When establishing Paternity and/or Legal Decision-Making
(custody) and the parties agree, they can obtain a final court order through a
stipulated order.
Step 1: Initiating the Case
All cases
start the same by initiating the action. The initial documents are prepared,
reviewed, revised and signed by the Petitioner, the person initiating the case,
and filed with the Court. The Petitioner will either pay the required filing
fee, or file an application to defer or waive the filing fee, at the time of
filing the initial documents.
Step 2: Service
The
next step is to serve the documents filed with the Court. Service is
accomplished by one of the following methods:
Process
Server
Acceptance
of Service
Certified
Mail and an Affidavit of Service by Certified Mail
Publication
(used as a last resort when you cannot locate the other party for
service)
Step 3: Parenting Class
A
parenting class is required to be taken in accordance with the Order and Notice
to Attend Parent Information Program Class filed with the initial case documents
within 45 days from the date the Respondent is served with, or accepts service,
of the Petition.
Step 4: Parties Review and Sign the Agreement Documents
The parties will review, revise and sign the required documents. Respondent's filing fee is paid or an application to defer or waive the filing fee is filed with the court.
Step 5: Final Agreement Documents
The final documents are submitted to the court with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for each party. Once the Court signs and files the documents, a set is mailed from the Court to each party.
Step 5: Final Agreement Documents
The final documents are submitted to the court with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for each party. Once the Court signs and files the documents, a set is mailed from the Court to each party.
The
information provided is based on Arizona family court procedures. This
information is strictly informational and not legal advice. If legal advice is
required, please consult with an attorney. Arizona Legal Document Services,
L.L.C. has references available for family law attorneys.
You may contact us at 480-307-9306 or
602-595-7478 or visit our website arizonalegaldocs.com. We are located at the Court Center, 1837 S. Mesa Dr., C100, Mesa, Arizona 85210 and at 2916 N. 7th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85013.
