I was told you could just get the documents and file them yourself without having to go thru an attorney... but nobody's been able to tell me how to get the documents.
2006-10-03 15:57:58 · 10 answers · asked by Ashley T 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
What state do you live in? Some states have very good public web sites, operated by the courts, the state bar or similar organizations, with info and forms. In Texas, there's http://www.texaslawhelp.org, which is run by the Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation. It has free, reliable info for the public on a lot of things, including forms for a simple divorce. California has the California Courts Self-Help Center, online at http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/, which has similar info for California.
If you want links to Web sites with similar resources in other states, go to www.LawHelp.org or to http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/additionalinfo/links.htm#websites
If your state has no such web site, go to your county law library and ask a law librarian: Where can I find forms, and where can I find information for a person who plans to file for a divorce and not be represented by a lawyer. Or ask at the courthouse (clerk's office, civil not criminal).
2006-10-03 16:11:01 · answer #1 · answered by kbc10 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many kits you can buy in bookstores, but if you have children or are fighting over anything or the other party won't consent, it is not worth it, you will just end up causing yourself a world of trouble. These kits are really only for parties that are in agreement on just getting plain divorced...(ie. no support, division of property.
If in fact, what you want is to do a simple divorce (nobody contesting) I would suggest locating you state/province court website...they normally have the forms available there....
Then:
1. One party can file for "divorce only" and "non cohabitaition";
2. The other doesn't respond within the time lines (normally 20 days)
3. A simple divorce can be set down for hearing without anyone being present. (YOU CAN"T CLAIM ANY OTHER RELIEF FOR THIS TO WORK!)
If this is the way you want to go and the other side is in agreement, I would reccomend going to the local court house and asking, they can be helpful, show you blank forms and tell you what else you will need, like service on the other party and marriage certificates.
If the two parties are not in agreement...GET A LAWYER..trust me it is not worth the headache of getting things wrong.
Phone around...lots of lawyers will take payment in post dated cheques...at least that way they know the money is coming. Other lawyers will even do it for nothing up front if there is a property at stake, then they just put a charge on the land with your consent.
2006-10-03 16:11:09 · answer #2 · answered by elysialaw 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DONT USE THE KITS THAT THEY SELL IN STORES! Your county courthouse will have the proper paperwork in a packet all set up. All you have to do is pay a small fee for this packet. It is a divorce packet. Just go to the clerk of court and ask for it. Make sure you are prepared to possibly pay in cash alot of them dont take debit cards. Good luck! And please dont wast your money on the ones anywhere else, I made that mistake! Sometimes you can even download the forms online at your county or state website.
2006-10-03 16:15:38 · answer #3 · answered by Michelle T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my county you get them at the court house for a small fee. There is also a charge for filing them unless you qualify for a low income exemption. If you have a little money they have services in the yellow pages where you go and they provide the forms, type them for you and file it. It's not real expensive and much easier and alot less nerve racking.
2006-10-03 16:04:40 · answer #4 · answered by Cinner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went to family court in my state and got all of the documents and instructions for free. I could've gone to the Family Court's website and downloaded them as well. Good luck.
2006-10-03 16:02:08 · answer #5 · answered by fearslady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are websites that you can file threw as long as it is uncontested. Just get online and do some searching you'll find them.
2006-10-03 16:02:53 · answer #6 · answered by rj e in new york 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can usually pick up a kit at any major office supply store
2006-10-03 16:01:30 · answer #7 · answered by Letsee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
where i live they sell them at a place called rosie's print shop for 20.00 for the packet.call all the printshops in your yellow pages and they should either carry them or tell you who does good luck.
2006-10-03 16:12:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to your local courthouse and inquire at the help desk.
2006-10-03 16:01:42 · answer #9 · answered by hambycat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not just that easy. you need to spend some time in the law library.
2006-10-03 16:02:14 · answer #10 · answered by tym v 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋