Quick answer: Arizona requires that one spouse was domiciled in the state, or stationed here in the armed forces, for 90 days before filing. The court may not hold a hearing or trial on a dissolution until 60 days after service or acceptance of process, and it must find the marriage irretrievably broken.
This Arizona divorce timeline calculator applies A.R.S. 25-312 and 25-329. Enter the dates you know: it shows the earliest legal dates for filing and for a hearing or trial, nothing more. How long a real case takes depends on the court and on whether the spouses agree.
Arizona divorce timeline rules at a glance
| Rule | What Arizona says |
|---|---|
| Residence | One party domiciled in Arizona, or stationed there as a member of the armed forces, with the domicile or military presence maintained for 90 days before filing (A.R.S. 25-312(A)(1)) |
| Waiting period | No hearing or trial on a dissolution until 60 days after service or acceptance of process (25-329) |
| Ground | The marriage is irretrievably broken; the only defense is that it is not (25-312(A)(3); 25-314(C)) |
| If one spouse denies it | The court holds a hearing and either finds or continues the matter up to 60 days (25-312(C)) |
| Parent education | The court orders parents of a minor child to complete an education program unless an exception applies (25-352) |
| Finality | A decree is final when entered, subject to appeal, and either party may remarry pending appeal (25-325) |
How does the Arizona divorce timeline work?
- Residence and where to file. See Arizona divorce residency and where to file.
- Agreement or dispute. See uncontested versus contested divorce in Arizona.
- Grounds. See the grounds for divorce in Arizona.
What does this divorce timeline calculator check?
The calculator adds 90 days to the date you or your spouse began living in Arizona and tells you whether your filing date is early. It adds 60 days to the date of service or acceptance and treats the next day as the first day a hearing or trial can be held. If you leave the service date blank, it assumes service on the filing date. It cannot say how long the court will take, or whether a continuance for conciliation will be ordered. Support and custody questions that arise during the case are covered by the Arizona alimony calculator and the Arizona parenting time calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the waiting period for divorce in Arizona?
The court cannot hold a hearing or trial on a dissolution until 60 days after the date of service or acceptance of process.
How long must I live in Arizona before filing for divorce?
One spouse must have been domiciled in Arizona, or stationed there in the armed forces, for 90 days before filing.
Can an Arizona divorce be granted faster than 60 days?
Not on the statute we read: the court may not consider an affidavit motion or hold a hearing or trial within the 60 days.
Does Arizona require a separation period before divorce?
No. The ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken, with no separation period for an ordinary marriage.
Does the calculator tell me how long my Arizona divorce will take?
No. It shows only the legal minimums; the real timeline depends on the court and on whether the spouses agree.