Although there may be exceptions, the law in Arizona generally requires any court-ordered support or maintenance payments to be paid through the state's support payment clearinghouse. The clearinghouse maintains the names and addresses of the parties involved as well as employment information for the party who must make support payments. Under the law, the clearinghouse must be notified if any party changes their address.
How to file for uncontested divorce in Arizona
In Arizona, the spouse who files for divorce is called the Petitioner. The other spouse in the case is called the Respondent. State law requires that at least one of the parties has lived in the state for 90 days. Additionally, the divorce cannot become final for at least 60 days after paperwork has been filed.
Child custody and visitation in Arizona
Arizona parents who are divorcing will also need to come to an agreement regarding child custody and visitation. This is ideally decided by themselves in furtherance of the child's best interests, but when that is not possible, the court will step in and make a decision.
Prenuptial agreements can benefit both spouses
Prenuptial agreements are growing in popularity in Arizona and across the nation as people seek to protect their existing assets and personal property. While these legal contracts are often favored by older couples who may have been married before and have a good deal of private property, they are still sometimes frowned upon by younger couples who are just beginning the marriage process and may be more focused on their wedding plans than working out the details of their future finances. However, younger couples may be able to benefit the most from these preplanned arrangements.
Arizona's new approach to child support
Arizona is changing the way they handle issues of child support. In an effort to better help children, the Division of Child Support Services, a branch of the La Paz County Attorney's Office, has focused on actively assisting children and parents in positive ways. This change began with the division's name that went from being the Department of Child Support Enforcement, which harbored negative connotations, to DCSS's current title. DCSS is also raising public awareness declaring August Arizona's Child Support Awareness month.
