Short answer: In Arizona, an uncontested divorce is almost always faster than a contested one. If both spouses agree on all issues, you can finalize in as little as 60 days. A contested divorce may take six months to a year or longer, depending on court schedules and disagreements.
Key takeaways
- Uncontested divorces can finalize in about 60 to 90 days in Arizona.
- Contested divorces average six months to a year or more.
- The 60-day waiting period applies to all divorces with children.
- Agreement on all issues speeds up the process significantly.
- Mediation can help avoid a full-blown contested divorce.
- Court delays and complex disputes add months to contested cases.
What you will find here
- What Counts as an Uncontested Divorce in Arizona?
- What Is a Contested Divorce in Arizona?
- How Long Does an Uncontested Divorce Take in Arizona?
- How Long Does a Contested Divorce Take in Arizona?
- What Slows Down a Contested Divorce?
- How to Speed Up Your Arizona Divorce
- Comparing the Timelines at a Glance
- What If You Can’t Agree?
- Final Thoughts on Speed
If you’re wondering whether a contested or uncontested divorce in Arizona is faster, the answer is clear: uncontested divorces move much quicker. In Arizona, you can finalize an uncontested divorce in about 60 to 90 days, while a contested divorce often takes six months to a year or longer. But speed isn’t the only thing to think about. Let me walk you through the key differences, the timelines, and what can speed up or slow down your case.
What Counts as an Uncontested Divorce in Arizona?
An uncontested divorce doesn’t necessarily mean you and your spouse get along perfectly. It means you agree on all the major issues: property division, debt allocation, spousal maintenance, child custody, and child support. You don’t need a judge to decide anything.
In Arizona, you can file an uncontested divorce if both spouses sign a settlement agreement or if one spouse doesn’t respond to the petition within the required time. If the other spouse never files a response, the court can enter a default judgment. That still counts as uncontested.
For many couples, the fastest path is a “do-it-yourself” divorce or working with a mediator to reach an agreement before filing. Once everything is signed, the court mainly checks paperwork and finalizes the decree.
What Is a Contested Divorce in Arizona?
A contested divorce happens when you and your spouse cannot agree on one or more key issues. It could be about child custody, property division, or whether spousal maintenance is fair. When you can’t agree, the court has to step in and make decisions for you.
This process involves filing a petition, serving papers, and then going through discovery, which is where both sides exchange financial documents and other evidence. If you still can’t settle, you’ll go to trial, and a judge makes the final call.
Contested divorces are more expensive and take much longer because of all the moving parts. They also tend to stir up more emotional stress, which can make negotiations even harder.
How Long Does an Uncontested Divorce Take in Arizona?
Arizona law requires a 60-day waiting period after the respondent is served with the divorce papers, but that’s only if there are minor children involved. If you have no children, the waiting period is 60 days from the date of service, same thing. So the absolute minimum is about 60 days.
In practice, uncontested divorces usually take between 60 and 90 days from filing to finalization. The exact time depends on how quickly you file all the required documents and whether the court has any calendar delays. If both spouses already have a signed agreement and you file everything correctly, some courts can finalize in just over two months.
One thing to remember: the 60-day waiting period doesn’t start until the spouse is officially served. If your spouse avoids service, that can add weeks or even months to the timeline.
How Long Does a Contested Divorce Take in Arizona?
There’s no fixed timeline for contested divorces, but most take at least six months. Many take a year or more. The biggest factors are the number of disputed issues, how many court hearings are needed, and the specific court’s backlog.
If you have disputes over complex assets, business valuations, or custody arrangements, expect the process to stretch out. Discovery alone can take months as both sides gather documents and maybe depose witnesses. Pretrial hearings, settlement conferences, and ultimately a trial all add to the clock.
Some contested cases settle before trial, which shortens things considerably. But if you do go to trial, the trial date might be set months in advance, and the judge’s schedule can push it back even further.
What Slows Down a Contested Divorce?
Several things can drag a contested divorce out. Disagreements over parenting time often become the most emotional and time-consuming battles. Courts want to hear evidence about what’s in the child’s best interests, which means more hearings and more reports.
Financial disputes are another slowdown. Splitting retirement accounts, valuing a business, or determining spousal support requires expert appraisals and extensive paperwork. Each new document request can spark a legal back-and-forth.
Also, if either spouse has a lawyer who files lots of motions, the case can get bogged down in procedural delays. That’s why many contested cases end up in settlement negotiations or mediation before ever reaching trial.
How to Speed Up Your Arizona Divorce
If you want the fastest divorce possible, aim for an uncontested one. That means being willing to compromise and communicate with your spouse. Many couples use mediation to work out a settlement before filing, which can save months and thousands in legal fees.
If you’re already in a contested divorce, you can still speed things up by cooperating with discovery requests and avoiding unnecessary motions. You can also propose a settlement at any point. The court encourages parties to settle, and many judges will order settlement conferences.
For a step-by-step look at what happens in any Arizona court case, check out our guide to the Arizona court process. It covers the stages you can expect from filing through trial, which applies to divorce cases as well.
Comparing the Timelines at a Glance
| Factor | Uncontested | Contested |
|---|---|---|
| Average time to finalize | 60–90 days | 6 months to 1+ years |
| Court involvement | Minimal | Extensive |
| Attorney fees | Lower | Higher |
| Emotional stress | Lower | Higher |
| Control over outcome | You and spouse decide | Judge decides |
This table shows the typical differences, but your situation might vary. For example, an uncontested divorce can still take longer if the court is busy or if paperwork has errors. A contested divorce might finalize faster if you settle early.
What If You Can’t Agree?
If you and your spouse simply can’t agree on anything, a contested divorce may be unavoidable. That doesn’t mean you have to go through weeks of trial. You can still negotiate at any point, and many couples reach a settlement during the process.
If you need legal help, an attorney can guide you through the contested process, protect your rights, and push for a resolution. But if you’re thinking about a personal injury case alongside your divorce, those are separate matters. You can read about filing a personal injury claim in Mesa if that applies to you.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to get divorced quickly—it’s to get a result that works for your future. That might mean taking a little longer to get it right.
Final Thoughts on Speed
In Arizona, the speed of your divorce comes down to one core question: can you and your spouse agree on the important issues? If yes, an uncontested divorce will almost always be faster. If no, you’re looking at a longer process with more court involvement.
Before you file, take a hard look at what you’re fighting over. Sometimes, compromise can save you months of stress and thousands in attorney fees. If you need to understand how the court system works, our Mesa personal injury claim guide covers similar court procedures that apply to civil cases.
Whatever you decide, know that you can always change course. Even in a contested divorce, you can settle at any time. The faster you find common ground, the faster you’ll have your decree in hand.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum time to get a divorce in Arizona?
The minimum time is 60 days from the date the spouse is served with divorce papers, whether you have children or not. In practice, uncontested divorces often take 60 to 90 days because you also need to file all required documents and wait for the court to process your decree.
Do I need to appear in court for an uncontested divorce in Arizona?
Not always. Many Arizona courts allow uncontested divorces to be finalized without a hearing, especially if you submit a signed settlement agreement and all necessary paperwork. However, some courts may require a brief hearing, so check with your local court or an attorney.
Can a contested divorce be sped up in Arizona?
Yes, to some extent. You can speed things up by cooperating with discovery, avoiding unnecessary motions, and being open to settlement. If both parties agree to mediate or negotiate, you might settle before trial. Court delays can still add time, but your cooperation can reduce months.
What issues can make a divorce contested in Arizona?
Common contested issues include child custody and parenting time, child support amounts, spousal maintenance, property division, and division of debts. Any disagreement that you can’t resolve on your own can turn a divorce into a contested one.
How much more expensive is a contested divorce than an uncontested one in Arizona?
Contested divorces are significantly more expensive because they involve more attorney time, court fees, expert witnesses, and potentially multiple hearings. Uncontested divorces can cost under a few thousand dollars, while contested ones can easily reach tens of thousands depending on complexity.