Divorce & Annulment

questions & answers

Question: I married in 2001 when i turned 21 to a man i really didnt know he ended up having another family in mexico he left me a month later never heard from him again i believe hes in mexico how can i file for a divorce

Answer: You have the right to file for dissolution of your marriage under Arizona law.  Dissolution of marriage is governed by Arizona statutes.  Title 25, Article 2 sets forth all the statutes that govern dissolution (divorce).  You can find the forms you need in the self-help center of the Superior Court of Arizona website, Superior Court of Arizona.gov.  If, after making diligent efforts, you are unable to locate your husband, you will be able to serve him with the divorce papers by publication.  This issue is governed by Rules 4.1 and 4.2 of the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure.  You think he is in Mexico but don't really know where he is.  The rules allow you to serve him by publication if you can tell the court you have made diligent efforts to find him and failed.  You serve him  by publishing the summons in a newspaper in your county along with a notice saying where a copy of your petition may be found.  If you contact a newspaper's classified department, the people who work there should know what is required.  Your best bet, however, is to get a lawyer to help you.  There are 3 programs in Arizona that you can use to get some inexpensive legal advice and guidance.  One is the Modest Means Program.  For a $75.00 fee, the Modest Means Program will arrange a one hour consult with an experienced attorney.  The telephone number is (866) 637-5341. Both the Maricopa County Bar Association and the Pima County Bar Association have lawyer referral services that offer a 30 minute consult with an experienced attorney.  Maricopa County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consultation for a fee of $40.00. The telephone number is (602) 257-4434.  Pima County's Lawyer Referral Service offers a 30 minute consultation for a fee of $35.00.  The telephone number is (520) 623-4625.