Divorce Basics: What You Need to Know

Grounds and residency requirements

State law sets the reasons a divorce can be granted (grounds) and how long you must have lived in the state before filing (the residency requirement). Every state allows a no-fault divorce — you simply state that the marriage has broken down irreconcilably. A minority of states still allow fault-based grounds (such as adultery or abuse), but fault grounds are rarely required and can make a case longer and more expensive.

Check your state's residency rule first: most states require 6 months to one year of residency before you can file.

Uncontested vs. contested divorce

In an uncontested divorce, both spouses agree on the essential terms — division of property and debts, and a parenting plan if children are involved. The court approves the agreement, often without a hearing.

A contested divorce means one or more issues are disputed. The court must decide those issues, which typically requires additional filings, disclosure of financial information, and possibly hearings. Because we are not attorneys, we refer contested matters — or cases that become contested — to licensed family law attorneys.

What documents are usually involved

A typical divorce file includes a petition (the request to end the marriage), a response from the other spouse, financial disclosure forms, a property settlement agreement, and — for parents — a parenting plan. Some states also require child support worksheets and a certificate from a parent education class.

Missing a required form or formatting it incorrectly is the most common reason courts return filings. Document preparation services exist to get this right the first time.

How long it takes and what it costs

Document preparation is usually finished within 5–10 business days. The divorce itself takes as long as your state's waiting period and the court's schedule allow — for an uncontested case, commonly 2–4 months after filing.

Court filing fees vary by county and are separate from whatever you pay a document preparation service. We offer flat-rate pricing and payment plans precisely so the paperwork side of the process is predictable.

What happens after the judge signs

Once the judge signs the judgment of dissolution, the marriage is legally over. The judgment spells out who keeps what and, where children are involved, the parenting time and support terms. Keep a copy of the final judgment in a safe place — you will need it for name changes, refinancing, or any future modification.