Arizona Law Practice Exam

In Arizona, if one spouse does not agree to the divorce, it is sufficient for the filing spouse to cite an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage as the reason for seeking a divorce. Arizona law does not require both spouses to consent for a divorce to be granted. Instead, simply stating that the marriage has irretrievably broken down is enough to initiate the process. This principle is rooted in Arizona law, which allows one spouse to unilaterally file for divorce after a minimum residency requirement is met. Consequently, even if one party does not want to end the marriage, the other spouse can proceed with the divorce without needing the other’s consent. Approval from a judge is indeed part of the process but is obtained later, after filing and potentially going through necessary proceedings, rather than as a prerequisite to filing. Similarly, a mandatory separation period is not required before filing for divorce in Arizona, nor is mutual consent required, making the correct answer clear in reflecting the law regarding unilateral divorce filings.