How to Divorce
Once you have considered the relevant factors and have decided to file for divorce from your spouse, you will need to learn how it works. While divorce is an adversarial action by definition, pitting spouse against spouse, the following articles and legal resources are tailored toward helping individuals navigate the process as smoothly as possible. This section covers no fault divorce law, where to file for divorce, serving and answering a divorce petition, the discovery process, divorce records and related privacy issues, child support and custody information, divorce mediation and more. Articles about the family court process also are included. To get an overview of the divorce process, download FindLaw's Guide to Getting a Divorce [pdf].
- Where to File for Divorce
The process and requirements for filing divorce often differ depending on the state, county, or district. In this section, you’ll find a number of considerations to keep in mind when determining where to file.
- Eligibility for Summary Divorce
Summary divorce is a streamlined divorce process that can save you time and money. Learn about the advantages of summary divorce and the eligibility requirements involved.
- Filing and Serving the Divorce Petition
A guide to "serving" divorce papers on your spouse. This section provides information on the process and requirements of serving divorce papers, including where to file the petition and how to serve it.
- Answering the Divorce Petition
Information on what to do after you’ve been served with divorce papers. Learn about what the answer should contain and the consequences of failing to respond to divorce papers.
- Divorce Residency Requirements FAQ
Answers to frequently asked questions on residency and domicile, out-of-state divorces, and the effect of residency on child custody determinations, including a listing of durational residency requirements by state.
- Settlement Agreements and Court Approval
Most divorce cases reach a settlement before having to go to trial. This section provides information on settlement agreements, partial settlement, the advantages of settling, and court approval.
- A Divorce Timeline
- An Overview of No Fault and Fault Divorce Law
- Answering the Divorce/Dissolution Petition
- Appeals and Motions to Modify the Divorce Judgment
- Changing Your Name After Divorce
- Collaborative Divorce: Overview
- Divorce and Out-of-Court Proceedings: Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Divorce Records and Privacy
- Divorce Residency FAQ's
- Eligibility for "Summary" Divorce / Dissolution
- Exchange of Documents and Information - "Discovery"
- Facebook Divorce
- Family Court and Final Judgment
- Family Court Decisions: Temporary Orders
- Filing and Serving the Divorce/Dissolution Petition
- How Collaborative Divorce Works: FAQs
- Marriage, Divorce, Taxes and Your Social Security Number
- Military Divorce NEW!
- Settlement Agreements and Court Approval
- The Divorce Process: Do's and Don'ts
- Uncontested Divorce
- Where to File for Divorce