Best interests of the child is the controlling legal standard for every Arizona decision about legal decision making and parenting time. It is the legal framework the court must apply, and it is fact-intensive.

In contested cases the court must make written findings explaining why the order serves the child’s best interests. That requirement gives the parties something to work with on appeal if the findings are inadequate.

We focus on best interests evidence from the first consultation. The facts that matter most are the daily caregiving history, the child’s specific relationships and routines, safety concerns supported by documentation, and what the child actually needs to thrive.

The Alec and Lydia Act, signed into law on June 22, 2026, significantly strengthened the best interests framework when domestic violence is present. Arizona law now declares that domestic violence is contrary to a child’s best interests and that the safety of the child and the domestic violence victim are the highest priority above the general presumption that both parents should have frequent and continuing contact with the child. When domestic violence is present, safety is not one factor among many. It is the first one. Read our full series on the Alec and Lydia Act at bestlawaz.com/alec-and-lydia-act.