In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependency and/or severance case.
Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.
The following lists the ten most important steps that must be taken to properly file or defend a civil appeal. Detailed descriptions of each step can be found here:
Step 1: Determine when the final judgment was entered by the Clerk of the Superior Court
Step 2: Timely file a "Notice of Appeal" from the final judgment
Step 3: Decide whether a "Cross-Appeal" is appropriate and, if so, timely file a "Notice of Cross-Appeal"
Step 4: Order the necessary transcripts of proceedings conducted in the Superior Court
Step 5: Make satisfactory arrangements for payment
Step 6: File and deliver the proper papers
Step 7: Request additional transcripts
Step 8: Receive a copy of the Index of the Superior Court Clerk
Step 9: File a supersedeas bond with the Clerk of the Superior Court to prevent collection of a money judgment while the appeal is being decided by the Court of Appeals
Step 10: Get the Court of Appeals briefing schedule and pay all fees and file all briefs on time