Is Arizona a community property state?

Yes. Arizona is one of nine community property states, meaning that property and debts acquired during marriage are generally considered to be jointly owned. Separate property — items owned before marriage, gifts, and inheritances — typically remains with the individual spouse, though commingling can complicate this.

What is "legal decision-making" in Arizona?

Since 2013, Arizona uses the term "legal decision-making" instead of "custody." It refers to the right to make major decisions about a child's education, healthcare, religion, and personal care. This can be sole or joint, and it's a central component of any parenting plan developed in mediation.

Does Arizona require mediation for divorce?

Arizona does not require mediation for all divorce issues, but Maricopa County courts frequently order mediation in contested custody and parenting time cases. Even when not required, mediation is strongly encouraged and often produces better outcomes than litigation.

How quickly can we start mediation in Arizona?

You can begin mediation as soon as both parties are willing. Arizona has a 60-day waiting period from the date of service before a divorce decree can be entered, and mediation can begin immediately — often allowing you to have everything resolved before the waiting period expires.

Phoenix Mediation Services

Resolving Disputes with Skill and Compassion in the Valley of the Sun

The Phoenix metropolitan area is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, and with that growth comes an increasing need for professional dispute resolution services. Whether you're going through a divorce, navigating a family conflict, or working through a business disagreement, Compass Mediation Group offers experienced mediation services for individuals and families across Maricopa County and beyond.

Alisa Kharis, our lead mediator, holds a Master Mediator certification from the International Mediation Association (IMA) — a credential she earned through a rigorous year-long training program right here in Phoenix, Arizona. She brings 25+ years of mediation experience, a Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law, and 16 years of prior legal practice — handling family law, civil litigation, criminal law, and business law in Washington state courts — before dedicating herself fully to mediation. She is also an IRS Enrolled Agent — a combination that allows her to address both the emotional and financial dimensions of your situation with equal expertise.

All of our sessions are conducted virtually, giving you the flexibility to participate from your home, office, or any private location throughout the Phoenix area.

Mediation Services for the Phoenix Area

Divorce Mediation in Phoenix

Arizona is a community property state — one of only nine in the nation. This means that property and debts acquired during the marriage are generally considered to be owned equally by both spouses. Understanding what qualifies as community property versus separate property, and how to divide it fairly, is at the heart of every divorce mediation.

Arizona also recognizes the concept of "equitable" community property division, which means that while the starting point is equal, the court can consider factors that justify an unequal division in certain circumstances. In mediation, you and your spouse have the flexibility to craft a division agreement that works for both of you, rather than leaving these deeply personal decisions to a judge.

Alisa's credentials as an IRS Enrolled Agent — also applied through her work at Compass Tax Center, our sister company specializing in tax services — are particularly valuable during property division. The tax consequences of dividing retirement accounts, selling real estate, or splitting business interests can be substantial, and many couples don't realize the impact until it's too late. Our mediation process ensures these financial realities are part of the conversation from the start.

Family Mediation and Parenting Plans

Arizona courts strongly encourage — and in some cases require — mediation for custody and parenting time disputes. Maricopa County Superior Court offers court-connected mediation through its Conciliation Services, but many families find that private mediation provides a more thorough, flexible, and comfortable process.

Our family mediation helps Phoenix parents create detailed parenting plans that cover legal decision-making authority (what Arizona calls "legal custody"), parenting time schedules, holiday arrangements, communication guidelines, and provisions for relocation. Arizona replaced the terms "custody" and "visitation" with "legal decision-making" and "parenting time" in 2013, and our mediations reflect this current framework. With 16 years of family law practice and courtroom experience, Alisa understands the level of detail courts expect in parenting plans.

We also help with post-decree modifications when circumstances change — new jobs, relocations, changes in children's needs — and the existing order no longer serves the family well.

Business and Estate Mediation

Phoenix's booming economy has created a vibrant business landscape, and with it, an inevitable share of disputes. Partnership conflicts, contract disagreements, succession planning — these situations are high-stakes and emotionally charged. Our business mediation helps stakeholders find solutions that protect the enterprise and, where possible, preserve working relationships. Alisa brings firsthand business ownership experience — she has founded and operated multiple companies, including Synergy Relations, a consultation, PR, and strategic communications firm she has run since 2003 — giving her practical insight into the operational realities of business disputes.

Estate mediation addresses inheritance disputes, trust administration conflicts, and probate disagreements — sensitive matters where family relationships and financial interests collide.

Maricopa County Superior Court and Arizona Mediation

Family law cases in the Phoenix metropolitan area are handled by Maricopa County Superior Court, one of the busiest court systems in the country. The court's Family Department has specific procedures, filing requirements, and local rules.

Arizona's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programs, including the court's own mediation services, reflect the state's commitment to resolving family disputes outside the courtroom when possible. However, court-connected mediation sessions are typically brief and limited in scope. Private mediation through Compass Mediation Group offers the time and attention needed to address all issues comprehensively — property division, support, parenting plans, and more — in a single, coordinated process.

Arizona also has a relatively short mandatory waiting period of 60 days from the date of service before a divorce can be finalized, and mediation can begin immediately.

Phoenix-Area Communities We Serve

The Valley of the Sun is vast, stretching across hundreds of square miles. Virtual mediation is especially well-suited to this geography, connecting us with clients throughout the metro area:

Phoenix — Arizona's capital and largest city, with diverse neighborhoods and a growing population
Avondale — Our West Valley connection, serving families in this rapidly growing community
Scottsdale — Often involving higher-value asset divisions, where our financial expertise is particularly valuable
Tempe — Home to ASU and a mix of long-term residents and young professionals
Mesa — The East Valley's largest city, with a strong sense of community and family values
Chandler & Gilbert — Fast-growing Southeast Valley communities with young families navigating life transitions
Glendale — West Valley families served conveniently through virtual sessions, no cross-valley commute needed
Surprise, Peoria & Sun City — Northwest Valley communities, including retirees facing estate and family mediation needs

Why Virtual Mediation Works in Phoenix

Phoenix summers make any unnecessary trip outside an ordeal. When temperatures exceed 110°F, the last thing you want is to drive across the Valley for a meeting that could happen just as effectively — arguably more effectively — from the comfort of your air-conditioned home.

Beyond the weather, the Phoenix metro area's sprawling geography means that an in-person meeting between parties living in different parts of the Valley could require an hour or more of driving each way. Virtual mediation eliminates that burden entirely.

Our secure video platform provides the same structured, professional mediation experience as an in-person session. You see and hear your mediator and the other party in real time, share documents securely, and participate fully in the process — all without stepping outside.

Why Phoenix Families Choose Compass Mediation Group

Arizona community property expertise — Deep understanding of Arizona's property division framework and how it applies to your assets
Financial and tax insight — IRS Enrolled Agent credentials and Compass Tax Center expertise ensure your agreements account for tax implications that many mediators overlook
Master Mediator certified in Phoenix — Alisa earned her IMA Master Mediator certification through a year-long training program in Phoenix, Arizona, and brings 25+ years of mediation experience along with a JD from Seattle University School of Law
Proven legal foundation — 16 years as a former practicing attorney in Washington state courts, having handled family law, civil litigation, business law, and more across five counties before transitioning to full-time mediation
Designed for the Valley — Virtual format built for a metro area where distance and heat make in-person meetings impractical
Thought leader — Host of the BREAKTHROUGH TODAY podcast, sharing insights on conflict resolution and communication

Schedule Your Free Consultation

You don't need to have all the answers right now. A free consultation is simply a conversation — an opportunity to ask questions, describe your situation, and learn how mediation might help. There's no obligation and no pressure.

Call us at (888) 851-8856 or schedule online.

Taking the first step is often the hardest part. We're here when you're ready.

Book Your Free Consultation

Important Notice

Compass Mediation Group provides professional mediation services only. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or act as attorneys for any party. Alisa Kharis is a former practicing attorney who now works exclusively as a mediator. Her legal background gives her a deep understanding of the legal landscape, which enriches the mediation process, but does not constitute the practice of law. Clients are encouraged to consult with independent attorneys for legal counsel regarding their specific situations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mediation in Phoenix

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