For information about child support, view the Child Support Research Guide from the Law Library Resource Center.
Standard Process to Modify Child Support
Upon filing a Petition to Modify Child Support (Standard Process), parties will receive an Order to Appear from the Family Court Conference Center for a one-hour conference and a subsequent 45-minute evidentiary hearing before a judicial officer. They will meet with a Conference Officer to review and try to reach an agreement.
If an agreement is reached during the conference, it will be memorialized as a written stipulation and signed by a Judicial Officer before the parties leave the courthouse.
If there is no agreement, or if only some issues are resolved, the parties will appear at an evidentiary hearing immediately after the conference at which they will receive a final order from a Judicial Officer. Because a Judicial Officer will enter a final order the same day as the conference and hearing, there will no delays experienced.
Simplified Process to Modify Child Support
When a party files a Petition to Modify Child Support (Simplified Process), the filing party will serve the other party with the Petition and allow for a designated response time. The other party may choose to do nothing, or the other party may request a hearing.
If the other party lives in Arizona, they have 20 days from the date they were served with the "Petition to Modify to Request a Hearing."
If the other party does not live in Arizona, they have 30 days from the date they were served with the "Petition to Modify to Request a Hearing."
Next Steps
Wait for the court to let you know what the judge decided or for a hearing date to be set. The judge will write an order stating what the judge decided to do with your case. Read the judge's order carefully, so you know what the judge decided to do next. If it goes to a hearing, a conference may be scheduled.