Divorce & Legal Separation
Ending a marriage is as much a legal process as a personal one. Understand the difference between fault and no-fault divorce, legal separation, how property and debts are divided, the steps from filing to final decree, and what an uncontested divorce really involves.
All Divorce & Legal Separation guides
- Can I Get a Divorce if My Spouse Is in Jail?
Yes. Incarceration does not stop a divorce. How to serve an inmate, what happens if they don't respond, and how to file if you're the one in jail.
- How to Get a Cheap or Free Divorce With No Money
Yes, you can divorce with little or no money. Use fee waivers, legal aid, self-help forms, and low-cost lawyers. Step-by-step routes for low-income filers.
- Can I Get a Divorce Without My Spouse Knowing or Being Found?
If your spouse is missing or refuses to cooperate, you can usually still divorce through service by publication and a default judgment. Here is how the process works.
- Can I Get a Divorce Right After Marriage? Annulment vs. Divorce
Yes, you can divorce days after marrying. Learn how short-marriage divorce, residency rules, waiting periods, and annulment eligibility differ by state.
- Can I Get a Divorce Because of Domestic Violence or Abuse?
Yes. You can divorce an abusive spouse in any U.S. state, even for emotional abuse. How no-fault, cruelty grounds, and protective orders fit together.
- Can I Get a Divorce and Keep My House?
Yes, you often can keep the house in a divorce. How your state divides property, buyout and refinance options, and the steps to protect your home.
- Can a Dad Get Full Custody After Divorce?
Yes, a father can win full custody after divorce. Learn how the best-interests standard works, what judges weigh, and steps to build a strong case.
- Can I Get a Divorce Without a Lawyer? Your Rights to File Pro Se
Yes, you can usually file for divorce without a lawyer. Learn when DIY (pro se) divorce works, the steps to file, and when to hire an attorney.
- Can I Get a Divorce if My Spouse Refuses to Sign?
Yes. You do not need your spouse's signature or consent to divorce. Learn how a contested or default divorce works when a spouse refuses to cooperate.
- Can I Get a Divorce and Still Live Together?
Yes, you can often divorce while living in the same house, but separation rules vary by state. Here's how living together during divorce actually works.
- Can I Get a Divorce While Pregnant?
You can usually file for divorce while pregnant, but many states like Texas won't finalize it until the baby is born. Here's why, and what to do.
- Can I Get a Divorce Online? How Online Divorce Works
Online divorce explained: what these services actually do, when they work, free DIY options, Texas timing, getting your decree, and when to hire a lawyer.
- Can Child Support Be Modified After Divorce?
Yes, child support can be modified after divorce. Learn what counts as a substantial change, how to file, and why past-due support can't be erased.
- Grounds for Divorce: Fault, No-Fault, and Abandonment Explained
Yes, you can usually divorce a spouse who abandoned you. Learn fault vs. no-fault grounds, how abandonment works, and the steps to file when your spouse is gone.
- Can I Get a Divorce Without Going to Court? Uncontested Divorce
Yes, many uncontested divorces finish without a courtroom hearing. Learn how agreed divorce works, when you still must appear, and the steps to take.
- Can I Change My Child's Last Name After Divorce?
Yes, you can usually change your child's last name after divorce, but it takes a court petition and notice to the other parent. Here's how it works.
- How to Get a Copy of Your Divorce Decree or Certificate
Yes, you can get a copy of your divorce. Learn where to request a decree vs. certificate, how to order online, costs, and what to do for old or out-of-state records.
- Can I Get a Divorce Without My Marriage Certificate?
Yes, you can usually divorce without your marriage certificate. Here is how courts verify your marriage and how to get a certified copy if you need one.
- How Fast Can You Get a Divorce? Waiting Periods by State
How fast can you get divorced? Waiting periods and residency rules vary widely by state. What controls your timeline, and how to move fast.
- Where Can I File for Divorce? State Residency Rules
Where you can file for divorce depends on residency. Learn the state rules, filing from another state or country, and military and jurisdiction exceptions.