Divorce Process Summary

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The Bishop Law Office has found it helpful to review a simplified chart of divorce proceedings. The firm designed the chart for its clients to better illustrate the steps in a divorce proceeding. Not all steps apply in all cases. However, the use of this chart has been helpful to our clients? in understanding the divorce process.A detailed text description of the divorce process is described on this page. Click the BACK arrow on your browser to return to this page for the full text of the divorce process. Contact the Bishop Law Office if you would like to know more about how your situation will be applied to this process.

Documents Filed With The Court

The following documents are filed with the Court in order to commence the divorce proceedings:

1. Summons
2. Petition For Dissolution Of Marriage
3. Preliminary Injunction
4. Notice of Right Of Health Insurance
5. Notice Regarding Creditors
6. Domestic Relations Cover Sheet

If the parties involved have minor children, the following documents will also be filed:

• Child Support Information Sheet.
• Order And Notice To Attend Parent Information Program Class.

Service of Process

In cases where the parties are fairly amicable, the Firm generally asks the opposing party to sign an Acceptance Of Service Of Process. This alleviates the necessity of formal service of process. In the event that the party does not accept service of process or in the event that the client wishes to proceed with serving the other party personally, the Firm retains a process server to have the documents served in person.

Response To Petition For Dissolution

Unless the parties are able to resolve all issues and stipulate to a consent decree, the other spouse will need to file a Response To Petition For Dissolution.

Stipulated Consent Decree

This is the easiest way to get a divorce. If the parties can agree to all terms of their divorce, including custody, parenting time, child support, property issues, debt issues, spousal maintenance and other financial issues (if applicable), the parties can stipulate to all terms and obtain a consent decree without going to court. In such event, the Firm will draft the consent decree, the settlement agreement and other necessary documents.

Where children are involved, the Firm will draft a parenting plan, child support worksheet and other documents to be submitted to the Court. The parties must wait no less than 60 days from the date of service of process in order to file these documents with the Court. However, the Firm can start drafting the documents and obtaining the parties? signatures before this waiting period is over. This is obviously the least expensive and fastest method of getting a divorce. In the event that the parties are unable to reach an agreement regarding the issues, the only other way to get a divorce is by trial.

Court Programs

There are a number of Court programs that may apply, depending on the circumstances of your case. If you have contested custody issues, the Court may refer you to Conciliation Services for mediation in order for you to attempt to work out an agreement. These are confidential proceedings. In the event that the parties cannot reach an agreement during mediation, the matter is referred back to the Court.

The Court may also refer the parties for a Dispute Assessment in order to have a mental health provider make recommendations to the Court regarding custody, visitation and other issues pertinent to the children?s best interests. These programs are provided to you at no cost.

With regard to financial issues, the Court may refer the parties to Alternate Dispute Resolution. This is also called a settlement conference. An appointed judge pro tem will assist the parties in settling all issues.

The Court may also refer the parties to Expedited Services with regard to child support and child support enforcement issues.

Resolution Management Conferences: The Court generally schedules at least one Resolution Management Conference if the case is not quickly settled. During such conferences, the Court often schedules a trial date and inquires whether any agreements have been reached. The Court generally also inquires whether the parties have exchanged all relevant documents and other information. The Court may enter interim orders regarding support, payment of bills and similar orders pending the final trial.

Temporary Orders

There is often a need to file a request for temporary orders with the Court. This is a request that the Court enters certain orders pending the final trial or other disposition of the proceedings. Parties may request temporary orders regarding custody and visitation, child support, spousal maintenance, temporary use of the house, attorneys fees, payment of debts, access to financial accounts, use of property and other issues.

Discovery

In many cases, parties do not know what assets or other property they have acquired or what the value of such property is. In some cases, certain funds may be missing or unaccounted for. It may be necessary to conduct certain written ?discovery.? This may include written questions that the other party needs to answer, such as listings of assets and other information. Discovery may also include requesting documents from the other party. Subpoenas may also be issued to obtain documents from banks, employers and other sources. In some cases, depositions are necessary. During depositions, questions are asked to the other party or witnesses under oath.

Proceeding To Trial

Prior to the matter being submitted to trial, the parties will generally need to file a document with the Court in order to obtain a trial date. This is a document letting the Court know that the parties are ready to proceed to trial. The Court will then schedule a pretrial hearing in which the Court addresses whether the parties have provided each other with all of the necessary information, and will generally schedule your case for trial.

Trial

Trials in divorce cases do not involve juries. Rather, your case will be tried before the assigned judge. Trials in divorce matters are usually scheduled for a half day, although in some cases more time is necessary. During trial, the parties present testimony, exhibits and other evidence that support their respective positions. After the trial is completed, the Court will enter its divorce decree which sets forth its specific findings and orders.

* the Anatomy of a Divorce Chart was designed exclusively by and for the use of Bishop Law Office.