Family Court

Maricopa County AZ Family Court touches nearly every aspect of family life when a relationship breaks down or major changes happen—divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, and safety concerns like domestic violence. This guide walks you through how the Maricopa County family court system works, what to expect in common types of cases, how to use official resources and forms, and where to go—online and in person—when you’re ready to take the next step. The focus is on practical, step-by-step information so you can move through the process more confidently and make full use of the official court services available to you.

Understand How Maricopa County Family Court Works for Your Case

The family division of the Superior Court in Maricopa County is called the Family Department. It is the central place where cases involving divorce, legal separation, legal decision-making (custody), parenting time, child support, and spousal support are filed and decided.

The Family Department’s role is to:

Accept and process family-related filings
Schedule and conduct hearings and conferences
Issue court orders that are legally enforceable
Offer court-based programs to help families resolve disputes

You can learn more about the Family Department’s services, programs, and locations directly through the official Family Department of the Superior Court page.

From there, you can navigate to information on divorce, child custody and support, conciliation services, and special programs like Decree on Demand and Early Resolution Conferences.

Start a Family Court Case: Divorce, Legal Separation, or Annulment

When a marriage ends or spouses decide they cannot continue living as a married couple, the case usually begins with a filing for dissolution of marriage (divorce) or legal separation in Maricopa County Superior Court.

In Arizona, divorce is called a Dissolution of Marriage. There is a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date the other party is served before a divorce can be finalized. How long your case actually takes depends on:

Whether you and your spouse agree on all issues
Whether children are involved
The complexity of property and debt
Whether there are disputes about support or custody

Use Official Divorce and Legal Separation Services

The court provides detailed guidance on how divorce and legal separation work, the forms you will need, and special processes that can make things more efficient. You can review these options in depth on the official divorce and legal separation services page.

From that page you’ll find information on:

Filing requirements and timelines
Service of process
Required classes or programs in cases involving children
How hearings are scheduled and what to expect

Explore Different Types of Decrees

Depending on whether you and your spouse agree, there are several paths to a final decree:

Summary Consent Decree

A Summary Consent Decree is used when both parties reach full agreement on all issues before the case is even filed. You and your spouse work out all decisions—property, debts, legal decision-making, parenting time, child support, and spousal maintenance—and then file the case with a complete agreement.

This option is usually faster and less stressful because there are no contested hearings. The court reviews your agreement to make sure it meets legal requirements and serves the best interests of the children.

Consent Decree

A Consent Decree is similar but is often used when the case has already been filed and the parties later reach an agreement. The decree sets out the terms you both have agreed to regarding:

Division of property and debts
Child legal decision-making and parenting time
Child support and spousal support

After the decree is lodged with the court, it goes through a review process. The Family Department has adopted procedures to ensure consent decrees and other stipulated final orders are processed and ruled upon within a short time frame once lodged, which can significantly reduce delays.

Decree on Demand

The Decree on Demand program is designed for situations where:

A party has filed for divorce
The other party has not responded (default)
The statutory time limits have passed

This service allows eligible petitioners to schedule a default hearing once all deadlines and requirements are met. The process generally includes:

Completing the required Default Decree packet
Emailing the packet for review
Attending a hearing at a designated Family Department location
Having staff review the paperwork before you go into the courtroom

If your documents are in order, the court can finalize your divorce at that default hearing, which can avoid significant waiting and repeated trips to court. The Decree on Demand option is explained more fully under the court’s decree resources and support pages, accessible through the divorce services section.

Protect Your Children: Legal Decision-Making, Parenting Time, and Support

Whenever children are involved, Maricopa County AZ Family Court places special emphasis on the best interests of the child. The court’s decisions about legal decision-making (custody), parenting time, and child support are guided by this standard.

Understand Legal Decision-Making and Parenting Time

Legal decision-making refers to who has authority to make major decisions for the child, such as education, health care, and religious training. Parenting time reflects when the child is with each parent.

The court may order:

Joint legal decision-making (both parents share authority)

Sole legal decision-making to one parent, in limited circumstances

A detailed parenting time schedule that covers weekdays, weekends, holidays, vacations, and exchanges

The custody and child support information page explains how these decisions are approached and how they tie into child support.

Learn How Child Support Is Calculated and Ordered

Child support is usually determined under Arizona’s child support guidelines and is intended to ensure both parents contribute fairly to the costs of raising their children. The court looks at factors such as:

Both parents’ incomes
Health insurance costs
Child-care expenses
Number of children and parenting time schedule

Orders may cover:

Basic support amount
Medical insurance coverage
Unreimbursed medical expenses
Child-care costs

Modify Child Support When Circumstances Change

If your income changes, parenting time shifts, or children’s needs increase or decrease, you may be able to modify an existing child support order. Maricopa County offers two main processes through the Family Department:

Standard Process to Modify Child Support

You file a Petition to Modify Child Support (Standard Process).

You receive an Order to Appear for a conference with the Family Court Conference Center and a subsequent evidentiary hearing.

A Conference Officer works with both parties to see if an agreement can be reached.

If you agree, the terms are put in writing and submitted to a judicial officer to sign that day.

If there is no agreement, you proceed directly to a hearing where the judge enters a final order.

This same-day conference-plus-hearing structure is designed to avoid long delays between negotiations and a court decision.

Simplified Process to Modify Child Support

In some cases, a Simplified Process is available:

A party files a Petition to Modify using simplified forms.

The petition is served on the other party.

The responding party has a limited number of days to request a hearing (typically 20 days if they live in Arizona and 30 days if they live outside Arizona).

If no hearing is requested, the court may enter an order based on the petition and supporting documents.

This can be an efficient way to adjust child support when changes are straightforward and relatively uncontested.

Use Conciliation, Evaluation, and Mediation to Settle Disputes

Many families would rather avoid a long, contested trial, especially when children are involved. Maricopa County AZ Family Court offers several services through its Conciliation Services and related programs to help parents resolve disputes.

Turn to Conciliation Services for Marital Decision-Making

Under Arizona law, the Superior Court may offer Conciliation Court Services for married couples who are considering divorce or already in the process.

Key points about conciliation services:

They begin with a Petition for Conciliation filed at a regional office.

You don’t need to have an active divorce case to file.

Once the petition is accepted, there is a 60-day period during which neither party may file for divorce or legal separation, and existing cases generally cannot move forward.

Both spouses are required to attend the scheduled sessions.

Conferences are confidential and conducted by trained marriage and family professionals.

No one is forced to reconcile; the goal is informed, thoughtful decision-making about the marriage.

To understand the scope of these services and how to start the process, visit the court’s official family conciliation services page.

Participate in Parenting Conferences and Evaluations

When parents disagree about legal decision-making or parenting time, the court can order an evaluation service such as a Parenting Conference through Conciliation Services.

During a parenting conference:

A Conciliator meets with both parents (jointly and individually) and may interview the children.

The Conciliator reviews relevant records (such as Department of Child Safety or law-enforcement records) if appropriate.

Areas of agreement and disagreement are identified.

A written report with recommendations is prepared for the court, usually within a defined time frame before the next hearing.

The judge may rely on this report when deciding what arrangement is in the children’s best interests.

Use Mediation to Build a Parenting Plan

Mediation focuses on helping parents make their own decisions about the children after separation or divorce. In mediation:

A neutral mediator helps both parents discuss legal decision-making and parenting time.

The emphasis is on the future, not re-litigating past conflicts.

Parents work toward a detailed parenting plan they can both follow.

The mediator does not give legal advice but can help structure discussion and point out problem areas.

Mediation is strongly encouraged and may be required in cases involving child-related disputes, especially where communication is difficult but both parents are able to participate safely.

Attend Court-Related Parenting Programs

In higher-conflict cases, the court may order or recommend educational programs:

Parental Conflict Resolution Class (PCR) – a four-hour class focused on reducing conflict and protecting children from its negative effects.

Parent Information Program (PIP) – a mandatory class in many divorce, separation, or paternity cases involving legal decision-making, parenting time, or child support.

These programs are designed to give parents practical tools to support their children through family changes and to lower the emotional temperature of ongoing disputes.

Resolve Issues Early: Early Resolution Conference and Family Conference Center

Some cases can be significantly streamlined by using court-offered support services that combine paperwork assistance, settlement efforts, and quick access to a judicial officer.

Take Advantage of Early Resolution Conferences

The Early Resolution Conference (ERC) is a tool for self-represented parties in divorce or related cases who need help resolving all or most of their issues before trial.

During an ERC:

You and the other party meet (often virtually) with a Family Law Case Manager (FLCM).

You are required to submit a Resolution Statement beforehand that outlines what you want and where you disagree.

The FLCM works with both parties to identify agreements and narrow disputes.

Agreements can be drafted and finalized during or shortly after the conference.

You can learn more about how ERCs work and when they are scheduled through the official Early Resolution Conference program page.

Use the Family Conference Center for Support-Related Issues

The Family Conference Center helps with the establishment, modification, and enforcement of court orders involving:

Child support
Spousal support
Parenting time enforcement
Orders of assignment and some specialty courts related to support

At conferences, officers:

Meet with the parties to review orders, payments, and compliance
Attempt to reach agreements on arrears, payment plans, or schedule changes
Prepare written agreements for the court’s approval

If no agreement is reached, cases often move directly into evidentiary hearings the same day so that a judicial officer can issue an enforceable order without extended delays. Information about the Family Conference Center is available as part of the court-offered support section on the Family Conference Center support options page.

Use Official Family Court Forms and Self-Help Resources

Navigating Maricopa County AZ Family Court is much easier when you know exactly which forms you need and where to find instructions.

Visit the Law Library Resource Center

The Law Library Resource Center (LLRC) is the court’s primary self-help hub. It provides:

Research guides on topics like divorce and child support
Fill-in-the-blank forms for family cases
Instructions and checklists
Information on workshops and events

You can access these resources online through the Law Library Resource Center page.

Download Family Court Forms Directly

The LLRC provides dedicated, step-by-step forms specifically for family law cases, including:

Divorce and legal separation packets
Parenting time and legal decision-making forms
Child support establishment and modification forms
Post-decree enforcement forms

To go straight to family-related packets, visit the family court forms collection. Many packets include:

Detailed instructions
Checklists of what you must file
Required supporting documents

Some forms can be completed using the court’s online form tools, which can help you avoid common errors.

Track Your Case Online: Family Court Dockets and Calendars

Once your case is filed, it becomes part of the public docket (subject to privacy rules). Maricopa County makes a significant amount of information available online so you can monitor your case without calling or visiting the courthouse.

Through the docket pages, you can:

Look up family court case information by party name or case number
Review scheduled hearings on the court calendar
Access minute entries (summaries of what happened at each hearing)

To search your case, use the official public access to family court case information page.

Keep in mind:

Some updates may take time to appear due to auditing

Not every document is available online; some must be requested through the Clerk’s Office

You should always read and follow any orders you receive by mail or through official electronic notice

Address Safety Concerns: Orders of Protection and Related Relief

When there is family violence or serious threats, safety must come first. An Order of Protection is a civil court order meant to help prevent continuing acts of domestic or family violence.

An Order of Protection can:

Prohibit the defendant from contacting you directly or indirectly
Restrict contact at specific locations such as your home, workplace, or school
Require the defendant to surrender firearms and ammunition in some circumstances

Important points:

It is not meant to be a shortcut to change custody, except where the children are in danger.

It is not a substitute for normal parenting time orders.

You should still develop a personal safety plan and remain cautious, even with an order in place.

The court also provides procedures for Emergency Orders of Protection when the court is closed and there is an immediate danger, typically accessed through local law enforcement.

For detailed steps on how to apply, what to bring, and what to expect, consult the court’s official Orders of Protection guide.

Manage Child Support Payments Through Official Channels

Once child support is ordered by Maricopa County AZ Family Court, payments are generally processed through state and county systems. In Maricopa County, the Clerk of the Superior Court and the Department of Economic Security (DES) play key roles in handling payments.

Understand IV-D vs. Non-IV-D Cases

Before choosing a payment method, it matters whether your case is:

IV-D – handled through a state child support enforcement program, which helps establish and enforce orders and collect unpaid child support.

Non-IV-D – a privately maintained support case, not enforced by the state’s IV-D agency.

Instructions and options may differ depending on this classification.

Explore Official Child Support Payment Options

The Family Support Services Division of the Clerk’s Office is responsible for timely processing of support payments and assisting with payment questions. Official payment methods include:

Online payments using designated gateways
Pay-by-phone options through DCSS and the payment gateway for IV-D cases
Mail-in payments to the Support Payment Clearinghouse
Walk-in cash payments at local retailers participating in the designated program

For complete, current instructions, follow the official child support payment options with the Clerk of Superior Court page. It also provides information on:

Electronic payment cards and FAQs
Where to mail checks and money orders
How to request payment histories
Who to contact about lost or misapplied payments

Plan Your Visit: Family Department Locations and Regional Centers

Family Court services in Maricopa County are not limited to a single downtown building. The Family Department operates out of several main locations across the county, often referred to as Family Department Locations or regional centers.

Key sites include:

A central downtown court building that houses major Family Department operations
A Northeast Regional Center serving north and northeast parts of the county
A Northwest Regional Center serving the west valley
A Southeast Justice Center serving the southeast valley

These locations host hearings, Decree on Demand default hearings, conferences, and other family-related proceedings. When a hearing, conference, or class is scheduled, your notice will specify which facility to attend and how to check in.

Tap Into Additional Court Resources Connected to Family Cases

Family law cases often intersect with other court services and departments. As you navigate Maricopa County AZ Family Court, you may find these additional official resources helpful:

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Provides structured ways to resolve disputes outside a full trial, including mediations and settlement conferences.

Interpreter and translation services: Helps non-English speakers or those who need accommodations communicate with the court.

Court Records and minute entries: Allow you to obtain copies of filed documents and official records through the court and Clerk’s websites.

Jury, locations, and holiday schedules: Important if your case touches other parts of the court system or if you need to plan around court closures.

These services are all accessed through the court’s official web pages and the Clerk of the Superior Court site, both of which are tightly integrated with the Family Department’s operations.

Family Court–Related Departments, Addresses, and Phone Numbers

Family Department – Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003 – Information Center: 602-506-3204

Family Department – Northeast Regional Center, 18380 N. 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85032

Family Department – Northwest Regional Center, 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane, Surprise, AZ 85374

Family Department – Southeast Justice Center, 222 E. Javelina Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85210

Law Library Resource Center – Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003 – Information Center: 602-506-3204

Clerk of the Superior Court – Family Support Services, 620 West Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003 – Office Telephone: 602-372-5375

Maricopa County Family Court FAQs

How do I file or respond to a divorce case in this court?

To start a divorce (called a Dissolution of Marriage) you file the required pleadings with the Clerk of Superior Court and serve the other party. There is a mandatory 60-day waiting period before the court can finalize most divorces. The court explains filing steps, timelines, and decree options on its Divorce and Legal Separation page.

What options exist if we already agree on all divorce terms?

If both spouses agree on everything—property, debts, legal decision-making, parenting time, and support—you may use a Summary Consent Decree or standard Consent Decree instead of going to trial. In some default situations, “Decree on Demand” lets eligible parties set a default hearing after statutory time limits are met. These procedures are described through the Family Department of the Maricopa County Superior Court.

What help is available if we are self-represented and can’t settle issues?

The Early Resolution Conference (ERC) is a court-offered service for many self-represented parties. A Family Law Case Manager works with both sides to resolve as many issues as possible and prepare paperwork. ERCs are typically required, held virtually, and you must file a Resolution Statement beforehand. Standardized packets are available through the court’s Family Court Forms page.

How can I change an existing child support order?

To modify child support, you file either a Standard Process Petition to Modify Child Support or a Simplified Process petition, depending on your situation. The Standard Process usually includes a conference with a Conference Officer and, if needed, a same-day evidentiary hearing where a judicial officer enters a new order. The Simplified Process relies on serving the other party, who has a limited time to request a hearing.

Where do I pay court-ordered child support?

Payments are handled through the Clerk of Superior Court and state child support systems, not directly by the judge. You can make payments online, by phone, mail, or approved retail locations, depending on whether your case is a state-enforced (IV-D) or private (Non-IV-D) case. The Child Support Payments page explains each payment method and links to the appropriate portals.

How do I request an Order of Protection related to a family case?

If you meet the relationship and conduct requirements, you can request an Order of Protection to restrict contact and, when ordered, firearms possession. Emergency Orders are available through law enforcement when courts are closed and last seven days; you must then seek a regular order from the court. Step-by-step instructions and forms are on the court’s Orders of Protection page.