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Child custody and support in Arizona

The Arizona rules for parents who divorce, from official sources: the legal term for custody, the parenting class, the official support calculator, custody mediation and the child support agency.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026

In short

In Arizona, custody is called “legal decision-making and parenting time”. Parenting class: Each county's superior court runs a required parent education program for parents of minor children in a divorce (A.R.S. 25-351, 25-352): azcourts.gov: Parent Education Program. Arizona publishes an official child support calculator or guidelines.

Custody term
Legal decision-making and parenting time
Parenting class
Required
Child support calculator
Official child support calculator or guidelines
Child support agency
Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)

Custody terms in Arizona

Legal decision-making and parenting time

Mediation

Many superior courts offer conciliation services and mediation for parenting disputes, and judges may order it. Check your county's conciliation court.

Parenting class in Arizona

Each county's superior court runs a required parent education program for parents of minor children in a divorce (A.R.S. 25-351, 25-352): azcourts.gov: Parent Education Program

Child support in Arizona

Child support follows Arizona's guidelines. Estimate it with the official calculator, and contact the state's child support agency for help setting up or collecting it.

Children in a Arizona divorce: what the process includes

  1. Custody

    The court's orders use Arizona's term for custody: legal decision-making and parenting time.

  2. Parenting class

    Take the parenting class described above if Arizona requires it in your case.

  3. Mediation

    If the court sends you to mediation, go to every session; the rule is above.

  4. Child support

    Estimate it first: the official calculator

  5. The child support agency

    For help setting up or collecting support, contact the state's child support agency.

Questions about custody and child support in Arizona

What is child custody called in Arizona?

Arizona uses the term “legal decision-making and parenting time”.

Do parents have to take a class in a Arizona divorce?

Yes. Each county's superior court runs a required parent education program for parents of minor children in a divorce (A.R.S. 25-351, 25-352): azcourts.gov: Parent Education Program

Is there an official child support calculator for Arizona?

Yes. Arizona's official calculator or guidelines: the official calculator

Which agency handles child support in Arizona?

Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Support Services (DCSS).

Is mediation required for custody in Arizona?

Many superior courts offer conciliation services and mediation for parenting disputes, and judges may order it. Check your county's conciliation court.

More about divorce in Arizona

Custody and support in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.