Programs courts order by name · Parent Information Program (PIP)

PIP Class in Arizona: The Parent Information Program, County by County

Arizona’s mandatory class for parents in divorce, legal separation and paternity cases involving children — ordered under A.R.S. 25-352 and run county by county.

At a glance

Which courts order or accept Parent Information Program (PIP)

Here is where we found Parent Information Program (PIP) named in an official court or state source, and what that source says. A court that lists a program satisfies its own requirement with it — that does not make it valid for every court.

Who has to take the PIP class, and by when

Both parents. A.R.S. 25-352 says the court “shall order” the parties to complete the program in a divorce, legal separation or annulment that involves a minor child common to the parties, and in a paternity case where a party has asked the court to determine custody, specific parenting time or child support. In cases about child support, or about changing or enforcing parenting time or custody, the court may order one or both parents to attend.

The deadline is whatever your order says: the statute requires each party to complete the program within the time ordered by the judge, and the judge may extend it. Maricopa County’s standard order sets 45 days from the date the petition is served, and says the served parent must register and finish whether or not they file a response. Pima County says 45 days from filing or being served, unless the judge orders otherwise.

Parents take it separately. Maricopa County’s notice says the two parents must attend separate classes — the same agency is fine, but not at the same time — and the statute lets the court set special arrangements where there is a history of domestic violence.

What it costs, and fee waivers or deferrals

A.R.S. 25-355 caps the fee at $50 per person and says it may be deferred or waived under A.R.S. 12-302. In Maricopa County you pay the provider you choose; the court’s order says that if your court fees in the family case have been deferred or waived, you are eligible to have the PIP fee deferred or waived too, and you give the provider that paperwork when you register. In Pima and Pinal counties you pay the Clerk of the Superior Court, and you ask the Clerk about a waiver or deferral.

The Arizona Judicial Branch says parents of limited means can apply to the Clerk of Superior Court to have the fee waived or paid in installments.

If you do not complete it

A.R.S. 25-353 says that, unless the court excused you, the court may deny relief in your favor, hold you in contempt of court, or impose any other sanction that is reasonable in the circumstances.

Maricopa County’s order spells out what that looks like: the judge may not sign your papers, you may not get what you asked the court for, and you may be denied the right to seek modification or enforcement of the decree or order until you complete the class. Pima County says failing to take the course will not delay your divorce but may lead the court to deny your future requests, such as changes to legal decision-making, parenting time or child support.

If you are close to or past your deadline, contact the court rather than ignoring it — the statute lets the judge extend the deadline.

PIP classes in Spanish

Maricopa County’s order says court-approved provider classes are available in both English and Spanish, and its provider list marks Spanish options: Families in Transition publishes a Spanish-language phone line, Niños En Medio En Linea is the Spanish version of Children In-Between Online, and Positive Parenting, Certevia and Online Parenting Programs are listed as available in English and Spanish. If a disability or language need makes it hard to find a class, the order says to call Family Department Administration at 602-506-1561.

Pima County registers parents for its course in English or Spanish.

How the high-conflict class is different from PIP

The high-conflict class is a separate class, not a version of PIP, and finishing one does not replace the other unless your judge says so.

In Maricopa County it is the Parental Conflict Resolution (PCR) class: the court describes it as a four-hour course taught at the court for parents in high-conflict situations, with a $50 fee paid five days before the class date and parents attending separate sessions. PIP, by contrast, is taken from a community or online provider on the approved list. The court’s page does not say whether PCR sessions are offered in Spanish — call the number it gives for PCR questions and rescheduling, 602-506-6124, to ask.

In Pinal County it is called the High Conflict Class: a four-hour class a judge may order, with a $40 fee, registration by phone, and the two parents in different sessions. The court says it is attended in person.

The certificate and how to file it

In Maricopa County the approved provider e-files your certificate with the court, and the court’s order says only approved providers can e-file one. Elsewhere it depends on the county: the Arizona Judicial Branch says in-person instructors give you an attendance form to file with the Clerk of Superior Court (in a few counties the instructor sends it directly), and online classes give you a form to download after you submit the class evaluation. Under the state standards the certificate must show your court case number, the date you attended, your name, and the provider’s name, address and phone number. Keep a copy.

Confirm your court accepts Parent Information Program (PIP)

• Use the county where your case is filed. Approval is county by county — a class on Maricopa County’s list is not automatically accepted in Pima County, which says it will not accept outside online certificates without the assigned judge’s prior approval.
• In Maricopa County, a class from a provider that is not on the court’s approved list needs prior authorization from the judicial officer assigned to your case.
• The fee for the required class cannot exceed $50. If a site quotes more for a “court-approved” Arizona PIP class, check it against your county court’s own list.
• Read the deadline in your own order. Forty-five days is Maricopa County’s standard and Pima County’s default; your judge can set or extend a different date.
• If your order names the Parental Conflict Resolution class or a high-conflict class, that is a different class from PIP.

Sources

1. A.R.S. § 25-351 — Domestic relations education; plan; administration (Arizona Legislature)
2. A.R.S. § 25-352 — Applicability of program; compliance (Arizona Legislature)
3. A.R.S. § 25-353 — Failure to comply (Arizona Legislature)
4. A.R.S. § 25-355 — Fees; deferral or waiver (Arizona Legislature)
5. Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 3-202 — Parent Education Programs, minimum standards (PDF, amended April 2024)
6. Arizona Judicial Branch — Parent Education Program
7. Arizona Judicial Branch — Parent Education Program: County Resources
8. Arizona Judicial Branch — Parent Education Questions (FAQ)
9. Maricopa County Superior Court — Family Conciliation Services (PIP providers and PCR class)
10. Maricopa County Superior Court — Order and Notice to Attend Parent Information Program Class (form DR12f, PDF)
11. Arizona Superior Court in Pima County — Parent Education
12. Pinal County Superior Court — Parent Education Class
13. Pinal County Superior Court — Parent Education Class Q & A
14. Pinal County Superior Court — High Conflict Class