Every state in the U.S has different laws about divorce. There is no federal divorce law. So it's important to educate yourself about your own jurisdiction's statutes on Marriage Dissolution, Divorce, Child Custody and Alimony, so you know what's typical or required for your state.
Most states, provinces and countries have websites that give citizens access. Some of the details that apply to everyone in the jurisdiction are listed below. Some may be found in statues and some may require information from an attorney as to what the norm is. Below is general information. Specific information provided to clients may only be done by a licensed attorney.
Use the Divorce Facts in Your Jurisdiction to Gather and Organize this Information.
Topics to know in advance
- Residency Requirements
- Grounds for Divorce
- Legal Separation (Six states do not recognize legal separation: Delaware, Texas, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida.) Is it recognized? Where can I find the guidelines?
- Determining Date of Separation
- If served papers, time allowed for responding.
- Property Division: The division could go very differently depending on whether you live in a Community Property State or an Equitable Distribution State.
- Countdown time on Court Calendar once you have filed for marital dissolution (divorce)
- Waiting period between filing Divorce Settlement Agreement and Decree Date.
- Child Custody – Visitation – Time Sharing Guidelines – Parenting Plan Requirement
- Child Support Published Guidelines-Worksheets on online calculators (Do a search for "child support calculator for ___[your state]___")
- Parenting Coordinators – Court Status of Recommendations from Parenting Coordinators.
- Alimony or Spousal Support Guidelines m. Unbundled legal services, limited scope representation and discrete task representation.
- Is there Support for Pro-Se Litigants (Do It Yourself, Self-Represented) available (see links below)
- Guardian ad Litem roles for representing a child’s legal rights
Find out for yourself what the situation is in your state relative to the following areas, as examples of issues where your client may get legal advice. https://statelaws.findlaw.com/ For example:
- Is Divorce referred to by another name, like dissolution of marriage?
- Residency Requirements before filing for divorce in the jurisdiction.
- Is legal Separation an option?
- Is Mediation required by the court?
- Is there a period of separation required before or after filing for divorce?
- Equal Distribution or Equitable Distribution State?
- Considerations for Alimony
- What are the qualifying years for short term marriage vs long term marriage?
- Child custody – support
- What determines the date of separation (start of divorce process)
- Are there Parenting Coordinators?
- Is a Parenting Plan Required to be Filed?
- Is a Parenting Class Required?
- Marital versus non-marital property?
- Is Unbundled Legal Services or Limited Scope Attorney Engagements allowed
Online Resources for Divorce Statutes
Resources for US States Divorce Laws: www.divorcesource.com/ds/main/state-divorce-laws-656
Resources for Canadian Divorce laws: www.canadiandivorcelaws.com
Resources for Australian Divorce Laws: www.familycourt.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/fcoaweb/family-law-matters/separation-and-divorce
Resources for UK Divorce Laws: www.gov.uk/divorce/overview
Child Support Calculators / Spousal Support Calculators (Alimony)
Child support and alimony (spousal support) calculators are online for some U.S. states. Know your state's basic guidelines before you negotiate. (Do a search: child support calculator for [your state])
Resources for High-Conflict Child Custody and Parental Alienation Situations
DV LEAP and the Dept. of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women: Custody Resources
For books on parental alienation during or after divorce, scroll down to Topic 10 in the Life-Saving Divorce book list.
Office of Child Support Enforcement helps you collect back child support if your ex moves to another state: OSCE
Legal Information for Pro-Se Litigants (Representing Yourself without an Attorney)
- Self-Represented Litigation Network: srln.org
- SRLN State-by-State Page with links to forms, court pages, and in many states, court videos on how to represent yourself in your state. Scroll down to the chart showing the states. https://www.srln.org/taxonomy/term/141
- Directory of Legal Aid Websites: LawHelp
- Legal Hotlines: org
- Find Legal Aid by State:Law Help: https://www.lawhelp.org/find-help
- Find Legal Aid by State: Legal Service Center: https://www.lsc.gov/what-legal-aid/find-legal-aid
- Case Study of Legal Aid Helping a Domestic Violence Victim: Legal Action of Wisconsin DV Case Study
- Do an online search to find a family law facilitator or a self-help center in your state (free advice in completing forms):
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- Search: family law facilitator in [your state]
- Search: family law self-help center in [your state]
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- Some law schools have pro bono consulting
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- Search: law schools pro bono in [your state]
- Or call a law school in your state and ask to be connected to the person who handles pro bono family law (or child custody) cases.
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- You may be able to hire paralegals to help you with documentation and filings, but they cannot give legal advice.
- You may be able to hire an attorney to look at a document or help you prepare a document. See “Unbundled Legal Services” below.
Videos on representing yourself in family law court without an attorney (pro-se litigants):
- PRO SE LEGAL BASICS. Playlist of ten short basic videos on representing yourself in family law court
- CHILDREN AND DIVORCE: ON REPRESENTING YOURSELF in family court (State of Indiana Courts, but the general principles may apply in your state too)
Podcasts and Videos with General Tips on Negotiating
Unbundled Services (Legal Services a la Carte)
Some states allow you to get legal advice on just one document, for example to file a form, fill out a form, review a form, or just ask a question, without having to pay a retainer for full legal representation. This is available in California and some other states. Do an online search for: Unbundled divorce legal services in [your state]
Glossary of Divorce Terms
FindLaw: Definitions of Legal Phrases
Helpful Books to Explain the Legal Divorce Process
Nolo Press: Nolo's Essential Guide to Divorce https://store.nolo.com/products/nolos-essential-guide-to-divorce-NODV.html
Helpful Articles
- 8 Common Divorce Questions LINK
- Legal Zoom: 10 Divorce FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce LINK
- 10 Things NOT to Do When You Divorce LINK
- Free and Low-Cost Legal Help: Do an online search for Legal Aid for divorce near me
- 40 Secrets Only Divorce Attorneys Know LINK
- FindLaw - includes a list of questions to ask when hiring an attorney LINK
High-Conflict Divorces
For books on high-conflict divorce, scroll down to Topic 10 in the Life-Saving Divorce book list. LINK
Experts You Might Need
- Family Law Attorneys
- QDRO Attorneys (for dividing up pension, retirement, 401(k) and IRA accounts)
- Family Mediators (including those who are not attorneys)
- Collaborative Law Groups
- Certified Divorce Financial Analysts (CDFA) and Certified Financial Planners (CFP)
- Accountants
- Parenting Coordinators
- Guardian Ad Litem
- Therapists specializing in Personality Disorders, Domestic Violence and Abuse, Substance Abuse
- Family therapists specializing in Abuse, Trauma recovery, EMDR.
- Child Psychologists specializing in different age groups: pre-school/play therapy, elementary, and adolescents/teens, gifted and special needs children.
- Real Estate Agents who might specialize in divorce
- Mortgage brokers
- Divorce Support Groups or Divorce Support Meetups
- Domestic Abuse Resources – Shelters
- Legal Aid Services
- Children and Family Resources