Divorce Information by State

By Amy Vandervort-Clark, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq. | Last reviewed September 18, 2024

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Each state and territory sets its own divorce laws, so the laws and procedures that govern the divorce process will vary.  Understanding the divorce process in your state will help you prepare.

Each court will have its own rules for the divorce petition and filing fees. There are different residency requirements and waiting periods in each state.

When it comes to a possible divorce, the last thing you want to do is to go into the process unprepared. You will have many questions, such as:

  • How do I get a court order for child support and child custody?
  • Can I get spousal support or alimony?
  • What is marital property?
  • Does my state have no-fault divorce?
  • What if we have an uncontested divorce or a contested divorce case?

Knowing the divorce laws in your state can help you answer these questions.

Online Divorce Resources in Every State

Below, find links to helpful divorce resources and legal information for each state to prepare you for family court and the divorce process.

To suggest a resource for this page, please e-mail us.

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

  • Divorce in Kentucky (KentuckyJustice.org)

  • All Forms: Select "Family and Children" on the left-hand side of the page to find “Dissolution of Marriage / Divorce Forms" (Kentucky Court of Justice)

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Forms, Checklists, and Worksheets Can Help You Organize

Checklists and questionnaires are a good way to gather and organize the information you need for your divorce papers and court forms. Divorce attorneys especially rely on them to understand your financial position and personal history. Chasing down all the necessary documents is part of what divorce attorneys do.

Having the right documents ready for your attorney will speed up the process. Below are a few sample guides that might help:

Organizing your details can suggest what to expect from a divorce. Divorce and family courts try to reach a fair result for everyone. Knowing the true state of your marital property and accounts can go a long way.

Marital Property Division Varies by State

Legal resources can also give you a general idea of how divorce might affect the marital estate. Divorce courts review a marriage's joint assets along with each spouse's separate assets. This is then used to determine a fair distribution for all parties.

Collect details on:

  • Your home

  • Other properties

  • Investments

  • Savings accounts

  • Securities

  • Benefits, including social security

  • Retirement plans

  • Insurance policies

If you worry your ex-spouse may drain your joint assets, you may need to request a protective order. This order will guard these resources while the divorce case is being decided.

Ask a Divorce Attorney for More Guidance

Divorce is a complex and time-consuming process. While some cases may be easier, you’ll still need to learn a lot.

Divorce laws and procedures vary from state to state. Many courts have self-help centers, law libraries, or court clerks who may guide you. Yet, they cannot give you legal advice or tell you what you deserve.

Luckily, a local family law attorney will be familiar with your state's divorce laws and can help protect your rights during the divorce process. They can ease some of the stress caused by divorce.

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Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?

  • You may not need an attorney for a simple divorce with uncontested issues
  • Legal advice is critical to protect your interests in a contested divorce
  • Divorce lawyers can help secure fair custody/visitation, support, and property division

An attorney is a skilled advocate during negotiations and court proceedings. Many attorneys offer free consultations.

Find a local attorney

Helpful Links

Attorney Directory

Don't Forget About Estate Planning

Divorce is an ideal time to review your beneficiary designations on life insurance, bank accounts, and retirement accounts. You need to change your estate planning forms to reflect any new choices about your personal representative and beneficiaries. You can change your power of attorney if you named your ex-spouse as your agent. Also, change your health care directive to remove them from making your health care decisions.

Start Planning