{"id":351760,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/divorce\/filing-and-serving-the-divorce-dissolution-petition.html"},"modified":"2023-07-20T17:05:59","modified_gmt":"2023-07-20T22:05:59","slug":"filing-and-serving-the-divorce-dissolution-petition","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/filing-and-serving-the-divorce-dissolution-petition.html","title":{"rendered":"Filing and Serving Divorce Papers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Filing and Serving Divorce Papers<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Notice and an opportunity to be heard are the cornerstones of litigation.  In order to properly start a divorce action, a spouse must filing a divorce petition (papers) with the court.  They must also ensure that their partner receives a physical copy of the petition (service of process).<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

The divorce petition is the first in a series of legal documents you must file with the court. This article reviews the petition and other divorce paperwork and how to file them with the court.
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Petition for Dissolution of Marriage<\/h2>\r\n

The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is the document that identifies the parties seeking a divorce, the basic grounds for the divorce, and contact information for both parties. In most states, the petition is a checkbox form.<\/p>\r\n

Each state <\/a>has its own requirements and forms. Some counties have forms as well. Parties should get legal advice from a family law attorney before filing their documents. Courthouses may have a legal self-help center at the court clerk’s office, but it cannot give legal advice.<\/p>\r\n

The petition will ask for any or all of these items:<\/p>\r\n