D-I-V-O-R-C-E

October 30, 2007 8:23 PM

What's the cheapest way to get a divorce in Arizona?

So, my husband and I have agreed, after 8 years of cohabitation and less than a year of marriage, that it's time to call it quits. This is a totally amicable situation, we still love each other, and I am 100% positive there will be no squabbling over anything. In light of this, it seems ludicrous to waste money we don't really have on an attorney.

Here are the basic facts:

* We are both Arizona residents.
* We were married in Nevada. It turns out what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas... and sometimes it's legally binding ;)
* We have no children.
* We have no property, aside from a 10 year old beat up VW that we both agree belongs to me, and will be re-titled in my name only.
* Our finances have always remained separate, and we have no jointly accrued outstanding debt.
* I'm not sure if it matters or not, but I will be moving to California at the end of the year- he'll be staying here. With the moving chaos, we've decided to put off any divorce proceedings until after I'm settled.

The Maricopa County Superior Court's website has all of the proper paperwork available for download, but contains very little useful information about the process for people in our circumstances (non-childed and without property).

What is the most efficient and cost-effective method for us to do this? Should we file now while I'm still in-state, or does it matter?

posted by MiaWallace to law & government (6 comments total)

Buy a book on DIY divorce, follow the forms and when you need help ask the court clerk. As long as you are not in dispute this is simple stuff. If one of you hires a lawyer, the other should too, that is a sign of dispute. You will not hire a lawyer together, as any lawyer who would agree to that is not worth hiring.

Additionally, you might look for clinics, especially at law schools. Many are directed at poor people and may not directly help as your lawyer, but may have helpful information etc. If you do decide to use lawyers, before you go, work out a property distribution. It can change, but emotionally, doing this while you are trying to still be friendly makes a big difference.

This all assumes that it is as amicable as you say. If not, lawyer up to prevent getting screwed.
posted by caddis at 9:24 PM on October 30, 2007

You can hire a lawyer together -- and I would recommend it. In this context it's called a mediator. They will know the legalities involved in your locality, will prepare paperwork, but will not represent either of you. You'd go to court representing yourselves for the actual appearance.

(IANAL, but IDHAM)

I did hire a mediator
posted by devbrain at 9:54 PM on October 30, 2007

I just recently divorced in Alaska with no lawyers involved. We had no children or property, weren't fighting over any possessions. There were different forms online as well, but they were divided into sections like "no kids no property" and "with children under 18".

We filled out a dissolution form stating how we divided things and that we were both fine with all of that and then filed it with the court for a one-time fee (I think it was around $200? But I don't know because he paid it). When the hearing was scheduled, he was there in person but I, 300 miles away, was there via teleconference.

The DIY books are helpful, and my state has a Family Law Self-Help Center where I could ask questions. Your state might have the same, so look into it.
posted by rhapsodie at 10:45 PM on October 30, 2007

One important point - do it before you leave for California. Changing your domicile to another state, especially a community property state, will unnecessarily complicate things.

You may want to start here.
posted by megatherium at 4:40 AM on October 31, 2007

There's legalzoom.com. I've never used this site (and don't know anyone who has) so I can't comment on the quality of it, but it certainly seems inexpensive. According to a radio commercial of theirs I've heard, you get a discount (10%?) by typing "vandals" into the referral code box.
posted by kitty teeth at 7:36 AM on October 31, 2007

Yeah... you can do it yourself in AZ, and it's not that bad and the paperwork, not too bad once you just work through it systematically. I'd recommend hiring a lawyer for document review at an hourly rate, just to kinda run through stuff, make sure you understand...
posted by ph00dz at 8:51 AM on October 31, 2007