No-Fault Divorce in Arizona

Arizona is a No-Fault Divorce State

Unlike some states, Arizona is a no-fault divorce state. You do not have to prove grounds to file for divorce other than the marriage is irretrievably broken. In some states, you are required to prove your wife or husband did something to justify a divorce.

Stated differently, your spouse would have had to be at fault as grounds to file a divorce to end your marriage. He or she may have had an adulterous affair, have been abusive, or be incarcerated for committing a serious crime. These requirements made it more difficult to get a divorce and increased the cost of the divorce as you would have to prove your spouse committed an act that justified the divorce. Arizona, on the other hand, is a no-fault divorce state.

In Arizona, you do not need to prove the other spouse did anything to justify a divorce. All you have to establish as grounds to file for divorce is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. This is easily accomplished by one spouse testifying that he or she believes the marriage is irretrievably broken.

This is true even if the other spouse testifies the marriage is not irretrievably broken. However, either spouse may request the court to order the spouses to attend mandatory marriage counseling to attempt to save the marriage.

U.S. News and World Report Votes Hildebrand Law, PC Best Law Firms for 2020 2021 2022 2023

Although Arizona is a no-fault state when it comes to having to prove grounds to file to dissolve a marriage that does not mean fault does not play a role in a divorce. There are many issues that are still relevant in an Arizona divorce case, particularly those involving children including:

Infidelity and waste claims;
Abuse of alcohol;
Abuse of drugs;
Mental health issues;
Domestic violence;
Child abuse;

The Affect of Infidelity and Waste Claims on a No-Fault Divorce

If the divorce is being filed because one of the spouses was having an affair, grounds for a waste claim may exist in the divorce. Each spouse owes a duty to the other spouse to manage their income and assets in a manner that benefits the community.

If a spouse is spending community money on an affair, those monies undoubtedly did not benefit the community and were, therefore, a waste of community funds. Your spouse may be ordered to reimburse the community for those funds spent on an affair.

The Affect of the Abuse of Alcohol in a No-Fault Divorce

Both spouses are presumed by law to be fit parents. However, that presumption can be overcome if you can prove a spouse is an alcoholic or has an addiction to drugs even in a no-fault divorce state. Drinking alcohol to excess or being under the influence of illegal drugs can seriously impact a parent’s ability to properly care for a child.

It could also constitute neglect by the other spouse if he or she were to knowingly allow someone who is intoxicated or high to care for his or her children.

A person who is an alcoholic or is addicted to drugs can be ordered to abstain from the consumption of alcohol and drugs during his or her visits with the children. That person could also be ordered to participate in random drug or alcohol testing and could, in certain situations, could be ordered to blow into a portable breath testing device at certain intervals of his or her parenting time; which readings are then uploaded to enable the other parent to monitor the situation.

Of course, the best way to resolve the issue is for the other parent to abstain from drinking alcohol or illegal drugs altogether. In this case, the issue of the consumption of alcohol or abuse of drugs can be easily resolved.

The Effect of Mental Health Issues in a No-Fault Divorce

Mental health issues are rampant in our society, but not all mental health issues materially affect a parent’s ability to care for his or her own children. Issues such as anxiety, mild depression, and even some personality disorders affect a parent, but not affect some parents to the extent that he or she is not capable of providing for the basic needs of his or her child.

Despite that fact, it would certainly be an issue the court may consider when determining how much parenting time that parent will receive, as well as the court’s orders pertaining to legal decision making for the child.

The Affect of Domestic Violence in a No-Fault Divorce

Domestic violence can have a major impact on divorce in Arizona, even though Arizona is a no-fault divorce state, and, most likely, will be grounds for the abused parent receiving sole legal custody of a child. Children witnessing domestic violence are negatively affected in many ways, both short term and long term.

Whenever a spouse abuses his or her spouse, there is also a concern that the children may be exposed to abuse when the protective parent is not around to ensure they are safe. A court should take the existence of domestic violence seriously to protect both the spouse and the innocent children safe. A spouse who is being abused should seriously consider obtaining an Order of Protection.

The Affect of Child Abuse in a No-Fault Divorce

Child abuse and neglect can have a major impact on divorce in Arizona. The Arizona Court of Appeals in a child abuse case stated that the court must place paramount importance on protecting children when deciding issues of child custody in an Arizona divorce case.

A court is allowed to disallow parenting time to a person who has abused his or her children or order that his or her parenting time be supervised to protect the child. Often, counselors are involved who provide evidence to the court as to whether contact between the abusive parent and the child will be beneficial or harmful to the child.

What are the differences between a Fault and No-Fault Divorce in Arizona

The basic difference between the two types of divorce is the reason that leads to divorce. A fault divorce requires the one filing for divorce to assert that the other spouse is to be blamed for the divorce. It requires proof of responsibility for the ruination of the marriage on either of the spouses.

On the other hand, a no-fault divorce, like those in Arizona, do not need anyone to be at fault for the failure of the marriage to obtain a divorce. There are a variety of laws in different states for the two types of divorce.

Fault divorces are considered in some states while the others consider both types of divorce. It would be better if you consult an experienced divorce attorney to get all the knowledge you need about the divorce laws of your state.

No-Fault Divorce

In a no-fault divorce, the wrongdoing of either of the two parties is not required to be proven. In this kind of divorce, the judge does not require a valid reason valid for the approval of a divorce. The reason should make it evident that the couple couldn’t get along well and the marriage is ruined to an irreversible extent.

Among the reasons for divorce, compatibility issues and perpetual failure of the marriage are the most common ones. If the other spouse objects a no-fault divorce, the court considers it as an irreconcilable difference. Therefore, a no-fault divorce petition cannot be objected too.

Although no-fault divorces are considered legitimate by all states, some states require the couple to be separated for a certain period of time before the divorce is filed by one of the spouses. The time period of separation required by some states may last up to a period of 2 years.

There are certain requirements of no-fault divorce. Most states do not require the presence of all of them. The requirements are:

Separation of the couple for a designated period of time
Differences that make the two of them incompatible with each other
Damage to the marital relationship that is irreconcilable

Fault Divorce

This type of divorce is not very common now and is not required in Arizona. Several states do not even recognize fault divorces anymore. To get a divorce on fault grounds, you would require more money because it’s expensive to prove fault and also the chances of approval are fewer than a no-fault divorce.

There are several possible grounds for a fault divorce. Some states do not consider all of these grounds. These include:

Involvement in adultery
Abandoning or deserting your spouse for a specified period of time
Being pregnant at the time of marriage without knowledge of your husband
Physical, mental, emotional abuse or harsh behavior
Imprisoning your spouse for a specified period of time (the time period may vary depending upon your state’s laws)
Being mentally ill gives your spouse the right to file for divorce in some states
The inability of the husband to achieve erection or orgasm (impotence)
Drug dependence or alcoholism
Being infected with a sexually transmitted disease
Being married to someone who is closely related to you may serve as grounds for marriage annulment in some states

Some of the fault grounds, if proven, can grant you a strategic advantage. For example, if it is evident that your ex-spouse has been involved in adultery, he or she can be denied alimony.

If you have questions about what a no fault divorce is in Arizona, you should seriously consider contacting the attorneys at Hildebrand Law, PC. Our Arizona divorce and family law attorneys have decades of combined experience successfully representing clients in divorce and family law cases.

Our family law firm has earned numerous awards such as US News and World Reports Best Arizona Family Law Firm, US News and World Report Best Divorce Attorneys, “Best of the Valley” by Arizona Foothills readers, and “Best Arizona Divorce Law Firms” by North Scottsdale Magazine.

Call us today at (480)305-8300 or reach out to us through our appointment scheduling form to schedule your personalized consultation and turn your divorce or family law case around today.

Hildebrand Law, PC | Voted Best of Our Valley in Arizona Foothills Magazine.

Get Help Now