The divorce process can be extremely stressful, expensive, and full of conflict. However, what if you and your ex agree on all of the major issues? Is there a way to bypass the time and expense of a fully litigated divorce proceeding?
Most divorces involve the resolution of one or more of the following issues: property division, spousal support, child custody, and/or child support. If you and your ex can come to a written agreement on all or most of these issues, you may be able to file a joint divorce petition. The joint divorce petition details the agreement you and your ex have reached, and shows the court that it does not need to determine these issues for you. Below you will find a sample joint divorce petition.
[Caption, Introduction, see Captions, Prayers, Etc.] We, ________[name], Spouse 1, and ________[name], Spouse 2, make the following statements:
[Signature, Verification, see Captions, Prayers, Etc.] |
Note that this is only a sample petition. Each state (and courts within each state) has its own requirements regarding the content, format, and formalities of a joint divorce petition. Therefore, you should always refer to the state laws and rules for the court in which you will be filing your petition. For more general information, feel free to check out FindLaw's section on divorce.
Talk to an Attorney About Joint Divorce Petitions
After reading this, you will likely have more specific questions and will want to learn more about the laws governing joint divorce petitions in your state or county. A good way to have your inquiries answered is by contacting a divorce attorney in your area. A divorce attorney can explain how a joint petition works in the real world, and help you figure out if it's right for your situation.