Legal Decision-Making & Parenting Time in Arizona

In Arizona, the word "custody" is not used in the law anymore. Instead, the courts talk about two separate things: legal decision-making and parenting time. Understanding the difference is one of the most important first steps for any parent facing a family law case.

Legal decision-making is the right to make major, non-emergency choices for your child — things like education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. The court can award this to one parent ("sole") or to both parents together ("joint"). Joint legal decision-making is common, but it is not automatic. The judge looks at what is best for the child, considering factors like each parent's relationship with the child, mental and physical health, and whether the parents can cooperate.

Parenting time is the actual schedule of when your child is with each parent. Arizona strongly favors meaningful, frequent, and continuing contact with both parents, as long as it is safe and in the child's best interests. There is no one-size-fits-all schedule. A parenting plan for a toddler looks very different from one for a teenager, and a family across the street from each other needs a different plan than one spread across the state.

When parents agree, the court will almost always approve a reasonable parenting plan. When they do not, the court may order mediation to help them find common ground. If agreement still is not possible, a judge will decide based on the child's best interests — and Arizona law lists specific factors the judge must weigh, from the child's own wishes (if old enough) to any history of domestic violence or substance abuse.

We know nothing matters more to you than your children. We also know that fights over children can be the most painful and expensive part of a case. Our approach is to focus early and clearly on a workable, child-centered plan. We help you think through the practical details — holidays, transportation, communication, transitions — so the plan actually works on a Tuesday night, not just on paper.

If you are worried about your children, please do not wait. The earlier you understand your rights and options, the better positioned you are to protect what matters most. We will sit down with you, hear your story, and give you honest guidance about what is realistic and what is not.