HB2152 grants parties the right to a jury trial in key domestic relations cases, including divorce, legal decision-making custody, and parenting-time disputes. A written demand must be filed at least 30 days before trial. The jury may decide on facts such as property classification, community property value, child custody best‑interest factors, relocation requests, spousal maintenance, and allegations such as domestic violence or child abuse. The court must then incorporate the jury’s factual findings when issuing final orders regarding support, parenting time, and maintenance. These provisions give families an option to resolve factual disputes through a jury rather than solely relying on a judge.
The Arizona State House of Representatives passed HB2152 on March 4, 2025 by a vote of 33 to 25. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this bill reinforces the constitutionally protected right to a jury trial in civil matters by extending that protection to key domestic and family relations cases. The Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution affirms that “the right of trial by jury shall be preserved,” which strengthens due process and restores a critical check on judicial power.
