A summary consent decree is an Arizona dissolution procedure available to eligible spouses who have reached a complete agreement on every required issue before or shortly after filing. Under A.R.S. § 25-314.01 qualifying couples can use a simplified process to obtain a final decree without a contested hearing.

To use the summary consent decree process both parties must agree on all property, debt, support, and parenting issues. The eligibility requirements include marriage length limits, property and debt thresholds, and other criteria. Confirm current requirements before advising a client that this process is available.

The summary consent decree is not a shortcut around quality. The decree and any parenting plan must still be complete, specific, detailed and enforceable.