Arizona Legal Decision-Making & Parenting Time
Current, source-linked Arizona terminology and rules without imported out-of-state formulas.
Arizona terminology
Legal decision-making
The right to make major decisions for the child (medical, religious, educational) — sole or joint.
Parenting time
Where the child lives and the schedule — the Arizona term for the time a child spends with each parent.
Sole / joint
Legal decision-making may be sole (one parent decides) or joint (both decide together).
Best interests
The standard; decided on all relevant factors (A.R.S. § 25-403).
Core rules
- Arizona uses 'legal decision-making' and 'parenting time' — not 'custody' as the operative framework
- There is no presumption for or against either parent; legal decision-making and parenting time are decided on the child's best interests
- A parent not granted legal decision-making is entitled to reasonable parenting time unless it would endanger the child
- No party receives a preference based on gender
- There is no fixed 50/50 presumption and no overnight formula that converts a schedule into a parenting-time right
- In contested cases the court may require mediation
Support and modification cautions
Arizona uses the Income Shares model for child support — not a flat percentage of one parent's income. The court combines both parents' income and reads the basic obligation from the Schedule of Basic Support Obligations (A.R.S. § 25-320 / AZ Child Support Guidelines, eff. 1/1/2026). A legal decision-making or parenting time order may be modified upon a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances (A.R.S. § 25-411).
Always confirm current local forms, fees, and filing procedure with the Arizona Superior Court, Family Division clerk handling your case.