Sec 25-315. Temporary order or preliminary injunction; effect; definition  


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  • A. In all actions for dissolution of marriage, for legal separation or for annulment, the clerk of the court shall pursuant to order of the superior court issue a preliminary injunction in the following manner:

    1. The preliminary injunction shall be directed to each party to the action and contain the following orders:

    (a) That both parties are enjoined from transferring, encumbering, concealing, selling or otherwise disposing of any of the joint, common or community property of the parties except if related to the usual course of business, the necessities of life or court fees and reasonable attorney fees associated with an action filed under this article, without the written consent of the parties or the permission of the court.

    (b) That both parties are enjoined from:

    (i) Molesting, harassing, disturbing the peace of or committing an assault or battery on the person of the other party or any natural or adopted child of the parties.

    (ii) Removing any natural or adopted child of the parties then residing in Arizona from the jurisdiction of the court without the prior written consent of the parties or the permission of the court.

    (iii) Removing or causing to be removed the other party or the children of the parties from any existing insurance coverage, including medical, hospital, dental, automobile and disability insurance.

    (c) That both parties shall maintain all insurance coverage in full force and effect.

    2. The preliminary injunction shall include the following statement:

                                     Warning
          

    This is an official court order. If you disobey this order the court may find you in contempt of court. You may also be arrested and prosecuted for the crime of interfering with judicial proceedings and any other crime you may have committed in disobeying this order.

    You or your spouse may file a certified copy of this order with your local law enforcement agency. A certified copy may be obtained from the clerk of the court that issued this order. If you are the person that brought this action, you must also file evidence with the law enforcement agency that this order was served on your spouse.

    This court order is effective until a final decree of dissolution, legal separation or annulment is filed or the action is dismissed.

    3. The preliminary injunction is effective against the petitioner when the petition is filed and against the respondent on service of a copy of the order or on actual notice of the order, whichever is sooner. If service is by registered mail under the Arizona rules of family law procedure, the order is effective on receipt of the order. The order remains effective until further order of the court or the entry of a decree of dissolution, legal separation or annulment.

    4. At the time of filing the petition for dissolution, legal separation or annulment, the copies of the preliminary injunction shall be issued to the petitioner or the agent, servant or employee filing the petition for dissolution, legal separation or annulment. The petitioner is deemed to have accepted service of the petitioner's copy of the preliminary injunction and to have actual notice of its contents by filing or causing to be filed a petition for dissolution, legal separation or annulment. The petitioner shall cause a copy of the preliminary injunction to be served on the respondent with a copy of the summons and petition for dissolution, legal separation or annulment.

    5. The preliminary injunction has the force and effect of an order of the superior court signed by a judge and is enforceable by all remedies made available by law, including contempt of court.

    B. In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, for legal separation, for annulment or for maintenance or support following dissolution of the marriage by a court that lacked personal jurisdiction over the absent spouse, either party may move for an order for equal possession of the liquid assets of the marital property, temporary maintenance or temporary support of a child, natural or adopted, common to the parties entitled to support. The court shall provide for an order for equal possession of the liquid assets of the marital property that existed as of the date the petition for dissolution or legal separation or annulment was served, unless the court finds that there is good cause not to divide those assets. The court's division of liquid assets held by financial institutions does not invalidate applicable law or any provision of an account agreement that assesses penalties against the account holder for premature or unscheduled withdrawals of account funds. The motion shall be accompanied by an affidavit setting forth the factual basis for the motion and the amounts requested and, if appropriate, the liquid assets of the parties. An order for equal possession of the liquid assets of the marital property does not prejudice any final division of the marital community. This subsection does not eliminate the application of the preliminary injunction.

    C. As a part of a motion for temporary maintenance or support or by independent motion accompanied by affidavit, either party may request the court to issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction for any of the following relief:

    1. Excluding a party from the family home or from the home of the other party on a showing that physical or emotional harm may otherwise result.

    2. Providing other injunctive relief proper in the circumstances.

    D. The court may issue a temporary restraining order without requiring notice to the other party only if it finds on the basis of the moving affidavit or other evidence that irreparable injury will result to the moving party if no order is issued until the time for responding has elapsed. A bond is not required unless the court deems it appropriate.

    E. On the basis of the showing made, and in conformity with sections 25-318 and 25-319, the court may issue a preliminary injunction and an order for temporary maintenance or support in amounts and on terms just and proper in the circumstances. The court may also make temporary orders respecting the property of the parties, as may be necessary.

    F. A temporary order or preliminary injunction:

    1. Does not prejudice the rights of the parties or of any child that are to be adjudicated at the subsequent hearings in the proceeding.

    2. May be revoked or modified before final decree on a showing by affidavit of the facts necessary to revocation or modification of a final decree under section 25-327.

    3. That provided for equal possession of liquid assets of the marital property does not prejudice either party's claim for temporary maintenance, child support or attorney fees.

    4. Terminates when the final decree is entered or when the petition for dissolution, legal separation or annulment is dismissed.

    G. A person who disobeys or resists an injunction issued pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1, subdivision (b) or subsection C, paragraph 1 of this section is subject to arrest and prosecution for interference with judicial proceedings pursuant to section 13-2810 and the following procedures apply:

    1. Any party may cause a certified copy of the injunction and return of service on the other party to be registered with the sheriff having jurisdiction of the area in which the party resides. The party originally registering the injunction shall register any changes or modifications of the injunction with the sheriff. For enforcement by arrest and prosecution for interference with judicial proceedings, a certified copy of the injunction, whether or not registered with the sheriff, is presumed to be a valid existing order of the court until a final decree of dissolution, legal separation or annulment is entered or the action for dissolution or legal separation is dismissed.

    2. A peace officer, with or without a warrant, may arrest a person if the peace officer has probable cause to believe that an offense under this subsection has been committed and has probable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed the offense, whether the offense is a felony or a misdemeanor and whether such offense was committed within or without the presence of the peace officer. The release procedures available under section 13-3883, subsection A, paragraph 4 and section 13-3903 are not applicable to arrests made pursuant to this subsection.

    3. A peace officer making an arrest pursuant to this subsection is not civilly or criminally liable for the arrest if the officer acts on probable cause and without malice.

    4. A person arrested pursuant to this subsection may be released from custody in accordance with the rules of criminal procedure or other applicable statute. An order for release, with or without an appearance bond, shall include pretrial release conditions necessary to provide for the protection of the alleged victim and other specifically designated persons and may provide additional conditions that the court deems appropriate, including participation in any counseling programs available to the defendant.

    5. The remedies provided in this subsection for enforcement of the preliminary injunction are in addition to any other civil or criminal remedies available, including civil contempt of court. The use of one remedy does not prevent the simultaneous or subsequent use of any other.

    H. For the purposes of this section, "liquid assets" means:

    1. Cash.

    2. Traveler's checks.

    3. Cash in financial institutions.

    4. Lottery winnings.