Arizona's New Domestic Violence Law (HB 2995): What Families Need to Know

Arizona family law changed in a big way on June 22, 2026, when House Bill 2995—known as the Alec and Lydia Act—became law. If domestic violence is part of a divorce, custody, legal decision-making, or parenting time case, this new law changes how Arizona courts must evaluate those issues. The goal is to put the safety of children and victims first while requiring courts to make more detailed findings before making decisions.

What Happened?

HB 2995 updates Arizona's family law by changing how courts handle cases involving domestic violence. Instead of treating domestic violence as just one factor among many, judges are now required to give primary importance to the safety and well-being of the child and the victim when deciding legal decision-making and parenting time. The law also expands the types of behavior the court can consider, including patterns of coercive control, not just physical violence. Judges must also make detailed written findings explaining how they reached their decisions.

What Does This Mean?

If domestic violence is an issue in your family law case, it may have a greater impact on the court's decisions than it did under the previous law.

Some of the most significant changes include:

• The safety of the child and the victim is now the court's top priority.
• Domestic violence allegations and evidence must receive greater consideration.
• Courts must make detailed findings on the record explaining their decisions.
• A parent found to have committed domestic violence faces a rebuttable presumption against receiving legal decision-making, and the court must carefully evaluate whether parenting time can occur safely.
• The law applies not only to new custody cases but may also affect requests to modify existing parenting plans when domestic violence is alleged.

What Should You Do Now?

Whether you are seeking protection or responding to allegations, preparation matters more than ever.

If you're involved in a family law case:

• Keep records of important communications and incidents.
• Save text messages, emails, photographs, police reports, medical records, or other evidence if domestic violence has occurred.
• Do not ignore allegations or assume the court will view them as minor.
• Speak with an experienced family law attorney as early as possible so you understand how this new law may affect your rights and your children.

Every family's situation is different, and the court will continue to evaluate cases based on the facts presented. Having the right information—and the right legal guidance—can make a significant difference.

HB 2995 represents one of the most significant changes to Arizona family law in recent years. Courts are now required to place greater emphasis on child safety and domestic violence when making decisions about legal decision-making and parenting time. If this law affects your family, don't wait until your next court hearing to understand your rights.

At Wheeler Law, we're here to help you navigate these changes, protect your children, and move forward with confidence.



Call us now to schedule a consultation: (602) 586-5625. 

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship with Wheeler Law.