Rule 17. Initial Hearing on a Petition

(a) Attendance at the Initial Hearing. (1) Petitioner. The petitioner must attend the initial hearing on a petition unless the court has specified otherwise. (2) Other Interested Persons and Their Attorneys. (A) No Opposition to Relief Requested in Petition. Unless the court has specified otherwise and except as provided in A.R.S. § 14-5401(D), an interested person who does not oppose the relief requested in the petition is not required to attend the initial hearing. (B) Opposition to Relief Requested in Petition. An interested person who opposes the relief requested in the petition must attend the initial hearing unless the interested person has filed a written response to the petition at least 7 calendar days before the hearing. If the interested person attends the initial hearing, the interested person must notify the court of such person's presence and opposition to the petition. (b) Procedure at the Initial Hearing (1) No Opposition. Except as provided in A.R.S. § 14-5401(D), if no interested person has opposed the relief requested in the petition as provided in Rule 15, the court may decide the issues raised in the petition at the initial hearing without setting additional court events. (2) Opposition. If an interested person has opposed the requested relief as provided in Rule 15, the clerk must note the opposition in the court's minutes and the court must follow the procedures set forth in Rules 27-29 relating to contested matters. (c) Evidence. Evidence may not be presented at the initial hearing if the court has specified that the petitioner is not required to attend the hearing. However, if the petitioner attends the initial hearing, evidence may be presented upon agreement of the parties.