1
Identify Eligibility for Divorce
You or your spouse must make a case that there has been a breakdown in the marriage and it cannot be preserved.2
File and Answer Complaint
The summons and complaint must be served to your spouse. He or she has 21 days in-state or 28 days out-of-state to answer the legal notice.3
Temporary Orders
Under special circumstances and pending how amicable the separation is there may be grounds to file motions in court.4
Time for Discovery
Collect all the information you can prior to this step, but this is the time to also get in order any requests for documents that you will need for dividing assets.5
Initial Negotiations
You and your spouse will work together or through your representation to decide the inititial terms for custody, child support, alimony and asset division.6
Mandatory Mediation
The Friend of the Court (FOC) assists the court with custody, parenting time, and child support issues. Among other things, the FOC: Investigates and makes recommendations about custody, parenting time, child support, and medical support. Helping parents settle disputes during and after their case.7
Court Date
You and your spouse will schedule a final date to either review your divorce decree or to make your cases for judgement over any outstanding disputes.8
Settlement Conference
This is another vehicle for spouses to work with their lawyers to resolve issues surrounding custody, visitation, property division, child support, alimony and other terms.9
Final Judgement is Issued & Recorded
The divorce decree, final agreement is reviewed by the court or any unresolved issues are given judgement to be made final. This recorded document will be filed for enforcement.
