Arizona · Custody and support · Updated Oct 2026
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.
In short
In Arizona, custody is called “legal decision-making and parenting time”. Parenting class: 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): https://www.azcourts.gov/familylaw/Child-Support-Family-Law-Information/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
Custody terms in Arizona
Legal decision-making and parenting time
Mediation
Common. 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
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): https://www.azcourts.gov/familylaw/Child-Support-Family-Law-Information/Parent-Education-Program
Child support in Arizona
- Child support calculator: Official child support calculator or guidelines
- Child support agency: Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)
Children in a Arizona divorce: what the process includes
Custody
The court's orders use Arizona's term for custody: legal decision-making and parenting time.
Parenting class
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): https://www.azcourts.gov/familylaw/Child-Support-Family-Law-Information/Parent-Education-Program.
Mediation
Common.
Child support
The official calculator or guidelines: Official child support calculator or guidelines
The child support agency
Arizona's child support agency: Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)
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): https://www.azcourts.gov/familylaw/Child-Support-Family-Law-Information/Parent-Education-Program
Is there an official child support calculator for Arizona?
Yes. Arizona's official calculator or guidelines: Official child support calculator or guidelines
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?
Common. 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
- All Arizona divorce laws
- Uncontested divorce in Arizona
- Arizona divorce forms and filing fees
- Alimony in Arizona
- Serving divorce papers in Arizona
- Divorce timeline estimator for Arizona
- Divorce checklist for Arizona
- How to file for divorce without a lawyer
- Served with divorce papers: what to do
Custody and support in nearby states
- Official child support calculator or guidelines
- Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)
- A.R.S. 25-312 Dissolution; findings
- A.R.S. 25-329 Waiting period
- A.R.S. 25-319 Maintenance guidelines
- A.R.S. 25-325 Restoration of name
- Arizona Superior Court Filing Fees
- Arizona Fee Waivers and Deferrals
- Arizona Judicial Branch Family Law
- Maricopa County Superior Court: How to serve court papers (response deadlines)
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.