Determine your eligibility to file (residency requirements, grounds, and whether you can file jointly or only separately)
Choose where to file (county and state/province/country court that has jurisdiction)
Gather required information (full legal names, addresses, dates of birth, marriage date, separation date, children’s details, and current income/employment info)
Decide whether you want an uncontested or contested divorce
Collect financial documents (pay stubs, tax returns, bank/retirement account statements, credit cards, debts, property deeds or titles, and insurance)
Prepare the required court forms (petition/application for divorce, summons/citation, parenting plan or custody forms if applicable, financial disclosures, and any cover sheets)
Complete the forms accurately and completely using your legal names and current information
File the forms with the court clerk and pay the filing fee or request a fee waiver if eligible
Serve the other spouse (process server, sheriff/marshal, or other authorized method) and file proof of service with the court
Wait for the response period and track deadlines
If uncontested, submit any required settlement agreements and proposed orders for the court to review
If contested, file additional documents as required (responses, motions, disclosures, discovery requests, and proposed parenting/financial orders)
Attend required hearings (case management, temporary orders, mediation, and final hearing)
Follow court orders while the case is pending (temporary custody/support/spending restrictions, if issued)
Finalize the divorce judgment (signing by the judge and receiving the final decree/order)
Update records after the divorce (name change documents if applicable, beneficiaries, insurance, and legal documents)
Review and implement custody/support/asset division orders as finalized