Make decisions
To finish your divorce or legal separation, you need to decide how you'll divide property and debts, whether anyone will pay spousal support, and how you will care for and support your children (if you have them).
You can do this by working with your spouse (or domestic partner) to reach an agreement. If you can't agree you can ask the court to decide.
Different ways to make decisions
You can work with your spouse to decide these issues together
Working out an agreement with your spouse does not necessarily mean you have to sit down together. Some people work out agreements over the phone or email, or get help from someone else, like a mediator.
Once you reach an agreement, you'll write down that agreement.
If your spouse isn't participating, you can make decisions without their input
If your spouse never filed a Response and the two of you do not have an agreement (you're getting a default divorce), you can tell the court in writing what you want without your spouse's input. The court will still need to approve what you ask for.
You can skip this part and start filling out your final paperwork.
Learn how to finalize your divorce if your spouse didn't respond
If you can't come to an agreement, you can ask the court to decide
When couples can't reach an agreement on some or all of the issues by working together, they can ask the court to decide.
If you do this, you'll get a few more chances to try to agree. But, if you still can't agree, you will need to have a trial where a judge will decide the issues in your case.
At a glance
Make decisions and write your agreement
People reach agreements in different ways. This is one way to make decisions and reach an agreement. Select any step to learn more and get step-by-step-instructions.