As a divorce lawyer in Phoenix, I created this guide for people who are considering handling the divorce process in Arizona alone. While it may seem like the most practical and money-saving choice for you right now, that will only be true after you successfully follow the right steps and avoid all the mistakes you’ll read about here.
Have you decided to handle the Arizona divorce process by yourself (a “do it yourself divorce”) without a family lawyer representing you in court? Arizona divorce laws can be complicated. This DIY divorce guide will help you get started. Find out the steps to take and pitfalls to avoid.
How to File for a Divorce Without a Lawyer in Arizona (Arizona Divorce Laws)
In Arizona, all divorce and family law cases fall under the Superior Court’s jurisdiction. That is where your case will be filed. A Family Law Judge will be assigned to conduct proceedings and enter a divorce decree in AZ. Here are the steps for filing a divorce in Arizona:
Steps to DIY Divorce in Arizona
Step 1. Meet the Arizona Residency Requirement
Can you satisfy the Arizona residency requirement? Only if a spouse resided in Arizona for at least 90 days can your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage be filed in this state. Is one of the parties a service member stationed at Luke AFB, Davis-Monthan AFB, Fort Huachuca, MCAS Yuma, or other base in Arizona? Don’t worry! A service member’s 90-day military presence in Arizona also qualifies.
Tip: Be patient. Not a 90-day resident yet? Spend the days or weeks getting your documents prepared.
Step 2. Work on Your Separation Agreement
Have you negotiated any agreements? The Separation Agreement (or a marital settlement agreement) contains all the spouses’ agreed terms of divorce. Agreements include property division, child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, and related marital concerns. Actual consequences for failing to follow the court’s orders should also be written into the separation agreement. See ARS 25-317 and Rule 69 of the Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure.
Absent objection, the judge will include the separation agreement in the divorce decree. Once signed by both parties and the judge, the agreement becomes legally binding. Before signing, consider hiring an attorney to review your separation agreement. He or she can pinpoint any troublesome language that needs fixing to avoid highly undesirable consequences.
Is litigation possible in DIY divorce? You have an uncontested divorce (often the easiest divorce option in Arizona) if you and your spouse are in agreement on all the legal issues. That is, you both want the divorce, have a parenting plan agreement, have a property settlement agreement, have a spousal support agreement, and so on. With an uncontested divorce in Arizona, litigation is not anticipated. However, if your spouse opposes you on an issue, then that issue is contested. A contested matter is litigated in court with the judge making the final decision.
Tips:
- Get it in writing. Only written agreements signed by both spouses will be legally binding. You cannot enforce a verbal agreement.
- Don’t expect special treatment. Representing yourself does not excuse you from having the legal knowledge required to handle the divorce yourself. Learn the family court system. Educate yourself on each proceeding. You have rights and so does your spouse. Always strive to make well-informed decisions (not emotional ones). And examine each issue from all angles before agreeing to settle.
- Don’t be pressured into signing papers. You protect your rights by learning what each document is for and what its legal terms mean. Never sign what you do not understand. In DIY divorce, only you can ensure the written agreement accurately represents the terms you accepted. Do not fall victim to high-pressure tactics. Do not rely on your spouse’s interpretation of the language either. Get your questions answered by an attorney before you sign the document, not after.
Step 3. Work on Your Parenting Plan Agreement
Do you know what goes into a parenting plan? Read the statute first –ARS 25-403.02. Parents should do their best to agree on a parenting plan. Try picturing everything that could happen in your child’s life (within reason), then make a plan proposing how you would deal with each of those situations. Be clear, concise, and thorough. If parents are unable to reach agreement regarding any aspect of their parenting plan, then the court steps in to decide for them. The judge may look at other factors that could improve your child’s “emotional and physical health,” too.
Tip: Never gloss over details. Don’t use generalized language like “parenting time is as agreed” or “parents to share holidays.” What about extracurricular activities, summer vacation schedules, and out-of-state travel? Every undefined term leaves room for interpretation and parental conflict.
Step 4. Obtain DIY Self-Service Forms
What documents will you need? Visit the Arizona Judicial Branch website to download official court forms – a petition for the dissolution of marriage – and instructions for your DIY divorce. The fillable forms are free, but there will be court filing fees. Couples with minor children use Dissolution of Marriage with Children forms. Be ready to make personal and financial disclosures regarding income, assets, and debts. This is part of the discovery process in every divorce.
Tip: Customize each form. Tailor any generic or fill-in-the-blank forms to fit your specific needs and circumstances. Use a marital settlement agreement form as an outline and make it your own. Details matter.
Step 5: List all Marital and Separate Property
Are you prepared to itemize and describe every marital asset and debt? In a divorce, community property is divided between the spouses. In Arizona, assets and debts acquired during the marriage are presumed to be community property unless proved otherwise. Each spouse owns an undivided one-half interest in the marital assets and is equally liable for marital debts. Separate property belongs to the owning spouse and is not divided in divorce. Proving an asset or debt is the separate property of a spouse requires evidence.
Protect your finances and financial future by placing accurate values on community assets and debts. Spouses may assign values to specific assets by agreement (the stated value). The party who surrenders all interest in a marital asset to the other spouse will receive half the stated value of the asset – a 50% community share – in cash or in kind. Valuations should be accurate, not guestimates. This may involve obtaining professional appraisals for valuable assets. If the parties do not agree on the value of something, for example the family business, then the value must be proven in court.
Tips:
- Take special care with the marital home. Be very specific about the future of the marital home, any refinancing to remove one spouse from the mortgage, and set deadlines.
- Identify separate property. A common mistake is not protecting separate property owned before the marriage. If your separate property is not identified as a non-marital asset or debt, then it could be included in the division of community property. Additionally, separate assets may have appreciated during the marriage with the increased value being characterized as marital property. There is also the possibility of commingling and transmutation of assets. Independent legal advice can help guide you through a complex property division.
- Take all property valuations seriously. A common mistake people make in DIY divorce is failing to assign true market values to their assets and debts. Be careful not to overvalue or undervalue what you have. Not valuing property accurately may result in a substantially unequal division of property. This can mean receiving less money, fewer assets, and less spousal support in the divorce.
- Do not estimate the value of a family business or professional practice. Whenever there is a professional practice, family business, or ownership interest in a business, the services of an expert business valuator is advised (typically a forensic accountant). Recognized valuation methods are used to accurately estimate business interests.
Step 6: List All Pensions, Retirement Plans, and Deferred Compensation
Do you have retirement assets? When funded during the marriage, a spouse’s deferred compensation is a community asset divisible in divorce. The divorce decree will establish the respective interests of you and your former spouse in each pension or retirement asset. However, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) from the court to the plan administrator is necessary to carry out that division after the divorce. Your 401k, military retired pay, pensions, and IRAs typically require QDROs.
Tip: You’re better off hiring a QDRO Attorney. Only use free online QDRO forms as examples. QDRO Attorneys are specialists who stay informed on the ever-changing rules, regulations, and statutes affecting the division of retirement plans and pensions. We strongly advise against drafting your own QDRO because of the high risk of being blocked from accessing the other party’s retirement funds.
Step 7: File Your Divorce Papers
Do you have everything ready? The divorce papers must be filed with the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the Petitioner lives at the time of filing. (You’re the Petitioner if you’re the one filing.) The venue is where the proceedings will take place, such as Maricopa County.
Tip: The court must have jurisdiction to make a child custody determination. Jurisdictional issues can arise over the child’s home state when one parent lives in Arizona while the child lives out-of-state with the other parent, such as Florida. Read about child custody jurisdiction and talk to an attorney about your specific circumstances.
Step 8: Complete Service of Process
How will you serve the other party? After filing with the Clerk of the Court, you must follow proper procedures for serving the divorce papers on your spouse. Service of process gives legal notice to the opposing party of papers filed in court that may affect that individual’s rights and interests. If service was improper, then the case should be dismissed.
Tips:
- You need proof of service. When you file the divorce petition with the Clerk of the Superior Court, the clerk stamps the divorce papers and adds the summons. These documents are served on your spouse using one of several delivery methods, including hand delivery by a Process Server. After service is complete, file the proof of service.
- Motions must also be served on the other party. In a pending case, each party may motion the court for orders. The documents and pleadings associated with your request must be served properly and within a reasonable amount of time to the opposing party. The court cannot issue orders on a motion until the opposing party is served. (An ex parte motion requesting an order of protection is an exception). Failing to properly serve the opposing party wastes time, effort, and money.
Step 9: Take the Parent Education Class
Have you taken a Parent Education Class? In a divorce with minor children, both parents must take a Parent Education Class.
Tip: File your certificate of completion. You will need to take the class from a court-approved provider and file your certificate of completion with the court.
Step 10: Know How to Motion for Court Orders
How will you ask for what you want? To get the court to enter orders, you must make a formal request by motion. The judge rules on each motion. Motions are the formal written requests a party makes and files with the court along with a proposed order for the judge to sign.
Tips:
- Follow court rules for family law proceedings. A common mistake is waiting for your day in court to explain everything to the judge. The court will not hear testimony on an issue not properly brought before it. To avoid delay and to ensure the proceedings are fair, follow the Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure for proper pleading – that is, how to bring an issue before the judge.
- Anticipate using these common motions. Every motion has a specified purpose and desired result, such as:
- Motion for Temporary Orders: Requests the court order pre-trial interim orders for child custody and child support, spousal maintenance, debt payment, and the like.
- Motion for Mediation: Requests the court order mediation of custody, access, and parenting time disputes with a Mediator.
- Motion for Parenting Conference: Requests the court order a parenting conference with a court-appointed conciliator.
- Motion for Child Custody Evaluation: Requests the court order an evaluation by a Child Custody Evaluator (typically a mental health professional).
- Prepare for the child custody evaluation. The court-appointed custody evaluator’s report will be very influential with the court. Being caught unprepared for the evaluator’s interview could weaken your position on custody. You could hire your own independent child custody evaluator in a battle of the experts, but the cost may be prohibitive.
Step 11: Calendar Divorce Court Proceedings and Deadlines
Don’t miss deadlines. Use a monthly calendar just for keeping track of court deadlines. Because all court cases are time-sensitive, failing to meet a deadline could negatively impact your case. Look for three key dates with every proceeding – the date one party may act, the date the other may respond, and the date the court makes its decision. Missing the date set to provide information, or file, or respond, or appear in court could result in the judge making decisions without your input. Without ever hearing your side, the judge may issue orders for child support, spousal maintenance payments, custody, property division, and payment of the other party’s attorneys’ fees.
Tip: Keep your calendar current. Routinely check the court’s calendar for rescheduled proceedings and deadlines. Judges with heavy caseloads are extremely busy. Expect delays.
Are you struggling with domestic violence?
Now, there is one more thing we need to talk about.
In DIY divorce, victims of abuse may be bullied, intimidated, and manipulated into giving up marital and parental rights. There is relief available to victims of domestic violence through the court. If this is your situation, then get an independent legal opinion from an experienced attorney so you know your legal rights in the divorce.
Filing a DIY divorce could save on family resources when parties have reasonably equal bargaining power. But you have to do your homework to make a DIY divorce work. If your divorce will involve a complex property division, challenging child custody determination, covenant marriage, or other complication, then have an experienced family law attorney in your corner. We can answer your questions, review your documents, and help you through this.
Words of Caution About DIY Divorces in Arizona
Arizona Divorce Laws Are Complex
Here are some tips to help you avoid some of the common mistakes people make in their DIY divorce when dealing with Arizona divorce laws.
Failing to avoid the following 12 mistakes most people make can…
- Cost you money in the long run if you lose rights to your assets or end up being responsible for debts that are not your own.
- Run you ragged by prolonging your separation with custody battles or other long delays due to mistakes made during the filing process.
- Deprive you of your rights to your property, income, and children when missed deadlines or failing to follow procedures correctly lead the court to make the decisions for you…even when it’s not what you wanted.
There is a LOT to know about filing for divorce and this guide is only a small portion of what you MUST LEARN. That’s why you’ll see links to additional resources throughout the guide. Please take advantage of the other Arizona divorce materials and education on this site.
We look forward to partnering with you during this difficult time. Whether as a resource for education or as the attorney you choose to hire, we are committed to ensuring you protect and retain all the legal, financial, and familial rights that are now and should continue to be YOURS.
When you want a do-it-yourself divorce in Arizona, avoid these 12 mistakes:
- Mistake #1: Signing Documents Without Knowing What they mean
- Mistake #2: Assuming Fill-in-the-Blank Separation Agreements Meet Your Needs
- Mistake #3: Failing to Use Proper Court Procedures
- Mistake #4: Not Getting an Independent Legal Opinion
- Mistake #5: Failing to Prepare a Clear/Concise Parenting Plan
- Mistake #6: Being Unprepared for a Child Custody Evaluation
- Mistake #7: Missing Important Filing Deadlines
- Mistake #8: Improperly Serving Court Papers on the Other Party
- Mistake #9: Failing to Assign Proper Value to Your Property & Debts
- Mistake #10: Not Getting an Order for Life Insurance
- Mistake #11: Not Protecting Separate Property You Owned Before Your Marriage
- Mistake #12: Not Getting a Split of Retirement Benefits & Pensions
Mistake #1: Signing Documents Before Completely Understanding What They Mean
Consequence: You might sign away your rights without even knowing it!
Solution: Know precisely what you are about to sign before you sign it!
When you represent yourself, it is crucial that you completely understand every piece of paper presented to you in your divorce. Before you sign anything, you MUST know what the document is supposed to do, what the document really says (not just what someone tells you it says), and what will happen to you as a result.
With all the paperwork involved, you will be tempted to just skim over the words. READ EVERY DOCUMENT CAREFULLY! You may think that the document provides for one thing, but the way it is written may say something else entirely and have undesirable legal results.
You need to understand that everything you sign in your divorce becomes legally binding. You are expected to have full knowledge of everything that is written on every piece of paper. Everything you come to an agreement on must be put in writing. Verbal agreements are not legally binding. Get everything in writing! Then, read every paper you are asked to sign and make sure the agreement is written in a way that accurately represents what you have agreed to accept.
Caution! Be prepared for pressure tactics by the other people involved to get you to sign documents in a hurry. Remember, when emotions run high, it is very common for decisions to be made improperly and too quickly. Be thoughtful and always take the time you need to understand what you are about to sign. Do you agree with what the document says? How does it affect your legal rights? If you don’t agree, then DO NOT SIGN OFF until the changes you need made are completed.
Mistake #2: Assuming Fill-in-the-Blank Separation Agreements Meet Your Specific Needs
Consequence: Falling victim to unexpected financial consequences.
Solution: Use generic fill-in-the-blank separation agreements only as an outline. Carefully and clearly tailor your separation agreement to meet your needs and the needs of your children.
A well-written separation agreement will include every detail of your settlement with the other party. The way you agree to divide up your possessions and your debts, arrangements for child custody, payments for child support, and additional spousal maintenance payments should all be spelled out in the separation agreement.
The “one size fits all” generic forms are not specific enough to thoroughly protect everyone involved from hidden financial consequences in a divorce. And remember – once both parties have signed the agreement, both parties are legally obligated to follow everything written in it.
For example, what if your separation agreement leaves out specific language that would prevent one party from being forgiven from remaining debts in a future bankruptcy proceeding? There is a chance that bankruptcy could discharge the party from that obligation (forgive them of the debt) altogether. Very specific language should also be used for details concerning how to divide up ownership of the marital residence. If one party must refinance the home individually, so that they can remove the other person’s name from the mortgage, then specific deadlines need to be written into the separation agreement. Consequences for failing to follow the court’s orders need to be written into the separation agreement as well.
In other words, be very clear about what you need. Include all of the details.
Mistake #3: Failing to Use Proper Court Procedures to Write Requests of the Court
Consequence: Not getting want you want.
Solution: Rules are rules. Follow proper court procedures.
All too often, when you choose do-it-yourself divorce in Arizona, you are under the false belief that all you have to do is wait for your day in court to “tell it like it is” directly to the judge. To tell you the truth, that is not how the court system works! The family court will not listen to any evidence on an issue that was not properly brought before it.
You need to know all the rules about all the procedures that everyone involved is required to follow in court. The Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure are very clear about proper pleading – that is, how to bring an issue before the judge. The rules of the court are there, in part, to provide a fair and even playing field.
In order to be fair to both parties, someone representing themselves in a divorce should be expected to follow the same rules as an Arizona divorce attorney and present their requests in the proper form. If you fail to follow the rules when you make a request of the court (or “motion” the court) you can cause long delays and risk having your request thrown out or ignored.
Motions Used in Family Law Practice in Arizona
Motions are the formal written requests you (the movant) make and file with the court. In general, all motions must be properly served (delivered) on the other party so that he or she can respond. (Ex parte motions – motions granted for the benefit of one party only – are the exception and not the rule.)
Every motion has a specific purpose and a specific desired result. It is improper to ask the court for an order without filing a motion and proposed order. Neglecting to serve the motion on the other party along with the proposed order is also improper.
Here are some of the more routine motions involving children’s issues during a divorce in Arizona:
- Motion for Temporary Orders. Used to request that the court order pre-trial interim orders (temporary orders of the court while waiting for a hearing) custody and parenting time, child support, spousal maintenance, debt payment, and the like.
- Motion for Post-Decree Temporary Orders. Used to request that the court order temporary custody or parenting time following a previous custody determination.
- Motion for Mediation. Used to request that the court order mediation of child custody and access disputes.
- Motion for Custody Evaluation. Used to request that the court order an evaluation from a child custody evaluator.
- Motion for Parenting Conference. Used to request that the court order a parenting conference with a court-appointed provider.
- Motion for Reconsideration. Used to request that the court reconsider a ruling in the case.
If there is something that you or the other party wants the court to order, then look up the proper form of a motion for the precise request.
Mistake #4: Not Getting an Independent Legal Opinion – Especially If You Are a Victim of Domestic Violence
Consequence: Being manipulated into giving up your rights.
Solution: A family law attorney can be your most valuable asset in a divorce – seek an independent legal opinion about how to protect your legal rights.
As mentioned earlier, the court assumes and expects a person who represents themselves in a divorce to have all the legal knowledge and experience of a licensed attorney. Unfortunately, you may fall victim to physical, emotional, or verbal abuse by the other party. If you are a victim of abuse who has chosen to proceed through a divorce without an attorney in Arizona, you may face threats of violence, intimidation, and extreme pressure from the other party to get you to “agree” to their terms.
No matter what your gender, you need to be educated about your rights in the family law court system. Knowing your rights gives you a better opportunity to make well-informed decisions before you agree to settle the case. When you are being manipulated or threatened by an abusive spouse, you may not be fully aware of all the important factors in the divorce. Learn what your legal rights are and don’t let the other party intimidate or threaten you into making decisions you are not ready to make.
There is relief available to victims of domestic violence through the court. It is important for you to get an independent legal opinion from an attorney about your legal rights in the divorce – especially if you are the victim of domestic violence.
Mistake #5: Failing to Prepare a Clear and Concise Parenting Plan
Consequence: Not receiving the custody rights you had anticipated were yours.
Solution: Submit a well-devised parenting plan that is as specific as possible.
As a parent, when you seek joint custody of your child, the law requires you to submit a comprehensive, written parenting plan to the court. Just like the generic separation agreements, the “one-size-fits-all” forms for parenting plans are useful only as an outline. They are vague and use generic language such as “parenting time is as agreed upon” or “parents to share holidays.” These undefined terms leave too much room for interpretation. Not only that, but these generic forms don’t say anything about your child’s extracurricular activities, summer vacation schedules, out-of-state travel, and so on.
At a minimum under A.R.S. 25-403.02(A), Arizona requires that the following provisions be included in any parenting plan that the parties propose:
- Each parent’s rights and responsibilities for the personal care of the child and for decisions in areas such as education, health care, and religious training.
- A schedule of the physical residence of the child, including holidays and school vacations.
- A procedure by which proposed changes, disputes and alleged breaches may be mediated or resolved, which may include the use of conciliation services or private counseling.
- A procedure for periodic review of the plan’s terms by the parents.
- A statement that the parties understand that joint custody does not necessarily mean equal parenting time.
If you are not able to come to an agreement with the other party regarding any part of the plan, then the court will step in and decide for you. The family law judge may also look at other factors that could improve the child’s “emotional and physical health.”
You should try to picture everything that could possibly happen (within reason) in your child’s life and then plan how you propose dealing with each of those circumstances. By doing this, you will lessen the likelihood of the judge making the parenting decision for you.
Mistake #6: Being Unprepared for a Child Custody Evaluation
Consequence: Losing control of your child custody choices and/or spending THOU$AND$ on a child custody evaluation.
Solution: A custody evaluation is a vital part of any custody dispute. Gather the documents and evidence you need to support your position on child custody and be fully prepared for the evaluator’s interviews.
If child custody is an issue in your divorce case, either you or the other party may ask for an expert evaluation by a child custody evaluator, usually a psychologist. If you and the other party can’t come to an agreement on the legal or physical custody of your children, the court will most likely grant this motion.
The custody evaluation process takes several months and can cost thousands of dollars. The custody evaluator will interview you and the other parent in detail and observe how each of you interacts with your child. The evaluator will also interview other family members and review any records pertaining to your child. The evaluator’s report will be very detailed and include recommendations for custody, parenting time, and which parent is designated as the child’s primary residence. It is vital for you take the expert evaluation seriously. If your divorce goes to trial, the expert’s evaluation on your custody issues has tremendous influence with the family law judge.
In addition to the evaluation, Arizona’s “Parent Education Course” is mandatory in all cases in which the court is asked to determine matters of child custody, visitation, and child support. Furthermore, the court has discretion to order parental participation in the program in other cases, too, including a modification or enforcement of child support, custody or visitation.
Mistake #7: Missing Important Filing Deadlines
Consequence: The court may make important decisions for you—without your input—with which you must comply.
Solution: Always calendar and keep important dates and deadlines in your divorce.
Remember! You will be expected to meet the court’s deadlines in your divorce case just the same as if you were an attorney. Every ordinary court procedure has at least three important dates associated with it:
- The date one party may act
- The date the other may respond
- The date the court makes its decision
All court cases are time-sensitive. Your failure to meet any of these deadlines can create severely negative consequences such as having the family law judge make important decisions about your future and the future of your children without hearing your position on the matter. The judge may issue orders against you regarding:
- Child support
- Spousal maintenance payments (alimony)
- Child custody
- Property division
- Payment of the other party’s attorneys’ fees
Expect changes in scheduling and keep careful track of the court’s calendar. There will be periods of time when it seems like nothing is happening with your family law case. There will be delays, sometimes one right after the other. Judges are busy. They will have conflicts that require rescheduling, and so will the other attorney. But stay alert because, just when you think things are never going to get rolling, a series of proceedings will come up, one on top of another. The important thing is that you NEVER MISS THE DATES on which you are required to provide information, file, respond, or appear in court.
Mistake #8: Improperly Serving Court Papers on the Other Party
Consequence: Being unable to force compliance on your spouse because YOU didn’t serve the papers correctly.
Solution: “Service” is legal notice to the opposing party that papers have been filed in court which may affect that person’s rights and interests. Always follow proper procedures for serving papers on the other party.
When you file the petition for dissolution of marriage (the first paper you file in a divorce case – also know as the “divorce papers”) with the Superior Court Clerk, the summons and court papers must be served on the other party. This is referred to as “service of process” and it is essential that this be carried out properly – improper service means pretty much the same thing as no legal notice at all.
Once you have filed the divorce papers, you will be motioning the court for orders. The documents and pleadings (the legal rights you are claiming against the other person) associated with your request must be served properly and within a reasonable amount of time to the opposing party.
Depending on the issue being addressed, service may require a process server or require service by mail. The court cannot issue orders on your motion until the opposing party is served. If you fail to properly serve the opposing party, you have wasted your time, effort, and money.
Pay attention! Proper service is a necessary part of your case and it is vital that it be done properly.
Mistake #9: Failing to Assign Proper Value to Your Property and Debts
Consequence: Receiving LESS THAN YOUR FAIR SHARE of money, property and spousal maintenance than you have rights to receive.
Solution: In a divorce, all marital assets and debts must be equitably divided between you and the other party. A proper valuation of every asset is necessary for a fair and equal division.
The division of community property (property and profits received by a husband and wife during a marriage) has long-range consequences for both you and the other party. Placing accurate values on your marital assets and debts can help this division affect your financial future in a positive way.
You can assign accurate values on these debts and assets by agreement with the other party, but if you can’t come to an agreement, the asset’s value must be proven to the court.
Undervaluing an Asset. If an asset is undervalued, the spouse who surrenders all interest in the property will receive half the stated value of that asset, and not half of the true market value.
Assume, for example, that your Mercedes is actually worth $30,000, but is undervalued at $20,000. If you are the spouse who surrenders the car, you will get $10,000 – half of the stated value. The other party who keeps the car also gets half of the stated value, plus the benefit of the true market value (or $20,000 total.) Obviously, this is not a fair and equal division of assets.
Overvaluing an Asset. If an asset is overvalued and you keep the property, you will get half of the stated value. The other party will receive half the stated value, which is inflated and more than the actual value.
Assume that your Mercedes has a true market value of $30,000, but you overvalue it at $50,000, the other party will receive $25,000. You will end up paying the other party more than eighty percent of the true market value of the car! Be smart and consider getting a professional appraisal for any complex or valuable properties so that you can make sure you receive fair and equal division of your assets.
Business Valuation of a Commercial Enterprise. If you own your own business or have an ownership interest in a business, the enterprise may be a marital asset that is subject to equal division in the divorce. The value placed on this commercial asset can have a dramatic impact on the settlement of the divorce, division of assets and debts, and payment of spousal maintenance.
Because of the time and money involved in getting a professional appraisal on your commercial enterprises, you will be tempted to just speculate on the value of your business assets.
Beware! There is more to estimating the value of your business than just the price of the business itself. There may be serious debt and tax liability issues that must be brought to light and figured into the valuation as well. Use the expert services of a business valuator, typically a forensic accountant, to appraise your commercial enterprise. There are several approved valuation methods that may be used to accurately estimate your business interests. A qualified business evaluator will be able to choose the valuation method that works best for you.
Mistake #10: Neglecting to Ask for an Order for Life Insurance to Guarantee Support Payments
Consequence: Begin left without vital income if your ex-spouse dies prematurely.
Solution: The proceeds from life insurance can ensure that you continue to receive child support and spousal maintenance payments in the event the obligor (the person obligated to pay you) dies prematurely.
If the parent who is obligated to pay support should pass away, then the other parent could face a very serious financial crisis – the immediate end to child support and, quite often, an end to spousal support as well.
As part of the divorce settlement, you can request that the person required to pay support also be required to maintain a life insurance policy to ensure that payments continue even after tragedy strikes. If you are awarded spousal maintenance, the life insurance policy will name you as the irrevocable beneficiary (you get the benefits and no one can change it). For purposes of child support, the children are named as the irrevocable beneficiaries on the policy.
When the obligor is required to maintain life insurance for the benefit of the children or the former spouse (you), then any failure to maintain that coverage would violate the court’s order. If you receive support from your former spouse, you might worry that the policy will lapse or that the beneficiary will be changed without your knowledge or consent. If you have those concerns, and you want to ensure that the policy remains in effect for you or your children’s benefit, then consider arranging to pay the premiums yourself.
Mistake #11: Forgetting to Protect Separate Property You Owned Before Your Marriage
Consequence: Losing rights to what was once your separate property.
Solution: When an asset is designated as separate property belonging to one spouse, it will not be divided in a divorce. Gather evidence to prove your rights to your separate assets.
In Arizona, it is assumed that the assets and debts acquired during your marriage are community property, unless you can prove otherwise. You and your spouse each own an undivided one-half interest in those marital assets and you are equally liable for the marital debts. The community property must be divided when the marriage is dissolved. You may have separate property that belonged to you before you were married. However, if that separate property is never identified as a non-marital asset, then it could be included in the division of marital property.
Generally, property you owned before the marriage would not be considered a marital asset. But matters are seldom that simple when allocating assets in a divorce. How the property was maintained and taken care of during the marriage can make a huge change in the way the property is looked at during the divorce. Depending on the circumstances, what was once separate property may be included as community property through transmutation (to convert or transform the type of ownership).
And another thing …if you own a separate asset that has appreciated during the marriage, the increase in value could be considered community property. The laws controlling the way assets are divided up in a divorce can be very complicated. Think about getting independent legal advice on specific separate and community properties. That way you can avoid prematurely giving up an interest in any valuable asset.
Mistake #12: Not Asking for a Split of Retirement Benefits and Pensions
Consequence: Being BLOCKED from accessing funds that should be yours because you filed your own “QDRO” or didn’t file one at all.
Solution: Deferred compensation (payment of money withheld until a certain time) in the form of a qualified pension, 401k, or IRA, funded during the marriage, is a community asset divisible in divorce. The Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) from the court is necessary to carry out the split of retirement benefits and pensions. File one and file it properly.
There are a number of different accounts or pensions that may require a QDRO (the courts order to a plan administrator) to divide the account after a divorce is finalized, including:
- Retirement accounts
- Investment accounts
- Military retirement
- Pension/retirement investment accounts
The account or plan administrator can’t divide the pension between the two parties without a QDRO. It’s a really good idea for you to get the QDRO written up early on during the divorce proceedings and turn it in at the same time as the final decree for the court’s signature.
The QDRO may be included in your property settlement, incorporated into the court’s decree, or issued as a separate order. The divorce decree will establish the respective interests of you and your former spouse in each pension, but the QDRO is necessary to carry out the division.
The QDRO is a very detailed, legally specific document that should be drafted by a qualified legal expert practicing in this area of law. It is not a good idea to try to write up your own QDRO. We also strongly advise against using any free online QDRO forms for any other purpose except to use as an example. The cost of a mistake on your financial future is too high to risk the misuse of this complex instrument.
Attorneys who prepare QDROs are specialists – they stay informed about the constantly changing rules, regulations, and statutes affecting the division of retirement plans and pensions.
Conclusion
Doing a DIY divorce in Arizona may sound easy at first, but it quickly gets complicated. An experienced divorce attorney in Phoenix can guide you through the process.