What You Need To Know About Divorce

Full Video Transcript

Divorce is the legal process to end a marriage. Every state offers no-fault divorce. Divorce also means resolving issues related to property division, alimony, child custody, and child support. There are three stages to a divorce: service and response, mediation and negotiation, and trial and judgment. When seeking a divorce, you must: file a petition with the court, and provide legal notice (service) to your spouse. Your spouse must then respond in court, or they risk having a default judgment against them. At this point, you can resolve all issues through mediation and negotiation. If you agree on all the issues, it is called an uncontested divorce. In a contested divorce, you and your ex each argue your case to a family court judge, who will then rule on all the issues. How a court will divide marital property depends on whether you live in a community property or an equitable distribution state. The court will also determine a child custody or parenting plan schedule according to your state’s laws. The non-custodial parent may also have to pay child support in an amount set by the court. The court may also order alimony or spousal support as part of the final divorce order. But alimony is not always required. You can find a lawyer to help you skillfully navigate the difficult issues of divorce on LawInfo.com.