What This Statute Says
This is the on-switch. The conciliation court framework is available statewide but does not actually operate in any county until that county's superior court turns it on by rule or order.
The provisions of this article shall apply in every county where the superior court has by rule or order established a conciliation court. Such superior court shall thereafter have jurisdiction under the provisions of this article.
A.R.S. § 25-381.03When This Statute Comes Into Play
This section controls when:
- A party wants to file a petition for conciliation and needs to know whether the county has a conciliation court at all.
- A county's superior court is considering whether to adopt the article.
- An attorney is researching whether the article applies in a specific case.
What This Means for Arizona Families
Maricopa and Pima counties have had robust conciliation court operations at various points, while smaller counties may not. The county-by-county design means Arizona attorneys check the local court rules before filing a conciliation petition.
Reconciliation is rare once a divorce filing is on the table, but the Court of Conciliation has helped many Arizona couples either repair the marriage or part on better terms. Either result has estate-planning consequences. Our FAQ on how divorce affects your Arizona estate plan covers the updates that follow a finalized dissolution; if you reconcile, the same plan needs a different review. The Arizona community property presumption and any premarital agreement the spouses signed both shape what is on the table during conciliation. An Arizona family law attorney working with an estate planning attorney can keep the two tracks coordinated regardless of which way the petition resolves.