Resource library
Filing checklist
Filing for divorce without an attorney? Walk into the courthouse with everything you need the first time. Procedure varies by state — this is the common spine.
Before you file
Confirm you meet residency
Every state has a minimum residency period before you can file there — typically three to six months. Your state's family-court website spells it out exactly.
Gather your financial documents
Last two years of tax returns. Most recent paystubs (yours and your spouse's if you have them). Bank, retirement, and brokerage statements. Mortgage and loan statements. Most states require a sworn financial affidavit; these are the inputs.
List the marital property
What was acquired during the marriage. Real estate, vehicles, retirement accounts, household items above a threshold, businesses. Separate property (inheritances, pre-marriage assets) gets listed separately.
If there are children — sketch a parenting plan
Where will the kids live? What's the day-to-day schedule? How are big decisions made? You don't need a final answer — you need a starting point you can defend.
The filing itself
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
The form that starts the case. Names the parties, lists the grounds, and asks the court for the relief you want (divorce, custody arrangement, support, property division).
Summons
The document that tells your spouse a case has been filed and what their deadline to respond is. Almost always must be served formally — by sheriff, process server, or certified mail with return receipt.
Pay the filing fee (or apply for a fee waiver)
Filing fees range from about $100 to $400 depending on the county. Most states have a fee-waiver form for low income; the clerk can hand it to you.
File certified copies
Keep at least three certified copies of every document — one for your records, one to serve, one as a backup.
After filing
Calendar every deadline
Your spouse has a fixed window to respond. You may have follow-on filings (preliminary declarations of disclosure, parenting class certificates) that have their own deadlines. Miss one and your case can pause for months.
Track your hearings
Initial case management, status conferences, temporary-orders hearings. Show up to every one or file the right paperwork to continue it.
Keep a single case folder
Physical or digital, but one place — every filing, every notice, every email. Upload everything to your divorce.talk case so the assistant can read it back to you.