What is a Stipulated Order in a Family Law Case?
Family law cases are often fraught with emotional tension and can lead to multiple court hearings, or even trial, where a judge, rather than the parties themselves, decides the terms of the case’s outcome.
However, if the involved parties are able to come to an agreement about any of the issues involved in their case, they can remove the need to go to court by signing a stipulated order, which a judge may approve and sign without the need for a hearing. Signing a stipulation is typically a more efficient, and less expensive, method of formalizing their terms.
Stipulations in family law cases will only address factual terms and procedures. They will not include theoretical information. They often are the result of Rule 69 agreements.
Stipulated orders make the terms of the stipulated agreement an official court order that is legally binding. As such, the parties should always have an attorney involved in the drafting and review of stipulations to prevent future litigation due to errors or terms that lack the best interest of the parties. Courts rarely overturn stipulated orders once they are signed unless they demonstrate clear inequitability between the parties.
While not an exhaustive list, stipulated orders are commonly seen in family law cases regarding:
- Legal decision-making (child custody)
- Parenting time (visitation)
- Spousal maintenance (alimony)
- Division of property and/or debt
- Child support
- Parenting plans
If you are going through a family law case, call Rideout Law Group today to work with you through your case and uphold your best interests in any stipulated order.
Rideout Law Group handles cases throughout the entire state of Arizona, with offices located in Scottsdale and Lake Havasu City. Our attorneys are experienced in handling family law cases that involve stipulations. For a free consultation, call 480-584-3328.