How to Start a Custody Case in Arizona (Legal Decision-Making, Parenting Time & Child Support – No Lawyer Needed)

 

If you’re trying to get custody of your child in Arizona, you’re probably asking:

• Where do I start?
• What forms do I need?
• Can I do this without a lawyer?
• How do I get child support ordered?

Here’s the truth:

👉 If paternity is already established, you can file your own custody case in Arizona.

And many people do — especially when the case is uncontested.

This guide explains how to start your case step-by-step in Maricopa County.

⚖️ WHAT THIS CASE DOES

This type of case allows the court to issue orders for:

✔ Legal decision-making (custody)
✔ Parenting time (visitation schedule)
✔ Child support

⚠️ This is the correct case when:

👉 The father is already on the birth certificate
👉 Paternity is already legally established

📂 STEP 1: COMPLETE THE REQUIRED FORMS

To start your case, you will need:

✔ Petition to Establish Legal Decision-Making, Parenting Time & Child Support
✔ Summons
✔ Preliminary Injunction
✔ Sensitive Data Sheet
✔ Parenting Plan
✔ Child Support Worksheet

👉 These forms tell the court what you are requesting.

🧾 STEP 2: FILE YOUR CASE

Take your documents to:

👉 Clerk of Superior Court (Maricopa County)

At filing:

✔ Submit original documents
✔ Pay filing fee (or request a fee deferral)
✔ Receive stamped copies

📬 STEP 3: SERVE THE OTHER PARENT

After filing, you must legally notify the other parent.

Approved methods include:

✔ Acceptance of Service
✔ Certified Mail (Restricted Delivery)
✔ Process Server
✔ Sheriff

⚠️ Your case cannot move forward until service is completed.

🏢 STEP 4: SERVE DES (CHILD SUPPORT CASES)

If you are requesting child support:

👉 You must also serve:

Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES)

If you skip this step:

❌ Your case can be delayed
❌ Child support may not be ordered

⏳ STEP 5: WAIT OR PROCEED BY DEFAULT

If the other parent:

✔ Cooperates → your case moves forward
✔ Does not respond → you may proceed by default

⚖️ STEP 6: FINAL ORDERS

If uncontested, the court can issue orders for:

✔ Legal decision-making (custody)
✔ Parenting time
✔ Child support

🧠 WHAT “UNCONTESTED” MEANS

An uncontested case means:

✔ The other parent does not oppose the case
✔ They cooperate with service
✔ They do not file a response

If the case becomes contested, additional steps may be required.

💡 COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

❌ Filing the wrong case (paternity vs custody)
❌ Not completing the child support worksheet
❌ Not serving the other parent correctly
❌ Forgetting to serve DES

These mistakes can delay your case for weeks or months.

💰 DO YOU NEED A LAWYER?

Not always.

If your case is:

✔ Straightforward
✔ Uncontested
✔ No major disputes

✔ “Many individuals choose to complete this process themselves”
✔ “This is a common way to begin the process”

📦 WANT EVERYTHING STEP-BY-STEP?

If you want everything clearly organized — including instructions, examples, and direct access to the correct court forms — you can get the full kit here:

👉 Arizona Legal Decision-Making, Parenting Time & Child Support DIY Kit (Maricopa County)

👉 [DIGITAL VERSION]: https://payhip.com/b/yd7UR

👉 [PRINTED VERSION]: https://payhip.com/b/Qce0d

✔ Step-by-step instructions
✔ Designed for self-represented individuals
✔ No lawyer needed for uncontested cases

🚀 START YOUR CASE THE RIGHT WAY

Don’t risk delays, rejected filings, or mistakes.

👉 Get the full step-by-step system here:

👉 [DIGITAL VERSION]: https://payhip.com/b/yd7UR

👉 [PRINTED VERSION]: https://payhip.com/b/Qce0d

🔥 FINAL WORD

If paternity is already established, you don’t need to start over — you just need to file the correct custody case.

👉 Follow the right steps, and you can move your case forward without a lawyer.

👤 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

This guide was created by:

Christian Soto, Arizona Certified Legal Document Preparer (AZCLDP #81428)
Servicios Privados Legales de AZ LLC (#81647)

With over 10 years of experience and having assisted thousands of Arizona clients, this guide is designed to simplify the process for individuals who want to handle their case without hiring a lawyer.

This is not a law firm.
This is a step-by-step educational system designed to help you understand and complete the process on your own.

⚠️ This content is provided for educational and self-help purposes only. No legal advice is given, and no attorney-client relationship is created.

 This material provides general information about court procedures and is not a substitute for legal advice.