Arizona Divorce Comparison
If you entered a Covenant Marriage in Arizona, you face a fundamentally different — and often more difficult — legal road to dissolution than spouses in a standard marriage. Arizona is one of only three states that recognizes Covenant Marriage, a legally binding agreement that limits the grounds on which you can divorce. Understanding the difference between dissolving a Covenant Marriage versus a Standard Marriage is critical before you take any legal steps, because the wrong assumption about your marriage type could derail your case entirely.
A fault-based dissolution process restricted to couples who signed a Covenant Marriage agreement at the time of marriage, requiring proof of specific statutory grounds before a court will grant a divorce in Arizona.
Best for: Spouses who entered a formal Covenant Marriage and either meet a statutory fault ground OR wish to explore counseling and legal separation before pursuing full dissolution.
Arizona's no-fault dissolution of marriage process available to all standard-marriage couples, allowing either spouse to cite 'irretrievable breakdown' as the sole ground — no fault or misconduct required.
Best for: Spouses in a standard (non-covenant) Arizona marriage seeking the most straightforward, cost-effective, and timely path to dissolution, especially when both parties agree on major terms.
Standard divorce only requires citing 'irretrievable breakdown' — no proof of fault needed. Covenant marriage divorce requires proving one of a limited set of statutory fault grounds (adultery, felony conviction, abandonment, physical/sexual abuse, or living separately for 2+ years), making it significantly harder to initiate.
Standard divorce can be finalized in as little as 60 days after service (Arizona's mandatory waiting period) for uncontested cases. Covenant marriage divorce typically takes much longer due to mandatory counseling requirements, the difficulty of proving fault grounds, and the likelihood of contested proceedings.
Standard divorce is far more affordable, especially for uncontested cases ($400–$600 DIY). Covenant marriage dissolution almost always involves attorneys due to fault requirements and counseling mandates, pushing costs to $2,500–$35,000+. Community property rules apply equally to both, but litigation risk is higher in covenant cases.
Covenant marriage requires documented counseling attempts before or during filing — a drawback for spouses eager to move on, but potentially beneficial for couples unsure about divorce. Standard marriage has no such requirement, which is faster but removes a structured opportunity for reconciliation.
This factor is determinative: you cannot choose between these two paths freely. If you signed a Covenant Marriage agreement (identified on your Arizona marriage license), you are legally bound to the covenant dissolution process. If you did not, you proceed under standard dissolution rules. Verify your marriage license before taking any steps.
Standard Divorce (for standard-marriage couples) — Covenant Marriage Divorce (if legally required)
For the vast majority of Arizona couples who did not sign a Covenant Marriage agreement, the Standard Divorce process is unambiguously the faster, cheaper, and less adversarial path to dissolution. It requires no proof of fault, has a clear 60-day waiting period, and is well-supported by DIY resources and experienced attorneys statewide. However, if your Arizona marriage license indicates a Covenant Marriage, you have no choice — you must pursue dissolution under the covenant marriage statutes and meet one of the enumerated fault grounds.
This comparison assumes you know your marriage type. Always verify your original Arizona marriage license before filing — it will explicitly state 'Covenant Marriage' if applicable. If you are unsure or if your spouse disputes the marriage classification, consult a licensed Arizona family law attorney immediately, as filing under the wrong process can result in case dismissal and costly delays.
Every Arizona marriage is different — and the wrong filing can cost you months and thousands of dollars. Explore all of Arizona's divorce options side by side, from uncontested DIY filings to contested covenant marriage dissolutions, so you can make the most informed decision for your situation.
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