Budget Divorce Lawyer?

Many Arizona county courthouses have self-help centers to assist you in obtaining a divorce.  

Maricopa County Court's website provides forms for obtaining a divorce, including custody, parental access plans, and child support obligation forms: 

   http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/SuperiorCourt/Self-ServiceCenter/forms/Index.asp

If you read and complete these forms accurately, and pay the filing fee or ask for it to be deferred, you may be able to obtain the divorce yourself.  I don't suggest it is easy to do a do-it-yourself divorce, but with patience and research it is possible.  Using search terms like "Arizona Supreme Court forms" or "Arizona child support forms" should bring up these free forms.  

For the rest of you, you will need to set rules to live by with your spouse until your divorce can be filed and completed.  

Set financial rules.  The most difficult rules to agree to usually will be related to finances. Nevertheless, try reaching an agreement about the use of separate checking accounts to pay living expenses, who will pay what expenses, etc.  The agreement must be reasonable or neither of you will live by it.  Family law courts often use a proportionate share of income to divide tax exemptions, non-covered medical expenses, etc.  You may want to use a similar formula, if it is fair.

Resolve children issues.  Children should not be informed about adult decisions, but they should be informed about decisions that will affect them.  For example, if you decide to live separately, the children will be comforted by knowing who will pick them up at school, or what room they will be sleeping in and when.  Dividing up when and who will be responsible for the children's child care costs, extra-curricular activities, or home work should resolved.  Don't leave it to chance.  

Set privacy rules.  Using and establishing separate telephone services, and email accounts should be done right away.  If you're going to divorce, then start setting up these privacy walls early.  

Behavior rules.  Agree to treat other civilly.  This will be the hardest rule to live by.  You would not be contemplating a divorce if you got along, so acknowledge you have differences.  Find ways to diffuse your emotions by postponing a heated argument until you have a cooler head.  You may want to agree to wait until a scheduled date and time and in a public place to have these discussions.  

Finally, use whatever resources you have available to help with the roller coaster of emotions you may experience separating from your spouse.  You will have ups and downs.  Consulting with friends, family or counselors will help you get through these tough times.  Hang in there.