Co-Parenting App for Arizona Parents

What Arizona courts consider in custody decisions

Arizona courts consider 11 factors including the past, present, and potential future relationship between each parent and child, the child's adjustment to home/school/community, the child's wishes (if of suitable age and maturity), the mental and physical health of all individuals, which parent is more likely to allow frequent and meaningful contact with the other parent, whether either parent intentionally misled the court to cause delay or gain a preference, whether there has been domestic violence or child abuse, and the nature of any coercion used to obtain a custody agreement. Arizona uniquely requires the court to make specific findings on the record about all relevant factors in contested cases.

How the custody process works in Arizona

Arizona uses 'legal decision-making' instead of custody and 'parenting time' instead of visitation. Cases are filed in Superior Court, Family Court Division. Parents must attend a mandatory Parent Information Program class. In most counties, mediation through Conciliation Court services is required before a contested hearing. If parents cannot agree, the court may appoint a Best Interests Attorney, an advisor, or a guardian ad litem for the child.

Key Arizona custody statutes

• Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 25-403
• Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 25-403.01
• Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 25-405