What This Statute Says
This section is even shorter than most. No fee. Not for the petition, not for any official duty under the article.
No fee shall be charged for filing the petition, nor shall any fee be charged by any officer for the performance of any duty pursuant to this article.
A.R.S. § 25-381.13When This Statute Comes Into Play
The no-fee rule applies when:
- A self-represented spouse files a conciliation petition.
- A clerk processes notices, service, or other paperwork in a conciliation matter.
- A party seeks an order or hearing under any other section of the article.
What This Means for Arizona Families
Filing fees for divorce in Arizona are substantial. Removing them from the conciliation track keeps the option realistically available to families who could not otherwise pay. Many couples who eventually divorce still use the conciliation court first because there is no financial cost to trying.
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.