If you have family law issues that you need to deal with, it’s important for you to know what kinds of Arizona family law forms are available. Here are the most common situations for which people tend to need this kind of paperwork, including examples. Keep in mind that it’s always important to consult an expert when it comes to legal matters, and a legal document preparer can help you to confirm which forms are required, and ensure that you’ve filled them out correctly.
Arizona family law forms for child custody
When filing for child custody, you should always check which forms are required with the superior court clerk associated with whatever court you’ll be filing in. Different courts use different forms. That being said, here are some of the types of forms that you may need to fill out:
- Petition for Appointment of Guardian(s)
- Acceptance of Guardianship
- Notice of Hearing
- Proof of Notice
- Letters of Guardianship
- Assorted affidavits
Child support modification forms in Arizona
Arizona’s child support guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model and use the income of both parents to figure out how much support is owed and to whom. When circumstances change and the amount of support needs to be modified, here are some of the forms that will be required.
Start by filling out the form associated with the child support calculator, which you’ll find on the Arizona Judicial Branch’s website. This will give you a good idea of what you ought to expect for a child support payment.
If your situation meets all of the criteria for a change to be considered, fill out the Request for Modification Review of Child Support form, then send it to your local child support office for processing.
Spousal support forms
Spousal support, also known as spousal maintenance or alimony, is governed by statute ARS 25-319. As with everything else, the forms you’ll need to fill out may vary depending on exactly where you live. Check with a legal document preparer for guidance to make sure you fill out the forms correctly.
Forms for legal separation in Arizona
It’s important to note that the forms required are different depending on whether children are involved. Some of the forms that may be required include the following:
- A summons
- Preliminary Injunction
- Petition for Legal Separation
- Notice Regarding Creditors
Divorce documents
You or your spouse must have lived in Arizona for at least 90 days before filing for a divorce here. If you haven’t met the 90-day requirement yet, wait until you have before you file your Dissolution of Marriage forms. The good news is that Arizona is a no-fault state when it comes to divorce – this means that you don’t have to prove that your spouse wronged you in some way in order to have your request for divorce granted.
Don’t try to fill out Arizona family law forms by yourself
While having the willingness to fill out complicated legal forms on your own is to be admired, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress by seeking professional help when it comes to completing legal documents for family law matters. Consider enlisting the help of a legal document preparer to make the entire process go much more smoothly.