A decree of dissolution is the final judgment that legally ends an Arizona marriage. The court signs it and the divorce is granted. Everything the parties agreed to or the court decided is contained in the decree and it controls their rights and obligations going forward.

The decree must address every required issue: marital status, property division, debts, spousal maintenance, child support, legal decision making, parenting time, attorney fees, name restoration if requested, and any other matter the court has jurisdiction to resolve.

Property provisions in a decree are generally final and not freely modifiable. Support and parenting provisions may be modifiable later if the applicable legal standard is met and a proper petition is filed.

A decree that is ambiguous or incomplete creates future problems. Clear, specific language such as dollar amounts, dates, account numbers, deadlines, and exact obligations is not optional. We draft decrees that actually close the case rather than leaving questions open for later litigation.