Starting the Process of filing for divorce
 

Assess the situation. Don't make any decisions that you may regret later.

Assess your situation – Most people spend many months planning for their wedding, but no time at all planning for a divorce. Assessing your situation means prioritizing your immediate needs, such as planning to obtain temporary orders if domestic violence is an issue, or planning to obtain child and spousal support where eligible. You should also obtain copies of all deeds to property, vehicle titles, recent bank and checking account statements, insurance policies, retirement accounts, mortgage statements, credit card bills and copies of any other important financial information.

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Place your order for the forms you'll need to file your request with the courts.

Order the forms - Select the form package that best suits your needs, and obtain the set of forms and instructions almost instantly by ordering and downloading on-line.

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Gather information, fill out the forms and make copies.

Complete the forms - Filling out the forms is easy with the assistance of the general instructions provided with each packet. Documents should be typed or printed in black ink. After the forms are completed, you will need to make at least two sets of copies to take with you for filing.

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File your original documents with the court, have copies file stamped.

File the documents - Locate the (appropriate branch of the) family law superior court in your county and take the original and copies of the documents with you, along with the filing fees, unless such fees will be waived by the court.

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Either contact the courts or have an authorized third party serve the other individual.

Serve the documents - Have copies of the filed documents served upon the other party pursuant to the service instructions provided with each packet.

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