Tempe, Arizona Family Court Guide

Tempe sits in Maricopa County, Arizona, so family court is handled at the county level. How and where to file family court papers from Tempe: the right clerk of court, e-filing, filing fees, and self-help for custody, child support, and divorce.

The most time-sensitive thing for any Tempe parent is the response clock. In Arizona you generally have 20 days to file a written response after you are served (Ariz. R. Fam. L. P. 24.1(c)). 30 days if you were served outside Arizona. Miss that window and the other side can ask the Maricopa county court that serves Tempe to move ahead without you, so put the deadline on your calendar the day you are served and confirm the exact date with the clerk.

Child support for Tempe families is set under Arizona's Income Shares guideline. Both parents' incomes combined; obligation split proportionally by income share. The judge applies the same statewide formula whether you file in Tempe or anywhere else in Arizona, so an honest income picture and the official worksheet matter more than where in the state you live.

When Tempe parents split parenting time, Arizona courts call the schedule "Parenting Time", and that is the language to use in your paperwork. If safety is the issue, the order to ask the Maricopa county court that serves Tempe about is the Order of Protection.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file family court papers if I live in Tempe, Arizona?

Tempe sits in Maricopa County, Arizona. Family court matters for Tempe residents are filed with the clerk of court for the Maricopa county. Start with the Maricopa county court resources linked on this page to confirm the family division, courthouse location, hours, and accepted filing formats. FamilyCourtHelp.com is a self-help resource and not a law firm.

Can I e-file my Tempe family court case online?

Arizona uses AZTurboCourt for electronic court filings. Whether self-represented filers in Tempe can e-file depends on the court and case type, so confirm with the clerk before you submit. Where e-filing is not open to you, the clerk will accept paper filings in person or by mail.

How much does it cost to file for divorce or custody in Tempe?

Dissolution filing fee: ~$349. The exact amount is set by the clerk and changes over time, so verify the current schedule before filing. If you cannot afford the fee, Arizona courts let you ask for a fee waiver based on income.

Is there free self-help for self-represented parents near Tempe?

Yes. Arizona maintains a statewide self-help resource for people without a lawyer, and many clerks run a local self-help center too. Use those official resources for forms and procedure, and use FamilyCourtHelp.com to organize your case, draft documents, and prepare. This page is educational and not legal advice.

Which county court covers Tempe?

Tempe is served by the Maricopa county court in Arizona. Divorce, custody, child support, and parenting-plan cases for Tempe residents are heard in that court's family division.

How long do I have to respond to a family court case in Tempe, Arizona?

In Arizona you generally have 20 days to file a written response after you are served (Ariz. R. Fam. L. P. 24.1(c)). 30 days if you were served outside Arizona. The summons you were served lists your own deadline, and service method or case type can change it, so confirm the exact date with the clerk that serves Tempe before you rely on it.

How is child support calculated for Tempe families?

Arizona uses the Income Shares model. Both parents' incomes combined; obligation split proportionally by income share. Run the numbers on the Arizona child-support worksheet for an estimate; the judge sets the final amount and can adjust it for the facts of your case.

What is a restraining order called in Arizona?

In Arizona it is generally called a Order of Protection. You request it through the same court system that serves Tempe. If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911 first, then ask the clerk how to file for emergency protection the same day.