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Conciliation Court Services

Conciliation Services offers:

Conciliation Counseling for parties contemplating divorce.

Conciliation Counseling is offered by the Superior Court for married parties who are considering or who are in the process of divorce or legal separation. The focus of this brief counseling is to assist parties in making an informed and thoughtful decision regarding their marital relationship.

This counseling is initiated by the filing of a Petition for Conciliation(PDF, 383KB) with the Clerk of the Superior Court in either Prescott or the Verde Valley Judicial District. It is not necessary to have a divorce or legal separation pending to file the Petition for Conciliation. Once a Petition for Conciliation has been accepted, neither party may file for legal separation or dissolution for a period of 60 days. If such an action was filed previous to the acceptance of the Petition for Conciliation, the case may not be advanced until the 60 day “cooling off” period has expired.

When jurisdiction of the Court has been invoked by the acceptance of a Petition for Conciliation, both parties are required to attend the scheduled conferences. These conferences are conducted by professional counselors, are held in private, and are confidential. During the counseling process, no coercion is used to try to force reconciliation. The final decision regarding the marriage is made by the spouses themselves.

Mediation of child legal decision-making and parenting time plans for families of divorce, post-divorce or in paternity actions.

Mediation is offered by the Superior Court. Mediation provides an opportunity for parents to make their own decisions about their children following separation or divorce. In Yavapai County, mediation of legal decision-making and parenting time disputes is encouraged by the judges. In fact, it is required in most Domestic Relations actions where disputes over children are involved.

In post decree matters, parties themselves may request mediation by submitting a Petition for Mediation or they may be ordered by the Court to attend. Although parents may be ordered to attend mediation, they will not be pressured to reach an agreement.

The mediation process directly involves both parents in developing a parenting plan which addresses decision-making responsibilities and how children will spend time with each parent. The focus of mediation is on the future rather than the past. While not every family will resolve all disputes regarding the future care of their children, most parents find mediation useful in defining their ongoing relationships with and responsibilities for their children.

Mediation is not a substitute for legal advice. Parents can make their own plans and decisions while continuing to receive legal advice from their attorneys.

Parent Education Program - Click here for important information on how to complete.

Effective March 1, 2024, Yavapai County exclusively utilizes the Statewide Online Parent Education Course. This is a specific course that must be emailed directly to you. DO NOT search online for parent education courses, as there are many different ones, some of which claim guaranteed court approval – these are not valid and will not be accepted without prior approval.

Pursuant to ARS §25-355 and Administrative Order 2006-07, the fee for the Parent Education Program class is $50.00 per person payable to the Clerk of the Superior Court in Prescott or the Verde Valley Judicial District. Your fee may have already been paid in initial filing fees. Confirm with the Clerk of the Superior Court; once payment is confirmed, they will email you the course.

To Register, you MUST call the Clerk of the Superior Court at one of the telephone numbers below, or go in person to either location during normal business hours.

Clerk of the Superior Court, Yavapai County Courthouse, 120 South Cortez, Prescott, Arizona 86303 | 928-771-3312

Clerk of the Superior Court, Camp Verde, 2840 North Commonwealth Drive, Camp Verde, Arizona 86322 | 928-567-7741

Completion of the Parent Education Program is required by law (ARS § 25-351 and 352) for all parents with natural, adopted or unemancipated children under the age of 18 in any action for dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, annulment, or in any paternity proceeding in which a party has requested the Court determine legal decision-making, specific parenting time or visitation. Additionally, the Court may order attendance in an action involving child support or modification/enforcement of visitation, legal decision-making, parenting time, or support.

The purpose of the class is to provide parents information about the effects of divorce on children and how to help children adjust to resulting changes in the family unit. The goal is to give parents tools they can use to support their children, to create greater understanding of how and why conflict between parents creates stress for children, and to encourage parents to decrease conflict through cooperation. It will also provide resources, go over processes you will encounter in the court, and more.

IF YOU DO NOT COMPLETE THIS PROGRAM, THE JUDGE MAY NOT SIGN YOUR DECREE AND MAY DENY THE RELIEF WHICH YOU REQUESTED FROM THE COURT. THIS APPLIES TO CURRENT AND FUTURE REQUESTS.

Course Duration: Approximately 3 Hours. You may log out and log back into the course at any time, so you do not have to complete in one sitting.

Languages Available: English or Spanish.

Recommended Devices/Browsers: Desktop or Laptop. Microsoft Edge Browser.

If you do not have access to a personal desktop or laptop computer, you are welcome to use a computer at the Law Library in Prescott’s Courthouse downtown or the Self-Service Center at the Camp Verde Courthouse during normal business hours. Or you may go to your public library. Headphones are needed.

-Although you can use your mobile phone to access the course, this course is not designed for mobile viewing. You will have a better user-experience on a laptop or desktop computer.