Arizona Parent Information Program (PIP) Divorce Requirements

If your Arizona divorce involves minor children, both parents must complete the Parent Information Program before the judge will sign your final decree. Skip it or miss the deadline and the court can delay your divorce, deny your custody requests, or hold you in contempt.

Here's what the program involves, how to complete it, and the consequences of non-compliance.

What the PIP Course Covers

Under A.R.S. § 25-351, the presiding judge of each Arizona Superior Court administers this educational program. The course covers the short-term and long-term emotional, physical, and financial effects of divorce on children. It's not therapy or mediation — it's a structured education session designed to help parents minimize harm to their kids during the transition.

The course takes approximately four hours and is offered both online and in person through court-approved private providers.

Deadlines and County Requirements

In Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties, both the petitioner and the respondent must complete the PIP course within 45 days of the date the respondent is served with (or accepts service of) the petition for dissolution.

The approved provider files your completion certificate directly with the Clerk of the Superior Court within 48 hours. If you're self-represented, verify that the certificate actually appears on the court docket — don't assume the provider handled it.

Approved Providers and Fees

Court-approved providers in Maricopa County include organizations like Cadenza Counseling, OnlineParentingPrograms.com, and Families in Transition. Registration fees range from $24.97 to $50 per person, depending on the provider and whether you choose online or in-person.

Check with your county's Superior Court website for the current list of approved providers. Using an unapproved provider means the court won't accept your certificate.

What Happens If You Don't Complete PIP

The consequences escalate:

• Delayed decree — the judge can refuse to sign the final Decree of Dissolution until both parents file completion certificates
• Denied requests — the court may deny legal decision-making or parenting time requests from the non-compliant parent
• Contempt sanctions — repeated non-compliance can result in civil contempt proceedings

If your ex-spouse hasn't completed their PIP course, the court can still proceed with your divorce — but may delay the parenting plan or impose interim restrictions until both parties comply.

After PIP: The Administrative Transition

Completing PIP is just one piece of the post-divorce process. Once the decree is signed, you'll need to update custody-related accounts, adjust health insurance coverage for your children, and navigate the financial separation.

The Arizona After-Divorce Checklist organizes these tasks in chronological order — from decree day through the 120-day mark — so nothing falls through the cracks while you're managing co-parenting logistics.

See more Arizona guides →