The Superior Court of Arizona in Pinal County’s Family Court Division has jurisdiction over proceedings involving family matters as governed by Title 25 of the Arizona Revised Statutes and the Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure. Specifically, the court hears all matters related to petitions for divorce, custody, paternity and child support. The Family Court does not hear matters related to juvenile delinquency, dependency or Integrated Family Court issues cases. These cases are the jurisdiction of Juvenile Court Services. Four Superior Court Judges and a Family Law Commissioner are currently assigned Family Court duties. The categories to the left provide information about Family Court and the forms necessary to begin the Family Court process.

Divorce Process

There are several steps required to start a divorce.

1. Complete a Petition for Dissolution/required documents.
2. File the Petition for Dissolution/required documents with the Pinal County Clerk of Court.
3. Serve the Petition for Dissolution/required documents on the other party.
4. Wait for a Response to be filed by the other party.
5. Prepare for default judgment, submit a consent decree or prepare for trial.

Default Proceeding

Your case may proceed by default if no response was filed. You may request a Default Hearing online.
Submit your request here.

Consent Decree

You may be able to submit a Consent Decree. if you and the other party agree on everything. The Consent Decree must be signed by both parties in front of a Notary.

Trial

You will need a Trial if you do not agree on the issues. You must ask the Court to set a Trial in your case. You and the other party will need to prepare for the Trial. If you decide to represent yourself, you must follow the Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure.

Emergency Court Order

If your child has been harmed by the other parent or is in immediate danger of harm in the care of the other parent, you have several options available to protect the child.