Modern Law

About Modern Law

Family law attorney in Mesa, Arizona

Going through a divorce or other family law issue is no walk in the park. To begin, let us examine the Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure, which govern all procedural rules in Family Court. These rules incorporate elements from the rules of evidence, the Rules of Civil Procedure, and the rules of juvenile court procedure. The goal was to create a less adversarial process that would encourage mediation and problem-solving rather than litigation. Family law rules recognize that a divorce decree is rarely the end of the story.

To learn more or to start the divorce process, contact a Mesa Divorce Attorney today by scheduling a consultation.

The Petition

Every divorce in Arizona begins with the filing of a Petition in Family Court. The first step in the Arizona divorce process will be either filing or responding to the petition, so we will begin with these initial filings in Family Court.

The rules took effect on January 1, 2006, and they govern the entire family court system. The rules are classified into the following broad categories:

• General Administration–Rules 1–22
• Pleadings and Motions–Rules 23–35
• Parties–Rules 36–39
• Service of Process–Rules 40–43
• Default Decrees, Consent Decrees & Dismissals–Rules 44–46
• Temporary Orders–Rules 47 and 48
• Disclosure and Discovery–Rules 49–65
• Settlement and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)–Rules 66–75
• Pretrial and Trial Procedures–Rules 76 and 77
• Judgments and Decrees–Rules 78–90
• Post-Judgment Proceedings–Rule 91
• Civil Contempt and Arrest Warrants–Rules 92–94
• Other Family Law Services and Resources; Domestic Violence Benchbooks–Rules 95 and 96
• Family Law Forms–Rule 97