I do not know your rights in Arizona. One respondent gave you a list to check for eviction statutes. Start there. I believe, however, that you permitted these people to stay in your house for free, you "let them stay". If the police will interpret their continued presence as "trespass", then maybe you can avoid the eviction process. On the other hand, if you accepted any money, anything of value, from them, they can claim they are renters and subject to the more lengthy eviction process. You can avoid lawyers by going to small claims court, but they can appear also, contest it on some basis. If the s.c. court judge rules in your favor, then you have to wait for the appeal timeline to expire before getting Sheriff to evict them personally. I have, on occasion, spent the money on a Superior court suit, with a lawyer, in order to keep the other party from artificially delaying the process. The defendant has to pay a lawyer to appear in court, something a con artist will not, or cannot do. Once you have a judgement, usually issued right there on the spot, you can evict them. Be sure, however, that you have all the documentation and meanwhile, do not accept anything from them. Acceptance creates a "rental" relationship, resets the timeline for suing. Also, spend the time to find where they are employed, what assets they have (car, bank account, etc). All too often, squatters will destroy the property before they leave it. In hindsight, you were foolish to "let them stay", or even to rent to them. If and when they leave, be ready with a locksmith to change the locks and perhaps some inexpensive alarm system to alert neighbors of any subsequent breakins.
