Divorce & family public guide
Learn the structure of divorce and family-court processes
Explore general information about filing, financial disclosure, property frameworks, parenting issues, support, and state court resources.
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Build a divorce & family starting roadmap
Choose the situation that is closest. The result organizes first moves, records, source-linked tools, and questions for licensed review.
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What each roadmap covers
Open any path to see the information it organizes before making a selection.
I am considering or starting a divorce+
Map residency, court, financial records, children, safety, and the decisions that need local review.
The roadmap organizes:
- Identify the state and county connected to each spouse.
- List children, residences, current orders, property, debts, income, and insurance.
- Open the state source page for residency, timing, and guideline references.
- Separate immediate safety or emergency issues from ordinary process questions.
Records:
Marriage and address history · Income and tax records · Account, debt, and property records · Existing orders or agreements
Parenting time or custody is the main concern+
Organize the existing schedule, overnights, school and care information, safety facts, and current orders.
The roadmap organizes:
- Write the current schedule as dates and overnights rather than percentages.
- List school, childcare, medical, transportation, and communication routines.
- Keep current orders, proposed schedules, and documented safety concerns separate.
- Use local court sources for required parenting forms and procedures.
Records:
Current court orders · Calendars and exchange records · School, care, and medical information · Relevant communications
Property, debt, support, or disclosure is the main concern+
Create one inventory showing ownership, value, debt, income, dates, and supporting records.
The roadmap organizes:
- List every asset, debt, income source, recurring expense, and insurance policy.
- Record title, account holders, acquisition date, current estimate, and supporting source.
- Separate marital, premarital, inherited, gifted, and disputed items for review.
- Match each figure to a statement, return, appraisal, or other record.
Records:
Tax returns and pay records · Bank, investment, and retirement statements · Loan and credit statements · Deeds, titles, appraisals, and insurance
I received court papers or have a hearing+
Put the document, service date, response date, hearing details, existing orders, and disputed issues together.
The roadmap organizes:
- Preserve the complete filing, exhibits, service papers, envelope, and scheduling notice.
- Write every response, disclosure, mediation, and hearing date in one chronology.
- List the orders requested and the facts or records connected to each issue.
- Use the court clerk, legal aid, or licensed local counsel for procedural requirements.
Records:
Complete papers and exhibits · Proof or date of service · Existing orders · Calendar and related communications
Published by DocketBuddy · Roadmap content reviewed August 9, 2026 · State pages carry their own source verification and review dates.
How the process is usually organized
Court and residency rules
The correct court, residency requirements, forms, and waiting periods depend on state and local rules.
Financial information
Income, accounts, debts, property, taxes, insurance, and household expenses are commonly relevant.
Parenting and safety
Parenting arrangements and safety concerns require careful, fact-specific attention and may involve urgent local resources.
Check the filing timeline and support framework
Choose a state for source-linked waiting-period, residency, child-support-guideline, and methodology rules.
Browse all 51 published state guides
Official and public sources
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For family law attorneys
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