Divorce Process
9 attorney-reviewed answers
Filing procedures, timelines, and steps to finalize a divorce.
Questions in Divorce Process
How Long Should a Couple Stay Separated Before Divorce?
The required separation period before divorce ranges from zero to two years depending on your state. Some states like California and Texas have no mandatory separation, while others like North Carolina require 12 months and Maryland requires six months for mutual consent divorces. Your jurisdiction's laws determine whether separation is even necessary to file.
How Long Do Most Marriages Last Before Divorce?
The average marriage in the United States lasts approximately 8 years before divorce, though this varies significantly by age at marriage, education level, and geographic location. First marriages that end in divorce typically dissolve within the first 7-8 years, with the median duration being slightly shorter at around 7 years.
How to File for Divorce Yourself in Arkansas
To file for divorce yourself in Arkansas, you must meet the 60-day residency requirement, complete the Complaint for Divorce and other required forms, file them with your county circuit clerk, pay the filing fee (typically $150-$165), and serve your spouse. Uncontested divorces can finalize in 30 days after filing.
How Do You File for Divorce Online in Arkansas?
Arkansas does not offer fully online divorce filing through its court system. You must file paper documents with your county circuit clerk, though you can prepare forms online through approved services. Uncontested divorces with agreements on all issues can use simplified procedures, but physical courthouse filing remains required in all 75 Arkansas counties.
How to File for Divorce in Arkansas When You Have Children
To file for divorce in Arkansas with children, you must file a Complaint for Divorce in the circuit court of the county where you or your spouse resides. You'll need to complete parenting plans, child support worksheets, and potentially attend mediation. Arkansas requires a 30-day waiting period after the defendant is served before the divorce can be finalized.
How to File an Uncontested Divorce in Colorado
To file an uncontested divorce in Colorado, both spouses must agree on all issues including property division, support, and parenting. File a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in your county district court, pay the $230 filing fee, wait the mandatory 91-day waiting period, and submit your signed separation agreement for court approval.
How to File for Divorce in Arkansas Without a Lawyer
To file for divorce in Arkansas without a lawyer, you must meet the 60-day residency requirement, complete the required forms (including a Complaint for Divorce), file with your county circuit clerk, pay the filing fee (typically $165), and serve your spouse. Uncontested cases with agreement on all issues are most suitable for self-representation.
What Happens If You Married Someone Who Was Already Married in Texas?
If your spouse's prior divorce was never finalized, your marriage is likely voidable under Texas Family Code § 6.302. Texas treats bigamous marriages as voidable rather than automatically void, meaning your marriage can be annulled — but you may also have legal protections as a putative spouse who married in good faith.
Can I Get My Spouse to Pay My Divorce Attorney Fees in California?
California law allows the lower-earning spouse to request attorney fee contributions from the higher-earning spouse under Family Code § 2030. You can file a Request for Order (FL-300) asking the court to order your wife to pay your legal costs, even before the divorce proceeds.