizona how to file for divorce from a generic national summary. Read Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-312, 25-318 before the background sections below. Waiting period: A decree generally cannot issue until at least 60 days after service of process (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 25-329). File in Superior Court in the county where either party resides.
Grounds for divorce in Arizona
No-fault only: the marriage is irretrievably broken.
Even in no-fault states, fault allegations can still affect temporary support, attorney’s fees, or credibility disputes. Read the live statute text on LawDiver and pair it with the LawDiver search rail scoped to Arizona.
Property division: community property
Arizona is a community-property state. Community assets and debts acquired during marriage are generally divided under community-property principles (often equally); separate property is confirmed to the owning spouse when properly traced.
Retirement accounts, closely held businesses, and marital homes often need valuations and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs). Do not assume an informal split of bank accounts finishes the case.
Waiting periods and timelines
A decree generally cannot issue until at least 60 days after service of process (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 25-329).
A concrete Arizona scenario
Here is one way the Arizona pieces fit together. Change any fact and the statute may point somewhere else.
A spouse wants to file for divorce in Arizona and is unsure about residency, grounds, and property.
- Confirm residency: At least one spouse must be domiciled in Arizona for 90 days before filing.
- Plead grounds Arizona recognizes: No-fault only: the marriage is irretrievably broken.
- Expect property division under community property: Arizona is a community-property state. Community assets and debts acquired during marriage are generally divided under community-property principles (often equally); separate property is confirmed to the owning spouse when properly traced.
- Plan the timeline: A decree generally cannot issue until at least 60 days after service of process (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 25-329). A petition for dissolution starts the case; a preliminary injunction freezes asset transfers and harassment. Parties exchange Rule 49 disclosure statements. Contested matters proceed through temporary orders, mediation, and trial. The decree divides community property, addresses spousal maintenance under § 25-319, and incorporates parenting plans when applicable.
Arizona Superior Court self-service centers and azcourts.gov publish dissolution forms; community-property tracing often needs counsel.
The typical Arizona divorce process
A petition for dissolution starts the case; a preliminary injunction freezes asset transfers and harassment. Parties exchange Rule 49 disclosure statements. Contested matters proceed through temporary orders, mediation, and trial. The decree divides community property, addresses spousal maintenance under § 25-319, and incorporates parenting plans when applicable.
Self-help and when to hire counsel
Arizona Superior Court self-service centers and azcourts.gov publish dissolution forms; community-property tracing often needs counsel.
Related Arizona guides
- Child custody and parenting time in Arizona
- Security deposit return in Arizona
- DUI penalties in Arizona
Case law: divorce in Arizona
Walter A. DRESSLER, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Dona MORRISON Fka Dona M. Dressler, a Single Woman, Individually and as
…on. For example, in Dawson v. McNaney, this Court allowed a divorced wife to proceed in a separate action against her former husband to recover a one-half interest in certain real and personal property that was not disposed of in a prior divorce decree. 71 Ariz. 79, 83, 223 P.2d 907, 909 (1950). Applying Arizona Code § 27-805 (1939), the statutory predecessor to A.R.S. § 25-318…
Walter A. DRESSLER, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Dona MORRISON Fka Dona M. Dressler, a Single Woman, Individually and as is worth reading on Arizona divorce because the court put the point in its own words: "For example, in Dawson v. McNaney, this Court allowed a divorced wife to proceed in a separate action against her former husband to recover a one-half interest in certain real and personal property that was not disposed of in a prior divorce decree. 71 Ariz. 79, 83, 223 P." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
In the Matter of the ESTATE OF Angelo L. LAMPARELLA, Deceased. Norma C. Lamparella, Personal Representative
…e second statute, A.R.S. § 14r-2804 (1995), provides that a divorce automatically rescinds any pre-dissolution revocable disposition or appointment of property made by a divorced spouse to that person’s former spouse. ¶2 We hold A.R.S. § 25-318(B) does not apply when a decree effectuates an explicit property settlement agreement that disposes of all of the parties’ marital asse…
On divorce, In the Matter of the ESTATE OF Angelo L. LAMPARELLA, Deceased. Norma C. Lamparella, Personal Representative speaks to the Arizona dispute in this passage: "A.R.S. § 14r-2804 (1995), provides that a divorce automatically rescinds any pre-dissolution revocable disposition or appointment of property made by a divorced spouse to that person’s former spouse. ¶2 We hold A.R.S." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
In Re the Marriage Of: Peggy RUVALCABA, by and Through Her Temporary Guardian, Betty STUBBLEFIELD
…to her guardian, in the event that Mrs. Ruvalcaba pursued a divorce, and threatened to flee to Mexico with the son. A temporary restraining order was granted by the court. Following a Show Cause Hearing, the court awarded "temporary care, custody and control" of the couple's son to Mrs. Ruvalcaba, "acting by and through her Guardian," subject to reasonable visitation rights to…
On divorce, In Re the Marriage Of: Peggy RUVALCABA, by and Through Her Temporary Guardian, Betty STUBBLEFIELD speaks to the Arizona dispute in this passage: "Mrs. Ruvalcaba pursued a divorce, and threatened to flee to Mexico with the son. A temporary restraining order was granted by the court. Following a Show Cause Hearing, the court awarded 'temporary care, custody and control' of the couple's son to Mrs." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Mary Jean ELLSWORTH, a Divorced Woman, Appellant, v. Louis B. ELLSWORTH, a Divorced Man, D/B/A Ellsworth Motors
…o were formerly husband and wife and as to whom a decree of divorce had been rendered on April 17, 1964. By this decree, the husband was awarded a divorce from the wife, and as his separate property, ten of the twelve items described as community property in the decree. The wife was awarded only the home of the parties and an automobile,, both being subject to encumbrances. In…
On divorce, Mary Jean ELLSWORTH, a Divorced Woman, Appellant, v. Louis B. ELLSWORTH, a Divorced Man, D/B/A Ellsworth Motors speaks to the Arizona dispute in this passage: "April 17, 1964. By this decree, the husband was awarded a divorce from the wife, and as his separate property, ten of the twelve items described as community property in the decree." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Wilma Cornell SOLOMON and Adrienne Michelle Findley, Plaintiffs/Appellants, v. Lloyd Talbott FINDLEY, Defendant/Appellee
…with Findley absent, the decree was entered by default. The divorce court approved the agreement, including the educational support provision, and incorporated it into the decree. Solomon first sought to enforce the decree by filing an order to show cause, alleging failure to provide educational funds to Adrienne, their daughter, as the decree re *410 quired. The divorce court…
Practitioners open Wilma Cornell SOLOMON and Adrienne Michelle Findley, Plaintiffs/Appellants, v. Lloyd Talbott FINDLEY, Defendant/Appellee when Arizona divorce turns on the distinction in this sentence: "Findley absent, the decree was entered by default. The divorce court approved the agreement, including the educational support provision, and incorporated it into the decree." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
Opal N. CARPENTER, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Sandra CARPENTER, Defendant-Appellant
Opal N. CARPENTER, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Sandra CARPENTER, Defendant-Appellant, 150 Ariz. 62 (1986)
…pouse's "contributions [to an employee stock plan] prior to divorce consisted in [sic] deductions from his salary, which certainly qualifies as community property;" Id., 2 Ariz. App. at 207-08, 407 P.2d at 396-97. Community property, including contributory financial plans, is subject to division by the court. Id.; see also Koelsch v. Koelsch, 148 Ariz. 176, 713 P.2d 1234, 1239…
Opal N. CARPENTER, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Sandra CARPENTER, Defendant-Appellant is worth reading on Arizona divorce because the court put the point in its own words: "Id., 2 Ariz. App. at 207-08, 407 P.2d at 396-97. Community property, including contributory financial plans, is subject to division by the court. Id.; see also Koelsch v. Koelsch, 148 Ariz. 176, 713 P." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Frederick Jarrett FLOWERS, Appellant, v. Carolyn FLOWERS, Appellee
Frederick Jarrett FLOWERS, Appellant, v. Carolyn FLOWERS, Appellee, 118 Ariz. 577 (1978)
…om the Air Force were community property at the time of the divorce, even though the retirement was for an involuntary disability rather than a voluntary retirement. See, also Dominey v. Dominey, 481 S.W.2d 473, 475 (Tex.Civ.App. 1972), cert. den. 409 U.S. 1028, 93 S.Ct. 462, 34 L.Ed.2d 321 (1972). *579 The husband wants us to follow the lead of the California decisions in whic…
On divorce, Frederick Jarrett FLOWERS, Appellant, v. Carolyn FLOWERS, Appellee speaks to the Arizona dispute in this passage: "Air Force were community property at the time of the divorce, even though the retirement was for an involuntary disability rather than a voluntary retirement. See, also Dominey v. Dominey, 481 S.W.2d 473, 475 (Tex.Civ.App. 1972), cert. den. 409 U.S. 1028, 93 S.Ct. 462, 34 L.Ed." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Key takeaways
- Residency: At least one spouse must be domiciled in Arizona for 90 days before filing.
- Grounds: No-fault only: the marriage is irretrievably broken.
- Property: community property — Arizona is a community-property state.
- Waiting period: A decree generally cannot issue until at least 60 days after service of process (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 25-329).
- Filing forum: Superior Court in the county where either party resides.
- Primary authority: Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-312, 25-318.
Residency and where to file
At least one spouse must be domiciled in Arizona for 90 days before filing. File in the Superior Court in the county where either party resides. Wrong venue or missing residency can delay service, temporary orders, and the final decree — confirm the county clerk’s checklist before you pay the filing fee.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to live in Arizona before filing for divorce?
At least one spouse must be domiciled in Arizona for 90 days before filing.
Is Arizona a community-property state?
Arizona follows community property. Arizona is a community-property state. Community assets and debts acquired during marriage are generally divided under community-property principles (often equally); separate property is confirmed to the owning spouse when properly traced.
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Arizona?
Arizona Superior Court self-service centers and azcourts.gov publish dissolution forms; community-property tracing often needs counsel.
What happens to child custody in a Arizona divorce?
Custody and parenting time are decided under Arizona’s best-interests framework. See child custody and parenting time in Arizona.
This guide covers Arizona law as of 2026. Statutes and local rules change — verify the live text on LawDiver before filing.