Long-Arm Jurisdiction Desk Aid

The purpose of this desk aid is to help staff understand the circumstances under which Arizona would have personal jurisdiction also known as long-arm jurisdiction. In cases where long-arm jurisdiction is applicable and an individual resides in a different jurisdiction, Arizona has the legal authority to take action for paternity, establishment, and enforcement.

 

A.R.S §25-1221 - Bases for jurisdiction over nonresident

  1. In a proceeding to establish or enforce a support order or to determine parentage, a tribunal of this state may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident individual or the individual's guardian or conservator if any of the following is true:
  1. The individual is personally served within this state.
  2. The individual submits to the jurisdiction of this state by consent, by entering a general appearance or by filing a responsive document having the effect of waiving any contest to personal jurisdiction.
  3. The individual resided with the child in this state.
  4. The individual resided in this state and provided prenatal expenses or support for the child.
  5. The child resides in this state as a result of the acts or directives of the individual.
  6. The individual engaged in sexual intercourse in this state and the child may have been conceived by that act of intercourse.
  7. The individual asserted parentage on a birth certificate filed in this state.
  8. There is any other basis consistent with the constitutions of this state and the United States for the exercise of personal jurisdiction.
  1. The bases of personal jurisdiction prescribed in subsection A of this section or in any other law of this state may not be used to acquire personal jurisdiction for a tribunal of this state to modify a child support order of another state unless the requirements of section §25-1311 or 25-1315 are met.

 

A.R.S §25-1222- Duration of personal jurisdiction

  1. Personal jurisdiction acquired by a tribunal of this state in a proceeding under this chapter or another law of this state relating to a support order continues as long as the tribunal of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify its order or continuing jurisdiction to enforce its order pursuant to sections 25-1225, 25-1226 and 25-1231.