Family Court Department

In Maricopa County and Arizona’s other large counties, the superior court is divided into departments where certain courts within the county are assigned to hear only family law cases. Despite the name, case law has made clear that the division of the court into departments is purely imaginary, and the superior court forms one statewide court of general jurisdiction. Therefore, if necessary, a judge in the family law court has jurisdiction to hear any type of controversy for which the superior court would have jurisdiction; this means they can join parties or other suits if necessary to expedite the resolution of a dispute.