What should I know before filing for divorce?

On Behalf of | Jul 26, 2023 | Divorce |

Once you make the decision to end your marriage, you will need to take steps to start the legal process of divorce. You can file your divorce petition in New Hampshire as long as you live in the state for at least one year regardless of where your spouse lives.

There are several steps to take. You may have differences in the process depending on your situation. But you will need to file the correct paperwork with the court and pay a fee.

Children can complicate

If you have children with your spouse, the process can be slightly more complex. You must ensure you fill out the documents correctly and include information about your children. If you fail to do this, it could cause delays and issues with your filing.

Only you must file

Only one spouse has to file. You can file the paperwork even if your spouse is not in agreement about getting a divorce. Not wanting to end the marriage is not a valid way to stop the divorce process. If this happens, you will have a contested divorce situation where a judge will make decisions on issues including property division, child custody and spousal support.

Pay attention to details

When you begin the divorce process, it is important to pay attention to the details. Make sure you take time to fill out the paperwork properly. You want to ensure that you do not make any mistakes. This could result in problems for you down the road or delay your case.

Ideally, you and your spouse will agree to divorce, which can make the process easier. However, it will always start with one of you filing the correct paperwork.