A Minute Entry is the written record of what happened at a hearing and the court’s resulting order. In Arizona family court, the Minute Entry is typically the operative court order following any hearing or ruling. It is not a formal written opinion. It is the court’s documentation of what occurred and what was decided.

Read every Minute Entry the moment it arrives. Every single one. Judges put requirements, deadlines, directives, and specific orders in Minute Entries. Missing something in a Minute Entry is not an excusable oversight. Calendar every deadline immediately. If something in the Minute Entry is unclear call the clerk or ask your attorney. Do not guess.

After trial in Arizona family law, the Minute Entry often serves as the operative ruling. The parties may then be directed to prepare a formal decree based on the Minute Entry. Understanding exactly what the Minute Entry says is essential before drafting any post-trial documents.

Reviewing Minute Entries on cases that are not yours is one of the fastest ways to learn how individual judges communicate, what they require, and how they run their courtrooms. Different judges have very different styles and preferences. Know yours before you walk into their courtroom.