06/24/2026
DID YOU KNOW? 👀
Arizona just changed the way family courts must address domestic violence in child custody cases.
The new Alec and Lydia Act is a major update to Arizona family law.
In plain English, the law makes clear that when domestic violence is proven, child and victim safety must come first.
Under the new law, Arizona courts must give the highest priority to the safety and physical, mental, and emotional well-being of:
✔️ the child; and
✔️ the parent who is the victim of domestic violence.
The law also creates a mandatory rebuttable presumption that awarding legal decision-making or parenting time to a parent who committed domestic violence is contrary to the child’s best interests, regardless of the circumstances.
That does not mean every allegation automatically changes custody.
But it does mean domestic violence must be taken seriously, addressed directly, and supported by detailed court findings.
Another important part of the law:
Domestic violence is not limited to physical violence.
The Act recognizes coercive control as a form of domestic violence, which may include patterns of threats, isolation, intimidation, financial control, stalking, harassment, misuse of litigation, or surveillance/tracking technology.
The takeaway:
In Arizona custody cases, domestic violence is not just a “relationship issue.”
It can directly affect legal decision-making, parenting time, supervised visits, exchanges, overnights, and other safety protections.
If safety is a concern, documentation matters. So does presenting the evidence correctly.
📍Arizona Family Law Tip from M&M Law Group, PLLC
Serving families in Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, Phoenix, and throughout Arizona.
