How to Get Divorced: A Guide

The decision to get divorced can be as difficult, if not more so, than the choice to get married in the first place. The reasons why someone gets divorced are as varied as the reasons someone gets married. However, whether it’s money troubles, addiction, infidelity, or pure incompatibility that motivates your decision to split, you need to know how to get a divorce.

Unfortunately, the divorce process is filled with lengthy legal documents that can be tricky to navigate. Fortunately, our guide is here to show you how to get divorced the easy way.

Know Your State’s Requirements

One of the biggest barriers to figuring out how to get divorced is the fact that there’s no federal standard in the United States. Divorce requirements can vary widely from state to state, making it difficult or even impossible to file divorce papers unless all of them are met. Common requirements include:

• Waiting period: Many states require a six month waiting period before a divorce gets finalized
• Residency: One or both spouses must be a resident of the state in which the divorce is filed
• Jurisdiction: You have to ensure that all your paperwork goes to the right location, or nothing will get done

Make sure to research your specific state’s requirements before you begin the process.

Try to Negotiate as Much as Possible

Divorces have a reputation for being an acrimonious process. However, you need to figure out how to get divorced without destroying everyone in your immediate vicinity. That requires sitting down and having civilized negotiations with the other party, no matter how angry with them you might be.

In the UK, you can hire the services of companies like Mediate UK to mediate or arbitrate any disputes between yourself and your partner. In the US, you can either handle those discussions in person or in the presence of a divorce lawyer. Whatever you choose, it’s recommended that you get your final negotiation in writing.

Gather the Necessary Paperwork

Let’s face it: To send divorce papers, you need to gather a lot of paperwork before you get started. The documents that you need before you can finalize your divorce include, but are not limited to:

• The Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage
• A Financial Affidavit, a sworn document accounting for both parties’ finances
• Summons, in case your ex-spouse won’t come to court willingly
• A Parental Plan to determine the arrangements for the children
• The Marriage Settlement Agreement, which details alimony, custody, and property distribution

With this paperwork in hand, you now know how to get a divorce without running into bureaucratic trouble.

How to Get Divorced: Let’s Review

Figuring out how to get divorced is a tricky process. However, as long as you do your research, try to negotiate as civilly as possible, and get your paperwork gathered together, the process should not take too long. Failing all else, you can contact a divorce lawyer for further assistance.

Or, if you’d rather do more research on your own, check out our blog each day for more helpful articles like this one.