Arizona Key Definitions

Key legal terms defined in Arizona Revised Statutes, particularly Title 25 (Family Law).

Custody & Family Law

• Legal Custody - Authority to make major decisions about a child (education, health, religion)
• Physical Custody - Right to provide housing and daily care for a child
• Joint Custody - Shared custody arrangement between both parents
• Sole Custody - Exclusive custody with one parent
• Parenting Time - Scheduled time a parent has with a child (Arizona term)
• Best Interest of the Child - Legal standard for custody decisions
• De Facto Presumption - Practical presumption established through case law rather than statute

Related Concepts

• Dissolution of Marriage - Legal termination of a marriage (divorce)
• Marital Property - Assets acquired during the marriage subject to division
• Child Support - Financial obligation for child’s expenses
• Spousal Maintenance - Financial support paid by one spouse to another

Case Law Foundation

Arizona’s custody approach is primarily shaped by:

• Woyton v. Ward (2019) - Established de facto presumption
• Smith v. Smith (2022) - Affirmed de facto presumption standard

Related

• Arizona - Arizona jurisdiction overview
• Title-25 - Family Law statutes
• ARS § 25-403.02 - Custody statute