Divorce

The Complete Divorce Checklist

A comprehensive divorce checklist covering everything you need before, during, and after filing, from financial documents and legal steps to post-divorce account updates.

Divorce Papers Explained

Understand all the divorce papers you will encounter, from the initial petition and financial disclosures to the final decree. Learn what each document contains and how to file.

How to File for Divorce

Learn how to file for divorce step by step, including required documents, filing fees, serving papers, and whether you need an attorney.

14 min read · Updated March 2026

The Complete Guide to Divorce

Everything you need to know about the divorce process, from filing to finalization. Understand the steps, costs, timeline, and what to expect.

Types & Process

Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce

Contested vs uncontested divorce: compare costs, timelines, and processes. Uncontested averages $1,500-$5,000 while contested runs $15,000-$50,000+.

How Long Does a Divorce Take?

How long does divorce take? Uncontested divorces average 2-6 months, contested cases 6-18 months, and trials 1-3 years. Learn what affects your timeline.

Legal Separation vs. Divorce

Understand the key differences between legal separation vs divorce, including legal implications, property rights, and when separation makes more sense than divorce.

No-Fault Divorce Explained

Learn what no-fault divorce means, how it works in all 50 states, and why most couples choose it over fault-based grounds. Covers filing steps and key advantages.

Uncontested Divorce: Complete Guide

Uncontested divorce is faster and cheaper than contested divorce, averaging $1,500-$5,000 and 2-6 months. Learn the process, requirements, and state rules.

Michigan's No-Fault Divorce Process Explained

Learn how Michigan's no-fault divorce process works, including residency requirements, waiting periods, the role of the Friend of the Court, and what no-fault means for property and custody.

No-Fault Divorce in Pennsylvania: Mutual Consent vs. Separation

Understand Pennsylvania's two no-fault divorce paths — mutual consent and separation — including the 90-day waiting period, 1-year separation rule, and how the process works.

How to Get an Uncontested Divorce in Georgia

A step-by-step guide to filing an uncontested divorce in Georgia, including requirements, the 30-day waiting period, costs, and whether you need an attorney.

Iowa No-Fault Divorce Process

How Iowa's no-fault divorce works — filing requirements, the 90-day waiting period, costs, and what to expect.

Alternatives

Collaborative Divorce: How It Works

Learn how collaborative divorce works, including the process, cost, professionals involved, advantages, disadvantages, and who it is best suited for.

Special Situations

Divorce and Taxes: What You Need to Know

Understand how divorce and taxes intersect, including filing status changes, alimony rules post-2018, property transfers, claiming dependents, and retirement accounts.

Divorce with Children: What to Know

A practical guide to divorce with children covering custody, child support, parenting plans, minimizing emotional impact, and co-parenting strategies for every age group.

How Much Does a Divorce Cost?

Find out how much divorce costs in 2026, including filing fees, attorney fees, mediation, and hidden expenses. Get cost breakdowns by divorce type.

Finding Help

How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer

Learn how to choose a divorce lawyer with confidence. Covers what to look for, questions to ask, fee structures, red flags, and when you actually need one.

More Guides

Divorce and Health Insurance

Understand how divorce affects health insurance. Covers losing spousal coverage, COBRA options and costs, marketplace plans, children's coverage, and military rules.

Divorce Mediation vs. Litigation

Divorce mediation vs litigation: compare costs, timelines, and outcomes. Mediation averages $5,000-$10,000 while litigation runs $15,000-$50,000 or more.

Date of Separation in California Divorce

Learn how the date of separation is determined in California divorce, including the FC 70 standard, the Marriage of Davis legacy, the 2017 legislative change under AB 1091, and how it affects property division, earnings, and Epstein credits.

California Community Property Rules in Divorce

Understand how California divides marital property in divorce. Learn what counts as community property, how characterization disputes work, and key concepts like transmutation, Epstein credits, and business valuation.

Equitable Distribution in Florida Divorce

Learn how Florida courts divide marital property using equitable distribution under FL Stat 61.075, including the factors judges weigh, marital vs nonmarital property, and how to protect your interests.

Simplified Dissolution of Marriage in Florida

Learn how Florida's simplified dissolution process works under FL Stat 61.052(2), including eligibility requirements, filing steps, costs, and how it compares to a regular divorce.

Dividing Retirement Accounts in Illinois Divorce

Learn how Illinois divides 401(k)s, pensions, IRAs, and military retirement in divorce under 750 ILCS 5/503, including the coverture fraction, QDRO process, and common tax traps.

Parenting Time Schedules in Illinois

Learn how Illinois allocates parenting time under 750 ILCS 5/602.7, including standard schedules, equal parenting time, holiday arrangements, and best interest factors.

Property Division in Michigan Divorce

Understand how Michigan divides property in divorce through equitable distribution. Learn about marital vs. separate property, invasion of separate assets under the Dart factors, business valuation, retirement division, dissipation, and the date of valuation.

The Contested Divorce Process in New York

Understand the contested divorce process in New York, including filing options, the preliminary conference, discovery, motion practice, mandatory settlement conferences, and trial.

Property Division in New York Divorce

Understand how New York courts divide property in divorce under DRL 236(B), including equitable distribution, the 13 statutory factors, marital vs separate property, and business valuation.

Dissolution vs. Divorce in Ohio: Which Path Is Right?

Understand the key differences between dissolution and divorce in Ohio, including timelines, costs, legal requirements, and how to decide which option fits your situation.

Property Division Factors in Ohio Divorce

Learn how Ohio courts divide marital property using equitable distribution, including the 12 statutory factors, valuation dates, and treatment of business interests.

How Pennsylvania Divides Marital Property

Understand Pennsylvania equitable distribution under 23 Pa.C.S. 3502, including the 11 statutory factors, marital vs. non-marital property, and how courts handle pensions, businesses, and professional degrees.

Equitable Distribution of Property in North Carolina

Learn how North Carolina divides marital property through equitable distribution under NCGS 50-20 and 50-21. Understand the 12 distributional factors, the distinction between marital, divisible, and separate property, and why you must file before your divorce is final.

North Carolina's One-Year Separation Requirement for Divorce

Understand North Carolina's mandatory one-year separation period before filing for divorce. Learn what counts as living separate and apart, how to handle date of separation disputes, and the difference between divorce from bed and board and absolute divorce.

Filing for Divorce in Texas Without Your Spouse's Consent

Learn how to file for divorce in Texas even if your spouse does not agree. Understand insupportability, service by publication, default judgments, and the 60-day waiting period.

Military Divorce in Texas

Understand the unique legal issues in Texas military divorces, including federal preemption under USFSPA, the 10/10 rule, dividing military retirement, SCRA protections, BAH/BAS treatment, and jurisdiction for service members.

Grounds for Divorce in Georgia

A comprehensive guide to all 13 grounds for divorce in Georgia, including the no-fault option and 12 fault-based grounds, with strategic considerations for each.

Annulment vs Divorce: Key Differences

The differences between annulment and divorce — grounds for annulment, how the process works, property and custody implications, and which option is right for you.

Divorce After a Long Marriage

Special considerations for divorce after 20+ years — Social Security, retirement, alimony, property division, and rebuilding your financial life.

Filing for Divorce Without a Lawyer

A guide to filing for divorce without an attorney — when DIY divorce works, the process, forms you need, common mistakes, and when you should hire a lawyer.

High-Conflict Divorce: What to Know

How to navigate a high-conflict divorce — strategies for dealing with an uncooperative spouse, protecting yourself, managing costs, and reaching resolution.

11 min read · Updated March 2026

Military Divorce: A Complete Guide

How military divorce differs from civilian divorce — jurisdiction, SCRA protections, pension division, BAH, healthcare, and custody with deployment.

Online Divorce Services: What to Know

How online divorce services work, what they cost, when they're a good option, and their limitations compared to working with an attorney.

Same-Sex Divorce: What You Need to Know

Legal considerations unique to same-sex divorce — property division, child custody, duration of marriage questions, and state-specific issues.

Alabama Divorce: Grounds, Process, and What to Expect

How divorce works in Alabama — grounds, residency requirements, filing fees, waiting periods, and the step-by-step process.

Alaska Divorce: Equitable Distribution Rules

How Alaska divides property in divorce — equitable distribution factors, marital vs separate property, and what courts consider.

Arkansas Divorce: Grounds and Residency Requirements

How to file for divorce in Arkansas — residency requirements, fault and no-fault grounds, filing fees, and the divorce process.

Delaware Divorce: Filing, Grounds, and Process

How to file for divorce in Delaware — residency requirements, grounds, filing fees, and what to expect during the process.

Indiana Divorce: Process and Grounds

How to file for divorce in Indiana — residency requirements, grounds, filing fees, waiting period, and the step-by-step process.

Kentucky Divorce: Filing and Residency Requirements

Everything you need to know about filing for divorce in Kentucky — residency requirements, no-fault grounds, the 60-day waiting period, filing fees, mandatory disclosure, and how property is divided under equitable distribution.

Kansas Divorce: Process and Property Division

How divorce works in Kansas — filing requirements, property division rules, waiting period, and the step-by-step process.

Maine Divorce Process

A comprehensive guide to the Maine divorce process, including residency requirements, no-fault grounds, the 60-day waiting period, filing fees, mediation requirements, and equitable distribution of property.

Maryland Divorce: Grounds and Process

A comprehensive guide to Maryland's modernized divorce laws, including the 2023 reforms that eliminated most fault grounds, the mutual consent ground, the reduced separation period, filing fees, and equitable distribution.

Massachusetts Divorce: 1A vs 1B Process

Understand the difference between a 1A (uncontested) and 1B (contested) divorce in Massachusetts, including residency requirements, no-fault grounds, filing fees, the nisi period, and equitable distribution of property.

Minnesota Divorce: Process and Property Division

A complete guide to the Minnesota divorce process, covering residency requirements, no-fault grounds, filing fees, equitable distribution of marital vs. non-marital property, mandatory parenting education, and the Early Neutral Evaluation option.

Missouri Divorce: Process and Property Division

A comprehensive guide to the Missouri divorce process, including residency requirements, no-fault grounds, the 30-day waiting period, filing fees, equitable distribution of marital property, and mandatory parenting classes.

Mississippi Divorce: Fault and No-Fault Grounds

A comprehensive guide to Mississippi's 12 fault-based grounds for divorce and the no-fault option of irreconcilable differences, including residency requirements, filing fees, and property division.

Montana Divorce: Process and Residency Requirements

Learn how to file for divorce in Montana, including the 90-day residency requirement, no-fault grounds, filing fees, Summary Dissolution, equitable distribution, and conciliation court options.

Nevada Divorce: Residency and Quick Divorce Options

Everything you need to know about Nevada's 6-week residency requirement, no-fault grounds, joint petitions, summary divorce, and how to seal divorce records.

New Jersey Divorce: Process and Grounds

A complete guide to filing for divorce in New Jersey — residency requirements, no-fault and fault-based grounds, filing fees, the step-by-step process, and equitable distribution of assets.

New Hampshire Divorce: Process and Grounds

A complete guide to New Hampshire divorce — residency requirements, fault and no-fault grounds, filing fees, equitable distribution, and step-by-step process.

North Dakota Divorce: Grounds and Process

A comprehensive guide to divorce in North Dakota — residency requirements, no-fault and fault-based grounds, filing fees, equitable distribution, and the step-by-step process.

Oklahoma Divorce: Grounds and Process

A comprehensive guide to divorce in Oklahoma — residency requirements, no-fault and fault-based grounds, filing fees, mandatory waiting periods, equitable distribution, and the step-by-step process.

Rhode Island Divorce: Process and Waiting Period

Learn about Rhode Island's divorce process, including the one-year residency requirement, no-fault and fault grounds, the nominal divorce timeline, filing fees, and equitable distribution rules.

South Dakota Divorce: Grounds and Process

A complete guide to South Dakota divorce, including no-fault and fault-based grounds, residency requirements, filing fees, the 60-day waiting period, equitable distribution, and the step-by-step process under SDCL Chapter 25-4.

South Carolina Divorce: Grounds and Separation Requirements

A complete guide to South Carolina divorce grounds, the one-year continuous separation requirement for no-fault divorce, fault-based grounds, residency rules, filing fees, and equitable distribution under SC Code Section 20-3-10.

Tennessee Divorce: Grounds and Process

A complete guide to filing for divorce in Tennessee — residency requirements, no-fault and fault grounds, waiting periods, filing fees, equitable distribution, and mandatory parenting education.

Utah Divorce: Process and Waiting Period

A complete guide to filing for divorce in Utah — residency requirements, no-fault and fault grounds, mandatory waiting periods, filing fees, divorce education class, and mandatory mediation for custody disputes.

Vermont Divorce Process

A comprehensive guide to the Vermont divorce process, covering residency requirements, no-fault grounds, filing fees, equitable distribution, mandatory parent education, and key timelines under Vermont family law.

Virginia Divorce: Grounds and Separation Requirements

A detailed guide to Virginia divorce grounds and separation requirements, including no-fault separation periods, fault-based grounds, residency requirements, filing fees, equitable distribution, and the distinction between a divorce from bed and board and a divorce from the bond of matrimony.

Wyoming Divorce: Process and Property Division

How to file for divorce in Wyoming — residency requirements, no-fault grounds, filing fees, the 20-day waiting period, and equitable distribution of property. What you need to know about Wyoming's divorce process.

West Virginia Divorce: Process and Grounds

Understand how divorce works in West Virginia, including residency requirements, no-fault and fault-based grounds, filing fees, the equitable distribution framework, and what to expect at each stage.