Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed a bill designed to force judges to hold initial child custody hearings faster, generally within 60 days, reports AP
The bill Brewer signed into law Wednesday had passed the Senate and House by wide margins.
Cases can now take months for an initial temporary custody hearing. Bill sponsor Sen. Nancy Barto says that can deny the non-custodial parent their rights to participate in their child’s upbringing.
Judges assigned new child custody cases will now have to hold an evidentiary hearing within 60 days of a parent’s filing. Exceptions include if the person waves that requirement or the parties agree to temporary custody arrangements.
The custody hearing bill is SB1073.
Statement by Kaine Fisher, head of RLG’s Family Law Dept.: “This a great piece of legislation. Family law practitioners are often frustrated with the small amount of time afforded to litigants to bring their very important and consequential decision-making and parenting time matters before a court, and they are often frustrated with how long it takes to bring such issues before a court in the event they cannot be amicably resolved. This is a step toward solving at least one of these long-standing complaints.”
