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HB 2213

dissolution of marriage; outcomes; estimator

57th Legislature - Second Regular Session Introduced by Teresa Martinez

HB 2213 requires Arizona courts to provide divorcing couples with financial and custody outcome estimators before finalizing dissolution agreements to increase transparency and inform settlement decisions.

House First Reading.
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Bill Summary · HB 2213

Legislative bill overview

HB 2213 requires Arizona courts to provide divorcing couples with an "outcomes estimator"—a tool that projects financial and custody results based on state law before finalizing dissolution of marriage proceedings. The bill aims to give spouses clearer information about likely outcomes before they commit to settlement agreements or proceed to trial.

Why is this important

Divorce outcomes significantly affect families' financial security and children's welfare. An estimator tool could reduce information asymmetries between spouses (particularly when one party has greater legal resources), potentially lowering litigation costs and encouraging settlements. However, implementation details—accuracy, accessibility, and whether courts can enforce its use—will determine whether this becomes genuinely useful or merely procedural.

Potential points of contention

  • Accuracy concerns: Estimators rely on algorithms and assumptions about judicial discretion; Arizona judges may deviate from predicted outcomes in individual cases, creating false expectations
  • Access and fairness: If the tool costs money or requires legal expertise to interpret, it may advantage higher-income spouses, potentially worsening rather than reducing inequality
  • Judicial independence: Mandating estimator use could pressure judges to conform to algorithmic predictions, limiting case-by-case discretion in complex family situations involving abuse, special needs, or unusual assets

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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