If you’re thinking about getting divorced, you might be wondering what the process looks like in practice. Well, it’s both complex and emotional. There were roughly 746,971 divorces in 2019, and if you’re currently facing divorce, this guide can help.
Here is a look at what you can expect during the divorce process.
Filing for Divorce: Step 1
First, you’ll need to file for divorce. You can do this by filing a petition with the court. The petition will state the grounds for divorce and list the facts that support your claim. You must also file a summons, which will notify your spouse that you are filing for divorce.
Serving Your Spouse with Divorce Papers
After you file for divorce, you must serve your spouse with the divorce papers. This occurs by having someone hand them to your spouse or by mailing them to your ex’s home address. If your ex lives out of state, you may have to serve them through the mail.
The Divorce Proceedings
Once you’ve served your spouse with the divorce papers, they have a certain amount of time to respond. If they do not respond, the court will likely grant you a default divorce. If they do respond, the divorce process will begin. The process involves several steps, including:
- Temporary Orders
- Discovery
- Mediation
- Trial
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Temporary Orders
One of the first steps in the divorce process is to ask the court for temporary orders. This is a set of orders that will stay in effect until the divorce is finalized. The orders will typically address issues such as child custody, child support, and spousal support.
Discovery
In the divorce industry, discovery is a process where each side gathers information about the other side’s case. This is done through written questions called interrogatories. They’ll send requests for documents and do depositions.
Mediation
If the parties are able to resolve their disputes through mediation, then the divorce can proceed without a trial. Mediation is a process where the parties meet with a mediator to try and resolve their differences.
If an agreement is reached, the mediator will put it in writing and the divorce will proceed without a trial.
Trial
If the parties are unable to resolve their disputes through mediation, then the case will go to trial. At trial, each side will present their case to the court. The court then issues a ruling on the problems in dispute.
The Finalization of Your Divorce
Once all of the steps in the divorce process have been completed, the divorce is finalized. This means that the marriage is legally terminated, and each party is free to go their separate ways.
No Longer a Lovely Couple: The Divorce Process
If you’re considering a divorce, or are in the middle of one, we hope this article has helped to clear some things up for you. We wish you the best during your divorce process.
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