Court Paperwork the Clerk Will Actually Accept
Arizona courts reject filings for reasons that have nothing to do with the merits of your case — a missing worksheet, the wrong caption, an unsigned certificate of service. We prepare divorce, custody, probate, guardianship, and name change documents that are complete and correctly formatted the first time you walk up to the counter.
Does This Sound Familiar?
Most of our court clients are handling something difficult and handling it themselves. The paperwork should not be the hard part.
- We agree on everything, but the clerk has sent our divorce paperwork back twice.
- My father passed away and I do not know how to transfer the house into my name.
- I need to change my child's last name and I cannot find the right forms.
- An attorney quoted me thousands of dollars for a divorce we both already agreed to.
- I have a conviction from years ago that still costs me jobs, and I want it set aside.
- My mother needs a guardian and no one in the family knows where to start.
What We Prepare
Complete document sets — not just the main petition, but every worksheet, notice, and order the court expects to see with it.
Family Law
- Dissolution of marriage (divorce), with or without children
- Legal separation and annulment
- Parenting plans and legal decision-making
- Child support worksheets and orders
- Post-decree modifications and enforcement
- Consent decrees for uncontested cases
Probate & Estates
- Informal probate and appointment of a personal representative
- Small estate affidavits, when the estate qualifies
- Notices to heirs and creditors
- Inventories and closing statements
- Deeds transferring property out of an estate
Guardianship & Conservatorship
- Guardianship of a minor
- Adult guardianship and conservatorship
- Temporary and emergency petitions
- Annual reports and accountings
Civil & Records
- Adult and minor name changes
- Set-aside of a conviction and restoration of civil rights
- Orders of protection and injunctions against harassment
- Small claims and justice court filings
- Landlord and tenant (forcible detainer) documents
Filing Alone vs. Filing With Us
Court filing fees are not refunded when a packet is rejected, and a returned filing can push your hearing date out by weeks.
On your own
- Downloading a generic packet that is missing county-specific forms
- Filing the petition but forgetting the worksheet that goes with it
- Serving the other party incorrectly and starting the clock over
- Waiting in line only to be turned away at the counter
- Missing a deadline you did not know existed
With Rivera Legal Services
- The complete set of documents your case type requires
- Formatted and captioned the way the clerk expects
- Service requirements explained before you attempt them
- Reviewed with you page by page before you sign
- Fifteen years of knowing what this court sends back and why
What You Get
The Full Packet
Petition, worksheets, notices, proposed orders — everything that belongs together, together.
Plain Language
We explain what each document does before you sign it, in English or Spanish, for as long as it takes.
Filing Guidance
Where to file, what to expect at the counter, and how service works — general information, clearly given.
An Honest Read
If your matter really needs an attorney, we say so. We would rather send you well than serve you badly.
How It Works
From first conversation to a filing-ready packet.
Tell Us What Happened
Describe your situation. We explain what the court process looks like and what it will require of you.
You Decide
You choose what to file. We quote our fee for preparing it, up front and in writing.
We Prepare It All
Every document your case type calls for, completed accurately and formatted for the court.
Review, Sign, File
We go through the packet with you, then you file it knowing exactly what is in it.
Questions People Actually Ask
Including the ones where the honest answer is "we can't."
Can you tell me whether I should file for divorce or legal separation?
No. Recommending which action to take is legal advice, and Arizona certified legal document preparers are not permitted to give it.
What we can do is explain in plain language what each filing is, what the forms ask for, and what the court process involves — so you can make the decision yourself. Once you decide, we prepare the paperwork.
How long does an uncontested divorce take in Arizona?
Arizona law requires a waiting period of at least 60 days from the date the other spouse is served or signs an acceptance of service before a decree can be entered.
The real timeline depends on the court's calendar and — this is the part you control — on how complete your paperwork is when it is filed. Incomplete filings are what turn a two-month process into a six-month one.
Do you go to court with me?
No. We are document preparers, not attorneys, and we cannot represent you or speak for you in a courtroom. Our work is making sure that what you file is complete, accurate, and correctly formatted so that the hearing is about your case and not about your paperwork.
What if the other party has a lawyer?
You are still entitled to represent yourself, and we can still prepare your documents. But if the other side has counsel and the matter is genuinely contested, we will tell you plainly that consulting an attorney is worth your while.
How much does it cost?
Our fee depends on the type of case and how many documents it involves, and we quote it before we begin. Court filing fees are set by the court and paid separately, directly to the clerk — those are never part of our fee. Call (928) 514-1181 for a quote.
Do you speak Spanish?
Sí, completamente. Ver esta página en español.
We Also Handle
Let's Get It Filed Correctly
Tell us what you are dealing with, in English or Spanish. We will explain the process and quote our fee before you commit to anything.