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    A.R.S. § 25-381.11

    What Must Be in an Arizona Conciliation Petition

    Verified May 17, 2026 • 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session

    A conciliation petition must allege a controversy exists, request the court's aid in achieving reconciliation or amicable settlement, name and age each minor child involved, identify the petitioner, name the respondent spouse if filing solo, and list other related parties. The required contents focus the court on the people whose welfare is at stake.

    Title 25, DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

    azleg.gov

    What This Statute Says

    This section lists the substantive contents required in every conciliation petition. The list is short but covers everything the court needs to set the case for hearing.

    The petition shall:

    A.R.S. § 25-381.11

    When This Statute Comes Into Play

    These contents are required when:

    • A petitioner is drafting the petition with or without an attorney.
    • A clerk reviews the petition for facial sufficiency.
    • An opposing spouse contests the petition for missing required information.

    What This Means for Arizona Families

    Many couples who file a conciliation petition do so without an attorney. The contents list keeps the petition useful even when the petitioner is preparing it on their own. The court ends up with the names, addresses, and the names and ages of any children whose welfare drives the proceeding.

    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.

    The petition shall: 1. Allege that a controversy exists between the spouses and request the aid of the conciliation court to effect a reconciliation or an amicable settlement of the controversy. 2. State the name and age of each minor child whose welfare may be affected by the controversy. 3. State the name and address of the petitioner or petitioners. 4. If the petition is presented by one spouse only, name the other spouse as a respondent and state the address of that spouse. 5. Name as a respondent any other person who has any relation to the controversy and state the address of the person if known to the petitioner. 6. State such other information as the conciliation court may by rule require.
    View on azleg.gov

    This page provides general legal information about Arizona statutes and is not legal advice. For guidance on how this law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

    Related Questions

    How does estate planning work for blended families and second marriages?

    Estate planning for blended families requires intentional structure because default legal rules often do not match your wishes. A trust can provide for a surviving spouse while protecting children from previous relationships.

    How does divorce affect my estate plan in Arizona, and how do I update it?

    A.R.S. 14-2804 automatically revokes wills, trusts, and POAs favoring a former spouse — but ERISA retirement plans, life insurance, IRAs, and POD/TOD accounts are not covered and need manual beneficiary updates. Sign new POAs, update every beneficiary form, and reconcile your plan with the divorce decree.

    How do I keep my ex-spouse from getting anything when I die?

    Arizona law automatically revokes most ex-spouse beneficiary designations after divorce under A.R.S. 14-2804. But it does not cover 401(k)s, pensions, or real estate titles. Update those manually, along with your will, trust, and powers of attorney.

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