Filing for divorce in Indiana without an attorney costs $150-$180 in court fees. You must meet the residency requirement of 6 months in Indiana, 3 months in county. Indiana is a equitable distribution state with a 60 days waiting period. An uncontested divorce typically takes 2-3 months. Victoria AI guides you through every step with Indiana-specific instructions.
Last updated: February 1, 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team
| Filing Fee | $150-$180 (Marion County (Indianapolis): $157. Lake County: $165. Fees are relatively low across Indiana.) |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months in Indiana, 3 months in county |
| Waiting Period | 60 days |
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution (fair, not equal) |
| Grounds for Divorce | Irretrievable breakdown (no-fault), Felony conviction, Impotence at time of marriage, Incurable insanity (2+ years) |
| No-Fault Only? | No (fault grounds available) |
| Uncontested Timeline | 2-3 months |
| Contested Timeline | 6 months to 2+ years |
| Fee Waiver Available? | Yes |
To file for divorce in Indiana, you must meet the following residency requirement: 6 months in Indiana, 3 months in county.
At least one spouse must have been a resident of Indiana for at least 6 months AND a resident of the county for at least 3 months before filing.
Tip: Victoria AI can help you determine if you meet Indiana's residency requirements and guide you through the documentation needed to prove residency.
Follow these steps to file for divorce in Indiana without an attorney. Victoria AI guides you through each step with state-specific instructions.
At least one spouse must have been a resident of Indiana for at least 6 months AND a resident of the county for at least 3 months before filing.
Download the official Indiana divorce forms: Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Summons, Settlement Agreement. All forms are available from the Indiana courts website.
Fill out the divorce petition (State Form 21330) with your information, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting (property division, custody, support).
File your completed petition with the Indiana court and pay the filing fee of $150-$180. Fee waivers are available if you qualify financially.
Properly serve your spouse with the divorce papers according to Indiana rules. Options typically include sheriff service, process server, or certified mail with acknowledgment.
Exchange mandatory financial disclosure documents as required by Indiana law. This typically includes income verification, tax returns, bank statements, and a sworn financial affidavit.
Indiana has a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date of filing. The court cannot finalize the divorce until at least 60 days have passed.
Submit your final judgment to the court. For uncontested divorces in Indiana, this typically takes 2-3 months. The court will issue your final divorce decree.
These are the primary forms you'll need to file for divorce in Indiana. Victoria AI guides you through completing each form correctly.
Initiates divorce
Notifies spouse
Terms of divorce
Final judgment
The filing fee to start a divorce in Indiana is $150-$180. Marion County (Indianapolis): $157. Lake County: $165. Fees are relatively low across Indiana.
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | $150-$180 |
| Service of Process | $50-$100 (varies by method) |
| Certified Copies | $5-$25 per copy |
| Total DIY Uncontested | $250-$1,000 (uncontested DIY) |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Indiana offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You'll need to complete a fee waiver application demonstrating financial hardship. This typically requires showing income below a certain threshold (often 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines) or receiving public assistance benefits.
Victoria can help: Our AI guides you through the fee waiver application process and helps you gather the required documentation.
After filing your divorce petition in Indiana, you must legally "serve" your spouse with the divorce papers. This ensures they receive official notice of the divorce and have an opportunity to respond.
A sheriff, constable, or private process server personally delivers the papers to your spouse. Most reliable method.
Papers sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. Your spouse must sign to acknowledge receipt.
Your spouse voluntarily signs an acknowledgment that they received the papers. Fastest and cheapest option if cooperative.
If your spouse cannot be located, you may be able to publish notice in a newspaper. Requires court approval.
You must file proof of service with the court showing your spouse was properly served. Without valid proof of service, your divorce cannot proceed. Indiana courts are strict about service requirements.
Indiana is a equitable distribution state.
Indiana presumes a 50/50 division of marital property but allows deviation based on factors like each spouse's contribution, economic circumstances, conduct during marriage, and earnings or earning ability.
Victoria's Financial Tools: Our AI-powered financial tools help you identify, categorize, and value marital assets. Victoria can help you understand how Indiana law applies to your specific property.
Indiana uses the Income shares model per Indiana Child Support Guidelines.
Indiana uses income shares guidelines. Combined weekly gross income determines base support, allocated between parents based on income percentages. Adjustments for healthcare, childcare, and parenting time credits apply.
Understanding the timeline helps you plan and set realistic expectations for your Indiana divorce.
When both spouses agree on all terms including property division, custody, and support. This is the fastest and least expensive option.
When spouses cannot agree and need court intervention to resolve disputes. Involves hearings, discovery, and potentially trial.
File Petition
Day 1 - Submit your divorce paperwork and pay the $150-$180 filing fee
Serve Your Spouse
Within 30 days - Ensure proper legal service of divorce papers
Response Period
20-30 days - Your spouse has time to file a response
Waiting Period
60 days - Indiana has a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date of filing. The court cannot finalize the divorce until at least 60 days have passed.
Final Judgment
Court issues your final divorce decree
Speed up your divorce: Victoria AI helps you complete forms correctly the first time, avoiding delays from rejected paperwork. Our checklists ensure you don't miss any steps or deadlines.
Presumes 50/50 property division
60-day mandatory waiting period
Limited fault grounds
Spousal maintenance limited to specific circumstances
Parenting time credits in child support
Common questions about filing for divorce in Indiana without an attorney.
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Indiana-specific forms
Guidance through every required form
Financial disclosure wizard
Complete your financial affidavit step-by-step
Child support calculator
Using Indiana's exact guidelines
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Victoria provides legal information, not legal advice. For advice specific to your case, consult an attorney.
All Indiana divorce information verified from official state court sources.
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