How is Child Custody Determined in Arizona?

Determining Child Custody in Arizona

During a divorce, a couple will have to agree on many difficult issues. Out of all the decisions which are involved in a divorce, perhaps the most difficult is in regards to child custody. You need to know the specifics of how child custody is determined in Arizona.

How is Child Custody Determined in Arizona?

Although both parents want what is best for their children, agreeing with what this exactly looks like can be hard. The State of Arizona has rules and guidelines in place to help parents be able to work through these issues and seek to find a solution that is in the best interests of the child.

If the case has to be heard in family court, the judge will attempt to make his or her decision based on what is best for the child. The judge will hear from both parents and take into account their wishes in the matter.

If the child is relocating, the judge will also take into consideration their ability to adjust to new living arrangements. If one of the parents has a history of domestic violence or substance abuse, this could also have a bearing on who receives custody.

How is Custody Determined in Arizona | Forms of Child Custody in Arizona

In Arizona, parents may be granted joint custody or one parent may be awarded sole custody. Joint legal custody means that both parents have the right to be involved in the raising of the child, including education, healthcare, religion, etc. Joint physical custody means that the child will spend an equal amount of time in both parents’ homes.

Sole legal custody and physical custody means that only one parent has the right to make decisions regarding the children or that the children only live with one parent.

Chris Hildebrand

Chris Hildebrand wrote this article about child custody in Arizona to ensure everyone has access to information about child custody laws in Arizona. Chris is a family law attorney at Hildebrand Law, PC. He has over 24 years of Arizona family law experience and has received multiple awards, including US News and World Report “Top Arizona Divorce Attorneys”, Phoenix Magazine “Top Divorce Law Firms”, and Arizona Foothills Magazine “Best of the Valley” award. He believes the policies and procedures he uses to get his clients through a child custody case should all be guided by the principles of honesty, integrity, and actually caring about what his clients are going through.