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How does DivorceWriter work?
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First, complete the basic pre-purchase portion of the online interview. Then, set up your DivorceWriter account and enter your payment information. Complete the remainder of the online interview, which asks for additional information regarding your property, debts, children (if any), etc., and click on “submit." Our automated system will transfer the information to forms specific to the state where the divorce will be filed. Your completed self-prepared DivorceWriter package is then printed and shipped to you via priority mail along with written procedures for signing and for filing with the Clerk.
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How much does DivorceWriter cost?
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The DivorceWriter fee is just $149.
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What are the Kentucky residency requirements for filing for divorce?
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To file for divorce in Kentucky, at least one spouse must have lived in Kentucky for at least 180 days before the divorce is filed. Kentucky Revised Statute 403.140. While an out-of-state spouse is entitled to file for divorce in Kentucky based on the other spouse having lived there for at least 180 days, it is usually easier for the resident spouse to file since he or she probably lives closer to the Clerk's office and courthouse.
The proper county for filing is the Kentucky county where either spouse lives.
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Where do I file the divorce documents in Kentucky?
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Divorces are filed at the Circuit Court in the county of filing.
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What are the grounds for filing for divorce in Kentucky?
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The grounds for divorce in Kentucky is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Kentucky Revised Statute 403.140(c).
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How do I make changes to my documents after receiving my self-prepared Kentucky DivorceWriter package?
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If you want to make changes to any of your documents after receiving them in the mail, you have two options:
1) Log into your account at https://www.divorcewriter.com/Home_Login.asp and make changes to your online interview responses. Then, contact customer service at 800-928-7713 or info@divorcewriter.com to obtain copies of your updated documents at no extra charge. At that time, you can choose to either have them e-mailed to you or shipped via priority mail; or
2) Log into your account and email your documents to yourself using the email button on the review page. Customize as needed and print.
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Can I make changes to my documents after I receive them?
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Yes. We realize that your circumstances may change after you receive your DivorceWriter package. DivorceWriter offers easy options for making changes and obtaining new documents at NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. Simply contact our Customer Service by telephone or e-mail.
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Do I have to have my signature notarized on any documents?
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The state-specific filing instructions you will receive with your DivorceWriter package indicate when and where to sign documents and which documents, if any, require notarization. If notarization is ever required, a separate notary block is provided for each spouse, so that it is not necessary for notarization to occur at the same time or place.
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What is the online interview?
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In as little as 10-15 minutes, the online interview allows you to enter the information needed to complete your divorce forms, all in the privacy of your own home. After completing the online interview, simply transfer your information to our automated system for printing and shipping with just one click.
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I want to use DivorceWriter to prepare my own divorce documents. What do I do next?
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To get started, click on "Start the Process" above. You will be taken to our online interview where, in as little as 10-15 minutes, you can enter the information needed to complete your divorce forms. After completing the online interview, simply transfer your information to our automated system for printing and shipping with just one click.
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We have children. Can I still use DivorceWriter?
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Yes, you can use DivorceWriter to create your divorce forms even if you have children. The online interview includes tools for creating a Parenting Plan and requesting child support if needed.
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How does DivorceWriter work?
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- Complete the pre-buy portion of the online interview.
- After purchase you will have a chance to review your answers and provide any other details such as decisions regarding property and/or any minor children. When you are satisfied, submit your interview for printing.
- DivorceWriter will print and mail you your documents and filing instructions. You will be able to login and access your account at any time for up to a year to make any changes if needed.
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How much does DivorceWriter cost?
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The DivorceWriter fee is just $149.
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What if my spouse and I don't live in the state shown on this page?
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If you and your spouse live in a different state than the one that is shown on this page, click the "State of Residence" box to the left to see whether DivorceWriter supports the state where you live.
If you and/or your spouse recently left the state shown on this page OR only one of you lives in this state, click the "Continue" button to the left to review the residency requirements for this state.
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Will DivorceWriter work in my state?
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Each state has its own divorce forms, which tend to vary a lot in appearance and content. DivorceWriter forms are state-specific and designed for acceptance only in the state of filing selected by the customer.
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What is included in my DivorceWriter package?
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Each package contains the completed forms needed to get a divorce in your state, including step-by-step state-specific filing instructions.
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What do I do after I receive my documents?
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Simply follow the step-by-step filing procedures included with your DivorceWriter documents, which include how and when to sign and file all documents as well as important practical procedural information to help you have a smooth, stress-free filing process.
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How long will it take to receive my documents?
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Complete the easy online interview and click on "submit." Your DivorceWriter document package will be shipped to you via Priority Mail the next business day.
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What if my spouse and I don't live in the same state?
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As long as one spouse meets the residency requirements for the state where the divorce will be filed, it does not matter that the other spouse lives in a different state.
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How do I change my password?
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You can change your password by logging back into your DivorceWriter account using this link: www.divorcewriter.com
On the Review page of your online interview, select the "EDIT" tab next to "Account Email." You will also need to enter your old password in this section in as well as your new password.
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How do I make changes to my existing DivorceWriter account?
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If you already have a DivorceWriter account and need to make changes to your online interview responses, you may log in to your account here: www.divorcewriter.com/Home_Login.asp
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What will be listed as the return-address on my DivorceWriter document package?
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To ensure privacy, our mailing envelopes DO NOT list DivorceWriter as the return-addressee. Pro Se Planning, Inc., the name of our parent company, is listed instead.
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Can I use DivorceWriter in my state?
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DivorceWriter offers documents for the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington. Your documents will be accepted for filing or your money back--100% guarantee.
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I finished the online interview. How long will it take to receive my documents?
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DivorceWriter promptly ships your document package to you via Priority Mail the next business day.
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Do any documents require notarization?
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The filing instructions included with your DivorceWriter package will provide additional information if any documents require notarization.
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What documents will I receive?
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Each DivorceWriter package includes all of the documents needed to obtain a divorce in your state, ready to sign and file. You will also receive easy to understand, step-by-step instructions for filing for divorce in your state.
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What happens after I receive my DivorceWriter documents?
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Just follow the step-by-step instructions included with your DivorceWriter package, which provide detailed information on signing your documents as well as important practical tips to help you have a smooth, stress-free filing process.
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Can we use DivorceWriter if we have children?
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Even couples with minor children can prepare their own documents using DivorceWriter.
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Are court filing fees included in the fee?
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The DivorceWriter price does NOT include the filing fee charged by the court clerk when you file for divorce. To obtain the exact filing fee for your county, contact your court clerk.
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How much does DivorceWriter cost?
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For only $149, you will receive all of the documents needed to get a divorce in your state. Step-by-step filing instructions for your state are also included at no additional charge.
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Are DivorceWriter documents legal?
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DivorceWriter's goal is to provide self-help divorce documents. However, DivorceWriter is not a law firm and only lawyers are allowed to issue an opinion regarding the legality of a document and its applicability to your specific circumstances. If you have any doubts as to the applicability of your DivorceWriter purchase to your situation, you may wish to seek the advice of a lawyer licensed to practice law in your jurisdiction.
DivorceWriter offers a full refund if your documents are not accepted by the Court.
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Are LegacyWriter documents legal?
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LegacyWriter's goal is to provide self-help forms for many estate planning needs. However, LegacyWriter is not a law firm and only lawyers are allowed to issue an opinion regarding the legality of a document and its applicability to your specific circumstances. If you have any doubts about the applicability of your LegacyWriter purchase to your situation, you may wish to seek the advice of a lawyer licensed to practice law in your jurisdiction. If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, we will gladly refund the purchase price.
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Will LegacyWriter documents work in my state and/or in my situation?
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LegacyWriter's goal is to provide self-help forms for many estate planning needs. However, LegacyWriter is not a law firm and only lawyers are allowed to issue an opinion regarding the legality of a document and its applicability to your specific circumstances. If you have any doubts about the applicability of your LegacyWriter purchase to your situation, you may wish to seek the advice of a lawyer licensed to practice law in your jurisdiction. If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, we will gladly refund the purchase price.
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Will DivorceWriter documents work in my state and/or in my situation?
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DivorceWriter's goal is to provide self-help divorce documents. However, DivorceWriter is not a law firm and only lawyers are allowed to issue an opinion regarding the legality of a document and its applicability to your specific circumstances. If you have any doubts as to the applicability of your DivorceWriter purchase to your situation, you may wish to seek the advice of a lawyer licensed to practice law in your jurisdiction. DivorceWriter offers a full refund if your documents are not accepted by the Court.
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What happens after I receive my self-prepared Kentucky DivorceWriter package?
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Along with your self-prepared Kentucky DivorceWriter package, you will receive written procedures for signing documents and filing with the Clerk. The written procedures are state-specific and include the address and telephone number of the circuit Court Clerk for the county of filing selected by the customer.
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What are the basic steps to getting a divorce in Kentucky?
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1) The Petitioner signs the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, and files it with the Clerk of Courts.
2) Both spouses sign additional documents, which are also filed with the Clerk.
3) The parties' divorce is finalized when they receive a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage signed by the Judge in the mail.
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Will we have the option to divide one or more retirement plans?
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The DivorceWriter online interview allows spouses who have agreed to split one or more retirement plans to indicate the exact percentage that each spouse will receive of the retirement plan.
DivorceWriter cannot provide legal advice and cannot provide you with a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). Contact an attorney and/or the retirement plan administrator for assistance in drafting a QDRO.
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How much is the filing fee in Kentucky?
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County divorce filing fees are NOT included with your DivorceWriter purchase. The fee for filing for divorce in Kentucky varies from county to county, but typically ranges from $115.00 to $250.00.
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What documents are included in the self-prepared Kentucky DivorceWriter package?
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Your self-prepared Kentucky DivorceWriter package will include:- Kentucky Divorce Filing Procedures
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Mandatory Case Disclosure
- Entry of Appearance and Waiver
- Respondent’s Mandatory Case Disclosure Acknowledgment
- Deposition of Petitioner
- Marital Settlement Agreement
- Findings of Fact and Decree of Dissolution of Marriage
- Request for Name Change
(if Wife wishes to resume her maiden or former last name)- Case Data Information Sheet
- Certificate of Divorce or Annulment VS-300
Customers with minor children will also receive the following:- Worksheet for Monthly Child Support Obligation
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What are the signature requirements for the documents I will receive?
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The state-specific filing procedures included in the DivorceWriter package indicate which documents need to be signed and which documents, if any, require notarization. Some documents will require the signatures of both spouses. When notarization is required, a separate notary block is provided for each spouse, so that it is not necessary for notarization to occur at the same time or place.
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How long does it usually take to finalize a divorce in Kentucky?
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In Kentucky, if there are no children the divorce can be finalized in as little as 30 days from the date of filing as long as the parties have been physically separated for at least 60 days--i.e. separated for at least 30 days before filing. Living apart can include living under the same roof as long as the parties do not sleep in the same bed and do not have sexual relations with each other. Kentucky Revised Statute 403.170.
If there are children involved it will take at least 60 days even if all the parties are in agreement.
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How do I serve my spouse with the divorce papers in Kentucky?
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Because the non-filing spouse, also known as the Respondent, will be signing an Entry of Appearance and Waiver, formal service is not required.
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Will either of us be required to attend a court hearing?
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No. As long as both spouses have reached an agreement on all issues, a hearing is not required to finalize the divorce.
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Do we have to live at different residences to get a divorce in Kentucky?
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In Kentucky, a judge cannot finalize the divorce until the parties have lived apart for 60 days. Living apart can include living under the same roof as long as the parties do not sleep in the same bed and do not have sexual relations with each other. Kentucky Revised Statute 403.170.
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Does Kentucky allow a wife change her name in the divorce proceedings?
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If the wife wants to change her last name back to her maiden or other former name, enter the full former name here and the request will be automatically added to your documents at no additional cost. Kentucky Revised Statute 403.230.
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Can I receive a portion of my spouse's retirement plan even though his/her retirement is several years away?
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The most common way for one spouse to secure the right to a portion of the other spouse's retirement plan is through a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, or QDRO. To obtain a QDRO, contact your spouse's human resources or personnel office who will be able to put you in contact with the retirement plan administrator. Commonly, the plan administrator will provide you with a standard QDRO to complete and file with the Court.
DivorceWriter cannot provide you with a QDRO. Contact an attorney and/or the retirement plan administrator for assistance in drafting a QDRO.
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Can the wife change her name back during the divorce?
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Yes, if a name change is desired, the necessary information will be requested in the Additional Details portion of the DivorceWriter online interview.
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Do I have to divorce in the state where I was married?
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No, you can divorce in any state where you or your spouse meet the divorce residency requirements.
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How is child support calculated in Kentucky?
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Based on the information provided by the customer when completing the Kentucky online interview, a computer generated Child Support Worksheet is automatically created and sent to the customer as part of the DivorceWriter package. See Kentucky Revised Statute 403.212 for additional information on child support calculation in Kentucky.
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What if my spouse and I have agreed to a child support amount that is different from the standard amount?
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In Kentucky, a judge may allow the parties to choose a child support amount that is different from the guidelines if using the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate. These reasons may include, but are not limited to:- A child's extraordinary medical or dental needs;
- A child's extraordinary educational, job training, or special needs;
- Either parent's own extraordinary needs, such as medical expenses;
- The independent financial resources, if any, of the child or children;
- Combined monthly adjusted parental gross income in excess of the Kentucky child support guidelines;
- The parents of the child, having demonstrated knowledge of the amount of child support established by the Kentucky child support guidelines, have agreed to child support different from the guideline amount. However, no such agreement shall be the basis of any deviation if public assistance is being paid on behalf of a child under the provisions of Part D of Title IV of the Federal Social Security Act; and
- Any similar factor of an extraordinary nature specifically identified by the court which would make application of the guidelines inappropriate.
For more information on child support deviation, see Kentucky Revised Statute 403.211.
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What if we already have an existing child support order?
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Customers who already have a child support order issued by a Court have the option to enter that information in this portion of the interview. In order to list a prior support order, the customer can do the following:- Select “no” to using the payment calculation;
- Enter the existing support amount in the space provided for monthly payment amount; and
- Enter the following as the reason for deviating from the state calculation: There is a prior child support order under Case No. (enter case number) that was issued by (enter court name) on (enter date of order).
Note that the information will be transferred to the applicable documents exactly as it is entered by the customer. Generally, you will also be expected to staple one copy of the prior child support order to each copy of the Settlement Agreement (sometimes called a Separation Agreement) that you will file with the Court later in the divorce process.
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Will we be able to customize our documents to fit our specific custody and visitation arrangement?
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DivorceWriter accommodates parents who want to designate one parent as the legal custodian or for parents who want to share joint legal custody. Parents can also choose to share joint physical custody of the child(ren) or designate one parent as the custodial parent, either with or without vistation for the non-custodial parent.
Choose to customize as little or as much as you need.- Customize your own schedule for weekend and weekday vistiation, if any, including setting start and end times.
- Create a detailed schedule for vacations, holidays, and special occasions, or choose to keep your regular schedule during those times.
- Decide which parent will have the final say if there are disagreements about major decisions including education, non-emergency health care, and religious upbringing, and create additional decision-making rights if needed.
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When can a child support order be modified in Kentucky?
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A child support order can be modified in Kentucky upon a showing of a material change in circumstances that is substantial and continuing. For additional information on child support modification, see Kentucky Revised Statute 403.213.
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What is the difference between child support and spousal support?
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Spousal support is paid to one spouse by the other for the support and care of the receiving spouse. Child support, on the other hand, is paid to one parent by the other for the support and care of dependent children
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Can we customize our documents to fit our spousal support needs?
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You can choose:- No spousal support
- Spousal support paid in periodic payments for a set duration
- Spousal support paid in a lump sum
Spouses who choose a combination of a lump sum payment with periodic payments for a set duration can enter the periodic payments here in the Spousal Support Section of the interview. Then, the one-time, lump sum payment can be added as either a property item or as a debt by returning to the appropriate section of this interview and listing it there. Customers may prefer to list the lump sum payment as property if it has already been paid. Alternatively, customers may wish to list it as a debt with the payor spouse as the creditor if it has not yet been paid.
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Do I enter child support information here also?
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No. This section is for spousal support only. Enter information here if one spouse will be paying support for the care and benefit of the other spouse. Child support, which is paid for the support and care of a child, will be asked about later in this interview.
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Is spousal support commonly awarded?
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Only about 10% of DivorceWriter customers choose "yes" to spouse spousal support.
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Do I have to pay income tax on spousal support payments that I receive?
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For federal income tax purposes, spousal support is commonly considered taxable income for the receiving spouse and is also tax-deductible for the spouse that pays it. However, when a written provision is included in a settlement agreement stating that the payments are not included in the gross income of the recipient spouse nor deductible from the income of the payor spouse, you are often able to avoid any federal income tax consequences for either party.
If you have any questions regarding the tax consequences of spousal support, you may wish to contact an attorney. More information is also available at: www.irs.com
Child support is NEVER taxable income to the parent that receives it nor is it ever tax-deductible for the party that pays it.
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What options do we have for our real estate?
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The DivorceWriter provides an array of options for disposing of your real estate, including:- Designating responsibility for any mortgage(s) and other liabilities related to the property;
- Buying-out your spouse with a cash settlement;
- Designating one spouse to be responsible for the sale or share the responsibility equally;
- Assigning a set number of months to complete the sale of property;
- Listing one spouse as the receipient of the proceeds of the sale or assign a set percentage of proceeds, if any, to each spouse;
- Designating one spouse to pay the monthly mortgage, taxes, and repairs pending sale or share the responsibility for these expenses equally.
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We want to transfer real estate into only one spouse's name. Do we need a Quit Claim Deed?
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Generally, if you want to transfer jointly held real estate into the name of only one spouse, or if one spouse has real estate that is being transferred into the name of the other spouse, you will need to execute a Quit Claim Deed. Then, the Quit Claim Deed is filed, or recorded, with the County Clerk or Register of Deeds.
DivorceWriter cannot provide Quit Claim Deeds. If you have any questions about real estate transfers or about Quit Claim Deeds, you may need to contact an attorney.
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Can we divide one or more retirement plans?
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The DivorceWriter online interview allows spouses who have agreed to split one or more retirement plans to indicate the exact percentage that each spouse will receive of the retirement plan.
DivorceWriter cannot provide legal advice and cannot provide you with a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). Contact an attorney and/or the retirement plan administrator for assistance in drafting a QDRO.
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Can we divide/list as many items of personal property as we want?
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Choose to list all, some, or no property. The customer decides which property, if any, to list, although some courts require that at least real estate, vehicles, retirement accounts, property with titles, and/or other valuable property be listed. Spouses who have agreed to split one or more pieces of personal property can make a new entry for each spouse for each item to be divided, and then indicate the exact percentage that each spouse will receive.
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Can we divide as many items of personal property as we want?
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Choose to list all, some, or no property. The customer decides which property, if any, to list, although some courts require that at least real estate, vehicles, retirement accounts, property with titles, and/or other valuable property be listed.
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Can we divide/list as many debts as we want?
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Choose to list all, some, or no debts. The customer decides which debts, if any, to list, although some courts require debts related to real estate, vehicles, property with titles, and/or other valuable property to be listed as well as joint debts.
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Do I need to list the legal description of my real estate?
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It is generally sufficient to just list the physical address of the property (street, city, state, zip), but some customers also list the legal description, which can be found on the deed and/or mortgage documents.
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We are each going to be liable for a percentage of one or more of our debts. How do we enter the information?
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If you are each going to be responsible for a percentage of a debt, make one entry for each spouse for each individual debt to be divided and indicate the percentage of responsibility for each spouse. Many judges will reject settlement agreements that do not contain the last four digits of an account number so you may wish to enter that information here as well.
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Do we have to list the property we've agreed to divide?
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About 50% of DivorceWriter customers list property in the online interview. The property listed will appear on the settlement agreement that is included with your DivorceWriter document package. If no property is listed, the settlement agreement will indicate that there is no property to be divided.
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Do we have to list the items of property we've agreed to divide?
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About 50% of DivorceWriter customers choose to list one or more items of property.
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Do we have to list the debts we've agreed to divide?
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About 30% of DivorceWriter customers choose to list one or more debts.
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What if one spouse is in the military?
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If both parties are willing to sign the papers, ending your marriage when a spouse is in the military is generally much like a regular dissolution or divorce, although there may be as many as three possible jurisdictions where the dissolution or divorce can be filed: - The legal residence of the military member
- The legal residence of the spouse
- The state where the servicemember is stationed
Typically, either you or your spouse must reside in Kentucky or be stationed there in order to file for divorce there. For additional information on residency requirements, the servicemember may wish to contact his or her local JAG office.
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What if one spouse is living in a foreign country?
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What if I have an out of state driver’s license or no license at all?
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Lack of a valid in-state driver’s license could pose a problem if the spouse without the license is filing the initial divorce documents as it may be difficult to prove that he or she meets the residency requirements. Lack of any license at all could pose an issue when it comes to positive identification if needed in court or to verify identity for notarization purposes.
However, most counties don't require any form of identification to file for divorce. Contact the Court Clerk if you have additional questions.
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What if my spouse is in the military?
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Typically, either you or your spouse must meet the residency requirements in a given state or be stationed there in order to file for dissolution or divorce in that state. If both parties are willing to sign the papers, ending your marriage when a spouse is in the military is much like a regular dissolution or divorce.
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I am not sure my marriage was legal. Do I even need a divorce?
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DivorceWriter is for people who want to end their marriages. If you have any questions regarding the validity of your marriage, you may need to contact a lawyer.
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