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].
- Divorce Do's and Don'ts
Tips to help ease the tension in a pending divorce
- No Fault and Fault Divorce Law
Discussion of laws allowing couples to divorce without proof of fault or wrongdoing
- Uncontested Divorce
Learn how to save time and money by filing for an uncontested divorce, including eligibility, benefits, and disadvantages
- Determining Eligibility for "Summary" Divorce
For couples who have been married for a short time and have no children or property together, learn whether "summary" divorce is an option for you
- Where to File for Divorce
State, county, or district residency considerations when filing for divorce
- Divorce Residency Requirements FAQ
Frequently-asked questions on residency and domicile, out-of-state divorces, and affect of residency on child custody, including a listing of durational residency requirements by state
- Filing and Serving the Divorce Petition
Discusses the process and requirements for "serving" divorce papers on your spouse
- Answering the Divorce Petition
Information on what to do after you’ve been served with divorce papers
- Exchange of Documents and Information
Discusses the process for gathering information related to the divorce, including documents, questions, and sworn statements
- Divorce Records and Privacy
Discusses the reasons a court may allow divorce records to be filed "under seal", or away from the public's reach
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
Discusses out-of-court divorce options such as mediation, collaborative law, and arbitration, and whether it's right for you
- Divorce Mediation
Discusses the process of using a third-party mediator to work out the terms of a divorce, including advantages and disadvantages
- Collaborative Family Law
Link to articles discussing the structured and cooperative out-of-court approach to problem solving
- Settlement Agreements and Court Approval
Discussion of settlement agreements and court approval in divorce cases, including final divorce decrees and partial settlement
- Family Court and Final Judgment
Discusses what happens in family court when other methods of divorce settlements do not work
- Family Court Decisions: Temporary Orders
Discusses the importance of temporary orders when couples separate -- especially when children are involved -- including how to request and what happens in the hear
- Family Courts
Includes links to state family courts in all 50 states and D.C.
- Appeals and Motions to Modify the Divorce Judgment
Information on the appeals process and motions to modify or change the final divorce judgment
- 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 Family Law: 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 a Collaborative Law Divorce Works: FAQ's
- Marriage, Divorce, Taxes and Your Social Security Number
- Marriage, Divorce, Taxes and Your Social Security Number
- Military Divorce
- Settlement Agreements and Court Approval
- The Divorce Process: Do's and Don'ts
- Uncontested Divorce
- Where to File for Divorce