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Start your divorce case

To start a divorce or legal separation, you begin by filling out two court forms: a Petition and a Summons. If you and your spouse (or domestic partner) have children together, you will also need to fill out at least one other form about your children.

Before you start

Get familiar with a few key terms

The way you fill out these forms will impact the outcome of your case, so it’s important to do it correctly. The forms include some terms that may be unfamiliar to you. You can read more about these terms:

This website has information to walk you through the basic process. But, you may need more help or legal advice.

Consider getting help

  • Get help from the court. Learn more about the court’s Family Law Facilitator or Self-Help Center.

  • Hire a lawyer to help you with all or a part of your case. It’s possible to complete the process without a lawyer, but if you have a lot of property or debt, you may wish to hire a lawyer.

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