--- name: az-file-packet description: > Use when assembling and filing a complete Arizona court motion or pleading packet. Triggers include "file an Arizona court packet", "assemble Arizona filing", "AZTurboCourt e-filing", "how do I e-file in Arizona", "what documents do I file with my Arizona motion", "Arizona filing checklist", "redact sensitive data Arizona", "protect sensitive information Arizona filing", "Arizona filing fee", "fee deferral A.R.S. 12-302", "defer or waive Arizona court fees", "do I file on paper or electronically in Arizona". Walks through assembling the multi-document packet (motion + memorandum + proposed form of order + affidavit/declaration + certificate of service + exhibits), the AZTurboCourt e-filing channel and whether it is mandatory in the venue, the Arizona sensitive-data redaction rule, the filing-fee question and the A.R.S. § 12-302 deferral/waiver, and paper filing where applicable. version: 0.1.0 --- # Assemble an Arizona Court Filing Packet > **NOT LEGAL ADVICE.** This skill walks through filing mechanics. > Verify the e-filing platform, document types, fees, redaction > rule, and pro-se acceptance with the filing court's clerk before > submitting. Use this skill when ready to **submit** an Arizona trial-court filing. First determine the **filing channel** for the venue, then assemble and preflight the multi-document packet. ## Arizona e-filing — AZTurboCourt **AZTurboCourt** is the Arizona Judicial Branch's statewide e-filing portal. E-filing is **mandatory for represented (attorney) filers in many Superior Courts** for many case types, while **self-represented filers may generally e-file or paper-file** — but coverage and mandates vary by court and case type. Before assuming the channel, confirm for the specific court: 1. **Whether AZTurboCourt is live** in that court for the case type; 2. **Whether e-filing is mandatory** (typically for attorneys) or whether paper / over-the-counter filing is still accepted; and 3. The court's accepted document types and any document-naming convention. Where the court is not on AZTurboCourt for the case type, file on **paper** at the clerk's window (see below). **Justice Court filing differs** — many Justice Courts use a different e-filing pathway or take paper; see `az-justice-courts`. ## E-filing workflow (AZTurboCourt) The portal shape is consistent across courts: 1. Register / log in to an AZTurboCourt account 2. Search for the case by case number or party name (or start a new case for an initial filing) 3. Select the court, case category, and the **filing / document type** for each component 4. Upload each component as a **separate PDF** (text-searchable; verify any size / bookmark requirements for long filings) 5. Pay any filing fee, or attach the **A.R.S. § 12-302** deferral / waiver application 6. Submit; the system returns a filing confirmation / file-stamp and may effect electronic service on registered parties ## Paper filing (courts / case types not on AZTurboCourt) Where e-filing is unavailable, bring clean copies to the clerk's window during business hours; the clerk file-stamps the original and returns a stamped copy. Confirm whether the court accepts mail or drop-box filings, and how many copies (judge's copy / conformed copy) the court wants. ## Multi-document packet — typical components A standard Arizona motion packet consists of these documents: | # | Document | Authority / note | |---|----------|------| | 1 | Motion | Ariz. R. Civ. P. 7.1 | | 2 | Memorandum / supporting argument | Ariz. R. Civ. P. 7.1; page limits are local | | 3 | Affidavit or declaration | Sworn affidavit or unsworn declaration; Ariz. R. Evid. 803(6) records foundation | | 4 | Exhibits | Attach written instruments referenced in the motion | | 5 | Proposed form of order | Submitted with the motion; see `az-submit-order` | | 6 | Certificate of Service | Ariz. R. Civ. P. 5(c) — date, method, recipients | Choose the closest matching document-type label in the AZTurboCourt menu; the menus vary by court and case category. ## Sensitive / personal information — redaction Arizona **restricts sensitive and personal information** in court filings. Before filing, review every component (including exhibits) and handle protected data as the governing rule requires — generally by **omitting or partially redacting** identifiers such as Social Security / financial-account numbers and similar data, and using any required **sensitive-data cover sheet / addendum** mechanism where the data must reach the court but be kept out of the public file. > Verify the exact rule and procedure against `az-law-references` — > the sensitive-data duty is **Ariz. R. Civ. P. 5.1(e)** (refrain > from including Social Security and financial-account numbers; only > the last 4 digits may be used; the redaction responsibility rests > solely with the filer), and **Ariz. R. Civ. P. 5.4** separately > governs sealing a document / restricting public access. Confirm the > precise list of protected identifiers, the partial-redaction > format, and whether a sensitive-data cover sheet is required. The > filing court may have additional local requirements. The filing party is responsible for the redaction; the clerk does not redact for you. ## Preflight — run the helper scripts Before assembling the packet: ``` # Format / caption + form check python3 plugins/az-court-docs/scripts/format-check.py path/to/filing.docx # Deadline arithmetic — Ariz. R. Civ. P. 6 computation, Rule 5(c) # service add-ons, with Arizona court-holiday handling python3 plugins/az-court-docs/scripts/case-calendar.py ... ``` Use `case-calendar.py` to confirm any hearing lead time and to compute response deadlines with the applicable service add-on. ## Filing fees Filing fees are set by statute and the clerk's fee schedule and vary by court and case type. **Confirm the current amount with the filing court's clerk** before submitting; do not hard-code a figure. Pay by the portal's accepted method (card / e-check) or at the clerk's cashier window for paper filings. ### Fee deferral / waiver — A.R.S. § 12-302 A filer who cannot afford the fees may apply to **defer** or **waive** filing fees and costs under **A.R.S. § 12-302**. A **deferral** postpones payment (fees become due later, often as a payment plan); a **waiver** excuses them outright. File the application with the first filing rather than paying and seeking a refund. The court reviews the application and enters an order granting, denying, deferring, or waiving fees. Verify the current § 12-302 standard and the operative application form with the clerk. See `az-pro-se`. ## Filing vs. service — two distinct steps Filing with the court is **not** the same as serving the opposing party: 1. **Filing** — through AZTurboCourt or at the clerk's window. 2. **Service of process** (initial summons + complaint) — under **Ariz. R. Civ. P. 4 / 4.1 / 4.2**, with the summons issued under Rule 4 (verify the current summons life / return period). 3. **Service of subsequent papers** (motions, notices, orders) — under **Ariz. R. Civ. P. 5**, on every party by an allowed method; document it in the **Certificate of Service** under Rule 5(c). Add the applicable service period under Rule 6 when service is by mail or other non-personal method. If AZTurboCourt performs electronic service on registered parties, a party without an e-filing account must still be served by another allowed Rule 5 method — confirm the portal's e-service coverage for each party. ## Pre-filing checklist | Check | Done | |-------|------| | Filing channel identified (AZTurboCourt vs. paper) and mandatory-vs-optional confirmed for the court + case type | ☐ | | `scripts/format-check.py` run; no FAIL | ☐ | | `scripts/case-calendar.py` confirms any hearing lead time + service add-on | ☐ | | `az-quality-check` pre-filing review complete | ☐ | | `az-fact-check` deep audit complete (high-stakes filing) | ☐ | | Caption (court / county / case number) matches across all documents | ☐ | | Exhibits attached and referenced | ☐ | | Proposed form of order drafted as a separate document | ☐ | | Each component saved as a separate text-searchable PDF | ☐ | | Signature block compliant — bar # (attorney) or self-represented designation | ☐ | | Certificate of Service shows method, date, recipients (Ariz. R. Civ. P. 5(c)) | ☐ | | Sensitive / personal information handled per the Arizona redaction rule (cover sheet where required) | ☐ | | Filing fee available, or A.R.S. § 12-302 deferral/waiver application ready | ☐ | | Service-of-process plan (Rule 4 et seq.) / service-of-papers plan (Rule 5) ready | ☐ | ## Composition - For statewide format baseline: `az-statewide-format` - For drafting each component: `az-draft-motion`, `az-draft-declaration`, `az-draft-order`, `az-draft-note` - For pre-filing review: `az-quality-check` (lighter) and `az-fact-check` (deep evidentiary) - For clearing the hearing date and the Notice of Hearing: `az-schedule-hearing` - For court-specific filing channels and local rules: `az-maricopa`, `az-pima`, `az-superior-courts`, `az-justice-courts` - For pro-se filers (A.R.S. § 12-302 deferral/waiver, self-represented conventions): `az-pro-se` - For deadline arithmetic: `az-deadlines` - For post-hearing order submission: `az-submit-order` ## References - `az-law-references` for Ariz. R. Civ. P. 4, 4.1, 4.2, 5, 6, and 7.1 text, the sensitive-data redaction duty under Rule 5.1(e), and the separate sealing/restricted-access rule at Rule 5.4 - The AZTurboCourt portal and the filing court's clerk for the current e-filing status, document types, and fee schedule - Confirm whether e-filing is mandatory in the venue before assuming a channel — and remember Justice Court filing may differ (`az-justice-courts`).