For people going through a divorce or custody case in Maricopa County Superior Court, probably the first interaction they will have with a judge will be at something called a Resolution Management Conference (RMC). In Arizona, the Court is likely to schedule this conference shortly after a petition or a motion for relief has been filed. It can also be scheduled upon request of a party.

What Is a Resolution Management Conference?

The Resolution Management Conference is a short 15- to 30-minute meeting in which the parties and/or their attorneys are required to appear before the judge to discuss the case and explore ways their dispute can be resolved. The purpose of the RMC is to streamline the litigation process and promote settlement by facilitating agreements.

Typically, no evidence or testimony is presented at the RMC. No arguments are made, and no orders are entered unless the parties are in agreement.

What Happens at an Arizona Resolution Management Conference?

Seven days before the RMC, each party is required to file a Resolution Statement with the Court. In it, the party (without making an argument on who is right or wrong) must state her/his settlement position for each issue in dispute. This will help the judge understand the legal issues and what each party is willing to accept as a settlement.

Depending on how far apart the parties seem to be, the judge can provide various options, or maybe just set a contested hearing or trial.

The parties are required to meet and confer at least five days prior to the conference and try to resolve as many issues as possible. At the RMC, the judge will ask if the parties have reached any agreements. If they have, the terms of the agreement can be placed on the record and approved by the Court as a temporary or permanent order.

The parties may be encouraged to participate in mediation or a settlement conference, or the attorneys may discuss—and the judge can set—timelines for disclosure or discovery.

If there is a discovery dispute and the parties ask the Court for a ruling, the judge can resolve the matter right there at the RMC. The parties could also agree to set a date for a contested hearing or a trial.

These are some of the things that can be accomplished at the RMC in order to move a case along, so that it does not stagnate in the system.

What Are the Benefits of a Resolution Management Conference?

A Resolution Management Conference can be a good way of settling your case in whole or in part, or moving it forward so that the contested issues can be resolved more quickly by settlement or trial. In the end, an RMC can save money for the client by reducing the amount of litigation.

How Can Family Law Attorneys Help?

The Phoenix Family Law attorneys at the law firm of Frank Amar Matura are strong courtroom litigators with years of experience in Family Law. We actively work with our clients to reduce the level of conflict and explore peaceful ways to resolve their disputes.

However, if compromise becomes impossible, your Phoenix Family Law attorneys at Frank Amar Matura will fight aggressively to protect your interests and those of your children.

Contact Our Phoenix Family Law Attorneys

Our experienced Phoenix attorneys can answer your questions and walk you through the procedures involved in a Resolution Management Conference in Arizona. In Maricopa County and beyond, we have helped numerous families navigate the legal system and courts to resolve their issues so they can move forward.

If you are planning to divorce or are involved in a high-conflict family law dispute and need a consultation with an Arizona Family Law attorney, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone at 602-922-9989 or complete our online contact form.

The information contained in this blog post is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, legal advice. Reading this information does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. For advice regarding your individual situation, you should consult with an attorney. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established in writing. To schedule a personal consultation, you can contact us at 602-922-9989 or reach us by email at info@famlawaz.com.