A bipartisan group of Arizona legislators released a report calling for significant changes to the state's family court system after hearing concerns from thousands of families about child safety, parental rights, and financial burdens.
The Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Committee on Family Court Orders spent over 40 hours listening to testimony from more than 6,000 people, both in person and online.
Families shared stories about problems they faced in family court, where judges make decisions about child custody and parental rights during divorces and separations.
The committee, led by Senator Mark Finchem and Representative Rachel Keshel, identified several recurring issues.
Court-ordered programs and evaluations often cost families tens of thousands of dollars, with little oversight of the professionals providing these services.
Standards for guardian ad litems, lawyers appointed to represent children's interests, are applied inconsistently across the state. Many families said the system lacks transparency and accountability.
Calls for Change
"Child safety must be the top priority in every family court proceeding," Senator Finchem stated, noting that inconsistent oversight and expensive mandated programs are putting children at risk and placing families in difficult positions.
Representative Keshel emphasized that the system sometimes prioritizes procedures over people.
"The purpose of this work is to ensure that every decision made in family court begins with one question: is this in the best interest and safety of the child?" she questioned.
Representative Fink noted that families shouldn't face financial ruin to maintain parental rights, while Senator Theresa Hatathlie stressed the importance of considering cultural and community factors in decisions.
The report recommends strengthening oversight and increasing transparency. These recommendations will guide legislation being prepared for the 2026 session.
