5 Basic Steps to Getting a Divorce

Admitting that you want a divorce is never easy. However, the process of divorce itself does not have to be a nightmare like it is often portrayed in the media. Based on what state you reside in, there are five basic steps that you will need to take in order to get divorced from your spouse. You must first prove that you are a legal resident of the state in which you are seeking a divorce. In addition to residency, you must have "grounds," or cause for ending your marriage. In some states you may simply need to state "irreconcilable differences," while in others you may have to be more specific.

Next, the divorce papers must be served at your local courthouse and your spouse and his/her attorney must receive copies. Once your spouse has a copy, he/she will be given the chance to dispute the divorce. If he/she contests the filing, you are likely to wind up in court once or several times. And finally, you will have to discuss the division of assets with your spouse along with important issues such as alimony, child support, and/or child custody. If you are going through a divorce and many of these matters are weighing on your mind, get help today from a Jacksonville family lawyer by contacting Ellerin Hutchinson. We can stand by your side throughout your divorce which may make the process easier and less stressful for you.