Mesa Divorce Attorney

Family-Law-Only Representation for East Valley Dissolution Cases

In Arizona, divorce is legally called dissolution of marriage. It is a court process that ends the marriage and resolves property, debt, support, and parenting matters in one proceeding. At Edwards & Petersen | PLC, we’ve practiced exclusively in family law since 2013, representing Mesa and East Valley clients through every type of dissolution case, from straightforward uncontested divorces to high-conflict litigation. That singular focus means every hour our attorneys spend in court, in mediation, and advising clients is spent on family law.

Both of our lead attorneys have earned multi-year consecutive Rising Stars designations: Brian Petersen (2018–2022) and Joshua R. Edwards (2019–2023). Brian also holds a 10.0 Avvo Rating and the Avvo Client’s Choice Award. In 2025, the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys recognized us with its 10 Best for Client Satisfaction designation. Clients consistently describe us as knowledgeable, professional, and accessible, and say working with us provided peace of mind when they needed it most. We offer free in-person or telephonic consultations and are available 24/7 to take your call.

Call our Mesa divorce attorneys at (480) 418-5656 or Contact Us Online to request a *FREE initial consultation.

When Can I File for Divorce in Arizona?

Arizona requires that at least one spouse has been a state resident, or stationed there as a member of the armed forces, for at least 90 days before filing. Filing before that threshold is met can result in the court dismissing the case.

When children are involved, Arizona applies an additional requirement: any children must have lived in the state for at least six months before the court can exercise jurisdiction over custody and parenting time issues. These thresholds apply whether the divorce is contested or uncontested.

What Are Grounds for Divorce in Arizona?

Arizona is a no-fault divorce state, which means neither party is legally required to give a reason for ending the marriage. As long as one spouse claims the marriage is “irretrievably broken,” the court can proceed.

Arizona also recognizes covenant marriage, a distinct form of marriage that requires fault-based grounds for dissolution. If you entered a covenant marriage, the petitioner must establish at least one of the following:

• The other party has committed adultery.
• The other party has abandoned the marital home for at least 12 months prior to filing and will not return.
• The other party has committed a felony and been sentenced to death or imprisonment in any federal, state, county, or municipal correctional facility.
• The other party has physically or sexually abused the petitioner, a child, or a relative of either spouse permanently living in the marital home, or committed an act of domestic violence or emotional abuse.
• The other party regularly abuses drugs or alcohol.
• The spouses have been living apart continuously without reconciliation for at least two years prior to filing.
• The spouses have been living apart continuously without reconciliation for at least one year from the date a decree of legal separation was entered.
• Both spouses agree to the dissolution.

Although you have the right to represent yourself, the court expects full compliance with all applicable procedures and laws. Mistakes can cost you important rights and benefits, and neither the judge nor court staff can give you legal advice. Retaining a Mesa divorce attorney can help protect your interests from the start.

Ready to file? Already been served? Edwards & Petersen | PLC offers a *free initial consultation to potential new clients.

How to File for Divorce in Arizona

The petitioner files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage along with required supporting documents. Filing fees and required forms vary by county. For East Valley residents, divorce cases are handled through the Maricopa County Superior Court, with the Southeast Justice Center in Mesa serving as the primary family court facility for this area.

After filing, your spouse must be served with copies of the papers unless service is waived in writing and filed with the court. Service within Arizona gives the respondent 20 days to respond. Service outside Arizona extends that deadline to 30 days.

If your spouse doesn’t respond within the applicable window, you may apply for a default. Your spouse then has 10 days to respond before the court may grant the divorce on your terms. A default Decree of Dissolution may be obtained after a mandatory 60-day cooling-off period that begins on the date your spouse was first served. If both parties agree on all issues, a Consent Decree of Dissolution of Marriage may be signed by a judge. The Maricopa County Superior Court currently processes lodged consent decrees within 21 days under its standard procedure. Self-represented parties may also be required to participate in a mandatory Early Resolution Conference, conducted virtually, before proceeding to trial.

Obstacles That Can Arise During Your Divorce

If your spouse doesn’t agree to proceed, they can request a court-ordered reconciliation meeting, which may pause proceedings for up to 60 days. If both parties fail to reconcile and don’t request a postponement, the divorce moves forward.

Issues such as legal decision-making (child custody), parenting time, and spousal maintenance are common sticking points. When the parties can’t reach agreement, a judge decides, which means setting a trial. Contested cases can extend the process from several months to over a year, depending on court scheduling and the complexity of the issues involved.

How Long Does the Arizona Divorce Process Take?

The 60-day cooling-off period is the earliest a divorce can be finalized after service. Contested matters frequently take substantially longer. Once finalized, the Decree of Dissolution of Marriage resolves every aspect of the marriage:

• Ends the marriage
• Determines spousal maintenance, child custody, parenting time, and child support (if applicable)
• Divides assets and debts acquired during the marriage and confirms ownership of premarital property
• Assigns responsibility for debts incurred during the marriage
• Decides who is responsible for legal fees
• Restores a spouse’s former name upon request

How Is Property Divided in an Arizona Divorce?

Arizona is a community property state, meaning assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally subject to equal division. Under ARS 25-318, the court divides community property equitably, which doesn’t always mean a strict 50-50 split. The court weighs factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s needs, and the nature of the property.

Property owned before the marriage or acquired by gift or inheritance is generally classified as separate property and isn’t subject to division. That said, if separate property has been commingled with marital assets, or if both spouses contributed to its maintenance or increase in value, classification can become contested and may require careful legal analysis to protect your interest. Spouses can reach agreement on property division through negotiation or mediation. If they can’t, the court decides.

Property division can significantly affect your financial future. Contact us to discuss your rights.

Your Legal Options in an Arizona Divorce

Not every divorce follows the same path. The right approach depends on the level of conflict, the complexity of your marital estate, whether children are involved, and each party’s willingness to negotiate. Edwards & Petersen | PLC handles cases across the full range of dissolution options, including mediation, collaborative divorce, and litigation. Our team approach allows us to develop solutions tailored to your family’s circumstances.

During your divorce, several paths may be available:

• Uncontested divorce: When both spouses agree on all terms, the process can move more quickly and avoid the cost and delay of trial.
• Mediation: A voluntary, confidential process in which a neutral third party helps spouses reach a mutually acceptable agreement outside of court.
• Collaborative divorce: Both spouses work with their respective attorneys and, in some cases, financial and mental health professionals to resolve all issues without litigation.
• Contested divorce and litigation: When spouses can’t agree on one or more issues, the court decides. Our attorneys have the courtroom experience to represent you effectively if your case goes to trial.

Whether you’re entering mediation or preparing for trial, we can help you understand each option and identify the path that fits your situation.

Why Mesa Clients Choose Edwards & Petersen | PLC

Family law is all we do. Since 2013, our attorneys have focused their knowledge and courtroom experience entirely on dissolution of marriage, custody, support, and related matters. That exclusive focus means we aren’t dividing attention across practice areas, and it means we know the Maricopa County Superior Court, its local rules, and its judges.

Here’s what sets our firm apart:

• Nationally Recognized Attorneys: Brian Petersen earned the Rising Stars designation four consecutive years (2018–2022) and holds a 10.0 Avvo Rating and the Avvo Client’s Choice Award. Joshua R. Edwards earned the same recognition for five consecutive years (2019–2023). The firm was also named 10 Best for Client Satisfaction in 2025 by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys and among the Best Divorce Lawyers in Mesa by Expertise.com in 2020.
• Exclusive Family Law Practice: Every case we handle is a family law case. Our attorneys don’t split their practice across unrelated areas of law.
• Team Approach: When you hire us, you work with our entire team. That collaborative model helps us find solutions for complex or unusual circumstances that a single-attorney approach might miss.
• 24/7 Availability: You don’t have to wait for business hours. We’re available around the clock to take your call and discuss your case.
• Results-Driven Representation: We’re founded on honesty and integrity, and our track record reflects a consistent commitment to pursuing favorable outcomes in family court.
• Client-First Culture: Our clients describe us as knowledgeable, professional, and accessible, and say we provided peace of mind during one of the hardest times in their lives. We don’t treat clients like case numbers.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Mesa Divorce Lawyer

Whether you’re just beginning to consider divorce or you’ve already been served, the sooner you speak with a divorce lawyer, the better positioned you may be. We offer free in-person or telephonic consultations, and our 24/7 availability means you don’t have to wait for business hours to start that conversation.

Contact our Mesa divorce lawyers online or call (480) 418-5656 to request a free consultation today.