If you live in Chandler and you’re thinking about divorce, it’s important to know that Arizona has its own specific laws and court procedures. Arizona is a no-fault divorce state, which means you don’t have to prove that your spouse did something wrong to end the marriage. All you need to state is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. That sounds simple, but the actual process involves many steps and decisions.
Each city or town in Arizona has local courts that handle divorce cases. The procedures and paperwork may vary slightly depending on where you file. If you live in Chandler, your case will likely go through the Maricopa County Superior Court.
Filing there means you’ll need to follow specific county procedures for divorce, which include filling out detailed forms, attending hearings, and potentially responding to motions or court orders, and you would no doubt need a Chandler divorce lawyer in Chandler to help you make sense of the procedure.
Here are the 5 most important things to think about before you file.
- Decide What Type of Divorce You’re Filing For
The type of divorce you choose affects everything else in the process. Arizona only allows no-fault divorce, so you won’t be listing cheating, abuse, or abandonment as official reasons. But you still need to think about whether your case will be contested or uncontested.
- If both you and your spouse agree on everything (like property, custody, and support), then it’s uncontested. That makes the process faster, cheaper, and simpler.
- If there’s disagreement on anything, it becomes contested. This often leads to court hearings, negotiations, and more legal fees.
- Consider If You’ll Need to Hire a Lawyer
You’re not required to get a lawyer for a divorce, but that doesn’t mean you should go without one. A lawyer helps you understand what your rights are under Arizona’s laws. They make sure you’re not missing anything important.
In most cases, a lawyer can only represent one side, so if you and your spouse both want legal help, you’ll each need your own attorney. This is especially important in contested divorces, where both sides are negotiating for property, custody, or spousal support.
- Get Your Finances in Order
Before you file, get a full picture of your financial life. That includes:
- Your income and your spouse’s income
- Shared and individual assets (like bank accounts, cars, or houses)
- Debts, loans, and credit cards in both your names
- Retirement plans, stock investments, and savings accounts
Start collecting documents now. You’ll need things like:
- Tax returns
- Pay stubs
- Mortgage statements
- Credit card bills
- Investment account summaries
- Car loan and insurance statements
- Make a Plan for Parenting If You Have Kids
If you have children, your divorce will be more complex. Arizona courts require a parenting plan that covers custody, visitation, and decision-making responsibilities. The court focuses on what’s best for the child, not what’s most convenient for the parents.
Try to work with your spouse to create a shared parenting plan. The court is more likely to approve a plan that both parents agree on. But if you can’t agree, the court will decide. This usually involves input from lawyers, child psychologists, or even a court-appointed representative for the child, which increases the cost and complexity.
Don’t involve your kids in the divorce. Don’t talk badly about your spouse in front of them. Courts want to see that you can support your child’s relationship with the other parent. If they think you’re trying to turn your child against your ex, it could hurt your custody case.
- Take Steps to Protect Your Credit
When you’re married, your financial life is often tied to your spouse’s. That can be a problem during a divorce. If your spouse misses a credit card payment and your name is still on the account, it can hurt your credit, too. Even after the divorce is final, joint accounts can stay on your credit report unless they’re closed.
Here’s how to protect your credit:
- Try to pay off and close joint accounts before the divorce is finalized. That way, there’s no risk of future charges or missed payments affecting your credit.
- If you can’t pay off accounts right away, freeze them to stop any new charges until you decide who will be responsible for the debt.
- If possible, convert joint accounts to individual accounts. This may require both of you to agree and sign off.
- Open a new credit card in your name. This helps you build your own credit history and separates your finances from your spouse’s.
- Let creditors know you’re going through a divorce. This way, you can update your address and make sure you still get statements and notifications.
Also, get a copy of your credit report and monitor it during and after the divorce. That way, you can catch mistakes or unauthorized activity quickly.
Apart from that, if you are interested to know about “Reasons Why You Might Need to Engage with a Family Lawyer” then visit our “Family Law” category.
