It can be hard to file for divorce, especially if you have never been to court before. If you reside in Pinal County, Arizona, knowing the fundamental procedures might help you feel like you can handle the process better. Under Arizona law, the divorce procedure is the same no matter where you live, whether it’s in Casa Grande, San Tan Valley, or a nearby town. Read on to learn more.
Meeting the Requirements for Living in Arizona
At least one spouse must have lived in Arizona for at least 90 days before they may file for divorce in Pinal County. You don’t have to live in Pinal County for a certain period of time, but the lawsuit must be filed in the county where one of the spouses now lives. In Arizona, you don’t have to prove blame in a divorce. This implies you don’t have to show that someone did something wrong. You just say that the marriage is damaged beyond repair.
Putting in the Divorce Petition
The first step in getting a divorce is to file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the Pinal County Superior Court. The petition provides basic information including the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, any children involved, and what the filing spouse wants in terms of property, debts, child custody, and support.
The petition must be legally served on the other spouse after it has been filed. It’s very important to serve properly, because errors might slow down your case.
Answering the Divorce Papers
The spouse who receives the service has a short amount of time to write a written response. If you serve someone in Arizona, you usually have 20 days to respond. If you serve someone outside of Arizona, you usually have 30 days.
If the spouse who is answering does not file a response, the case may go on as a default divorce. This can speed things up, but you still have to be careful to avoid making mistakes that cost a lot of money.
Solving Important Divorce Problems
There are two types of divorce cases: uncontested and contentious. When both spouses agree on all the important issues, such as how to divide their property, how to spend time with their children, who makes legal decisions, how much child support to pay, and how much spousal maintenance to pay, the divorce is uncontested. If there are issues, the court may demand mediation or hearings in front of a judge. Many divorces settle before trial, even when there are disagreements, with the aid of expert legal advice.
Finishing the Divorce
There is a 60-day waiting period in Arizona that starts when the responding spouse is served. After that time, and once all problems have been fixed, the court can sign the Decree of Dissolution of Marriage, which ends the marriage for good.
Families in Casa Grande or San Tan Valley may make sure that deadlines are met and documentation is done right by consulting with a lawyer in their area.
Get Help with Your Divorce in Pinal County
Your finances, family, and future will all be affected by divorce. You don’t have to go through it alone. The lawyers at High Desert Family Law Group assist people in Pinal County understand their rights and go forward with confidence. Call High Desert Family Law Group immediately to set up a private meeting if you’re thinking about getting a divorce or have concerns about filing in Pinal County. This is the first step in getting clear and feeling better..
