How to Divorce

The divorce process can be expensive and time-consuming. It can also cause heartache and damage to already fragile relationships. Many times, it's best to look for ways to minimize the cost, time, and damage that comes from a traditional contested divorce.

There's no one-size-fits-all method to divorce. If you're not ready to pull the trigger on ending your marriage, you may want to check into your state's separation laws. For couples who are ready, a final divorce may be the best option.

Divorce isn’t the only option when you think your marriage is over. Find out if separation might be a good solution to your marital problems.

Although getting an annulment might seem like a straightforward way to end your marriage, annulments are available for only a small number of marriages.

Learn more about how divorce lawyers work and when you might want to hire one.

Late-life divorce means having to take into account issues that you might not have considered in an earlier divorce. Topics such as health care, retirement, and the needs of adult children all warrant close attention.

You can get a no-fault divorce in any state, but you might want to understand the fault grounds for divorce as well.

What are the differences between an annulment and a traditional divorce?

Is divorce the only option when your marriage is on the rocks? Well, that all depends on what you mean by “divorce”.

Find out what you need to know to get a divorce, including how divorce works, requirements for getting a divorce, and alternatives to battling it out in court.

We've all heard divorce horror stories from friends or family, but did you know that your divorce doesn't need to involve finger-pointing, long court trials, or high legal fees? If you and your spouse are still communicating, you may be able to use your state's faster and less-expensive divorce process.

The law requires you to serve divorce papers on your spouse. If you don’t follow the laws regarding service, you might have to start your divorce all over again.

If you're getting divorced, you might think that your marital property will have to be divided equally with your ex. But that's not always true.

See what Nolo’s national survey showed about typical divorce costs, including what people pay when they hire lawyers and what they spend when they handle their own cases.

A divorce decree is a court order that officially finalizes your divorce. Here’s why you want to have a copy of your divorce decree on hand.

If the potential cost of getting divorced is keeping you up at night, you may be losing sleep unnecessarily. There are cost-effective methods available—but it all depends on your circumstances.

Alimony can be a key issue in divorce, but it's not one-size-fits-all—learn how courts decide support, when it can change, and why settling out of court might be your smartest move.

Get answers to common questions about divorce topics such as who stays in the family house, what community property is, and how courts divide property and debts.

Moving in with someone while you're going through a divorce might be a bad idea in some states.

If you're getting divorced, you might think that your marital property will have to be divided equally with your ex. But that's not always true.

If you’re getting divorced, you might assume that all property in your name is yours to keep. Actually, it’s not always that simple.

Learn the warning signs that your spouse might be concealing assets in your divorce—and what you can do about it.

Ever wonder whether that inheritance you received will be safe if you get divorced? You may not like the answer.

See what Nolo’s national survey showed about typical divorce costs, including what people pay when they hire lawyers and what they spend when they handle their own cases.

The goal of divorce law is to ensure that both spouses walk away from a marriage as close to equal as possible. Divorce has a tendency to bring out the worst in people, and whatever your motivation, if you decide to lie or omit facts in your divorce that will impact the final judgment, you could face serious consequences.

You might need immediate help from a court if you’re involved in a toxic relationship or a bitter divorce—or even if you've being stalked by someone you barely know. Learn about the different kinds of temporary protective orders, how to get them, and what to do if you're facing a TRO.

Learn how to file for divorce in California and what to expect—including the state’s requirements, filing fees, how long you have to wait before your divorce will be final.

Even though you don’t have to prove your spouse’s fault to get a divorce in Hawaii, you’ll still need to meet the state’s residency requirements and follow the court’s procedures to get divorced.

Even though you don’t have to prove your spouse’s fault to get a divorce in Illinois, you’ll still need to meet the state’s residency requirements and follow the court’s procedures to get divorced.

Learn about the process for getting divorced in Indiana, including the reasons for divorce, how to file, and how much you’ll pay in court costs.

In Ohio, a dissolution of marriage is not the same as a divorce. Learn which is right for you, along with how to file and how much you’ll pay in court costs.

Even though you don’t have to prove your spouse’s fault to get a divorce in Oregon, you’ll still need to meet the state’s residency requirements and follow the court’s procedures to get divorced.

Learn about the process for getting divorced in Texas, including the reasons for divorce, how to file, and how much you’ll pay in court costs.

Getting divorced in Florida can be complicated. Not knowing what you’re getting into could be a mistake you’ll regret for years to come.