GENERAL INFORMATION
(Hint: To see more help topics select a state in Step 1 above)
How does DivorceWriter work?
In all jurisdictions, completing your paperwork through DivorceWriter involves the followi... more
What happens after I receive my DivorceWriter documents?
Just follow the step-by-step instructions included with your DivorceWriter package, which ... more
How do I make changes to my documents after I receive them?
If you want to make changes to any of your documents after receiving them in the mail, you... more
Will DivorceWriter documents work in my state and/or in my situation?
DivorceWriter provides self-help divorce documents and instructions. DivorceWriter is not... more
I finished the online interview. How long will it take to receive my documents?
In all jurisdictions, DivorceWriter provides flexible document delivery options: Digital d... more
I want to use DivorceWriter to prepare my own divorce documents. What do I do next?
To get started, click on "Start the Process" above. You will be taken to our online inter... more
Can I use DivorceWriter in my state?
DivorceWriter provides divorce documents for almost every U.S. state and the District of C... more
What if I need additional documents that were not included in my DivorceWriter package?
Contact customer service at info@divorcewriter.com with the name or form number of the doc... more
What is the online interview?
In as little as 10-15 minutes, the online interview allows you to enter the information ne... more
Can you overnight my documents to me so that I can have them right away?
In all jurisdictions, DivorceWriter provides flexible document delivery options: Digital d... more
How do I change my password?
To change your password you must first log back into your account using the login section ... more
How do I make changes to my interview responses?
With a DivorceWriter purchase, you can make free unlimited revisions for two years. To ma... more
Are DivorceWriter documents legal?
DivorceWriter's goal is to provide self-help divorce documents. However, DivorceWriter is ... more
Does DivorceWriter provide documents for annulments?
No. DivorceWriter does not currently provide documents for annulments.
Can we get a divorce if one spouse is pregnant?
Yes. A divorce may proceed during a pregnancy. However, some states require the child to b... more
Do we need a quit claim deed to complete the transfer of jointly held real estate?
Generally, when spouses jointly own real estate, it will be necessary for the other spouse... more
How do I check the status of my divorce package?
To check on the status of your divorce package, follow these steps: Log in at https://www.... more
Are DivorceWriter documents available in any other languages?
DivorceWriter divorce packages, including the filing procedures and court forms, are curre... more
What if I can't afford the filing fee?
State-specific information on seeking a filing fee waiver is available. Generally, people... more
How do I email documents to myself?
To email documents to yourself, follow these steps: Log in at DivorceWriter Login if not a... more
My documents were rejected. What do I do next?
If the court rejected your state-specific documents due to an issue with our forms, please... more
What is included?
The DivorceWriter package includes all forms needed to complete your divorce. These state... more
How do I open and download my documents?
If you're having trouble opening or downloading your divorce documents, the issue is often... more
Who is my retirement plan administrator?
The plan administrator is the person or company selected by your employer to manage the re... more
Can I file for divorce if there is an active protective order?
You have the right to file for divorce without an attorney even if one spouse has an order... more
Can I file for divorce by mail in or e-file my divorce papers if my courthouse is closed to the public?
Yes. While courthouses are limiting access to the public to slow the spread of COVID-19, c... more
How do I get a document notarized online?
To learn more about notarizing a document online, visit our online notarization guide.
How do we split a retirement plan?
To divide a retirement plan, make a separate entry on the property page of DivorceWriter's... more
Will my documents be completed or will I have to fill them out myself when I receive them?
For the most part, your DivorceWriter documents arrive completed with the information that... more
I encountered a security restriction error when trying to e-file a document notarized online.
Some customers receive the following error when attempting to e-file a document they had n... more
Will my divorce hearing be online?
In the states that require a hearing to finalize a divorce, most judges allow (and many re... more
Can I hand-write missing information on my documents or do they have to be typed?
As long as the form itself does not specifically state that it must be typed, you may hand... more
I didn't list any property or debts in the online interview. Why do some of my documents ask the court to divide property and debts?
Asking the Court for to divide property and debts fairly is standard language in the Divor... more
Does it matter which spouse files for divorce?
Generally speaking, both spouses should have the same rights in a divorce proceeding regar... more
How do I serve divorce papers on an uncooperative spouse?
When your spouse signs a waiver or acceptance of service, formal service isn't necessary. ... more
Can we get divorced while we still live together?
In most states, you can live together while going through a divorce. Find out about your s... more
How do I request a refund?
If your documents have not been sent to you via email or mail, you may request a full refu... more
I met with a lawyer and they said the court will reject my paperwork. What do I do?
Lawyers and online DIY divorce product providers compete for your business. You are a lawy... more
How do I make changes to my documents after I get them?
If you want to make changes to any of your documents after receiving them in the mail, you... more
Do we need to notify the court of any address changes during the divorce?
Any questions concerning the requirements for notifying the court about changes of address... more
Can I file for divorce during a bankruptcy or vice versa?
Thank you for your inquiry. A divorce combined with a bankruptcy can be complicated and de... more
Will this be all the paperwork I need?
Generally, yes. Your DivorceWriter package includes the state-specific divorce forms and f... more
Can I just notarize one copy of my document, and then make copies of the page with the original signature?
Yes. Since notaries charge a per document fee, you will save money by having one document ... more
What is DivorceWriter's contact information?
Inquiries of a non-legal nature may be directed to: Email: info@divorcewriter.com Address... more
Can I use DivorceWriter if there is an active protective order?
You have the right to file for divorce without an attorney even if one spouse has an order... more
Do I have to go to court to finalize my divorce?
Whether you have to go to court depends on the state where you file. Approximately half of... more
How do I serve a spouse that lives in a different state or country?
The process for serving a spouse that lives in another state or country depends on the sta... more
Do we include step-children in our divorce?
No. Only include children to whom both spouses are the legal parent. If you're filing for... more
How do I request my documents be printed?
To order printing and shipping, follow these steps: Log in at divorcewriter.com/login if n... more
I didn't ask the judge to change my last name when I got divorced. Is it too late?
Generally, if you did not change your name when you got divorced, you can file a request w... more
I need a form that is not available online or in the DivorceWriter's supplemental forms database. How can I find a sample form elsewhere?
Divorce documents are public record, so it is usually possible to obtain a copy of one or ... more
How do I get documents notarized during quarantine?
In many states, places that provided in-person notary services before the quarantine, like... more
Are the forms up-to-date?
The revision date shown in the footer of each form indicates the last time that particular... more
Can I create another divorce in my account?
Yes, you can purchase additional divorces from your Account Summary page. To create anoth... more
Does DivorceWriter provide notary services?
No. DivorceWriter does not provide notary services. To learn more about notarizing a docum... more
Can I file for divorce by mail?
Many courts allow divorce documents to be filed by mail. Generally, this is done by mailin... more
What's the difference between an Acknowledgement and a Jurat?
With an Acknowledgement, the notary is certifying that the signer appeared before the nota... more
Can I change my last name?
Either spouse can resume a former last name as part of a divorce. Top 5 Name Change Questi... more
Did you receive my order or payment?
If your divorce package purchase went through, your DivorceWriter account will reflect an ... more
Can I e-file my divorce papers?
Many courts allow divorce documents to be filed electronically, but e-filing availability ... more
I changed my mind after filing for divorce. How do I stop the divorce now?
If the divorce has not yet been granted, you can ask the court to dismiss your divorce cas... more
Who is the legal parent of the child?
Learn more about legal parentage issues.
We were married in a foreign country. Can we divorce in the U.S.?
As long as you meet the residency requirements for filing for divorce in the state where y... more
I didn't list any property or debts in the online interview. Why do some of my documents ask the court to divide our property and/or debts?
The Divorce Petitions/Divorce Complaints in most states contain language asking the Court ... more
STATE PROCEDURES
(Hint: To see more help topics select a state in Step 1 above)
Do any documents require notarization?
The filing instructions included with your DivorceWriter package will provide additional i... more
What are the signature requirements for the documents I will receive?
The state-specific filing procedures included in the DivorceWriter package indicate which ... more
What if my spouse and I don't live in the same state?
As long as one spouse meets the residency requirements for the state where the divorce wil... more
Do I have to divorce in the state where I was married?
No. You can divorce in any state where you or your spouse meet the divorce residency requi... more
Can the wife change her name back during the divorce?
Yes, the wife may restore her name to the name she had before the marriage took place. If ... more
Can my spouse have documents notarized in a different state?
Yes. If your spouse is unable to have documents notarized by a Notary Public in the state... more
Where can I find state-by-state information on how long it takes to get a divorce?
Depending on the state where you live, it can take as little as two weeks and as much as s... more
Does my income fall below the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines?
To qualify for a divorce filing fee waiver, some states require the person filing to have ... more
My documents ask for the "Cause Number" instead of a "Case Number." Is this correct?
Yes. In a number of U.S. states, the Courts use the term "Cause Number" instead of "Case ... more
How do I fix, or "amend" an error in a document I've already filed with the Court?
If there was an error on one or more of the documents that you have already filed with the... more
CUSTODY, VISITATION, SUPPORT
(Hint: To see more help topics select a state in Step 1 above)
What is the difference between child support and spousal support?
Spousal support is paid to one spouse by the other for the support and care of the receivi... more
We have agreed that one spouse will pay spousal support to the other. What are some options?
Two common ways for one spouse to receive spousal support payments from the other are (1) ... more
Can we specify how we will claim our child(ren) for income tax purposes?
The DivorceWriter online interview allows you to designate which spouse will claim your mi... more
We have received our documents, but have decided that we do not want any parenting time schedule. Is this possible?
The DivorceWriter online interview, which you completed previously, was designed to accomm... more
We have children. Can I still use DivorceWriter?
Yes, you can use DivorceWriter to create your divorce forms even if you have children. Th... more
Do I have to pay income tax on spousal support payments that I receive?
For federal income tax purposes, spousal support is commonly considered taxable income for... more
What if I'm unemployed?
If you are unemployed, any unemployment compensation you receive is considered income. If... more
What if my children live in another state and we already have a court order or informal arrangement concerning child support and child custody/parenting time?
If you want to have the court issue an order as part of the divorce concerning child suppo... more
What is the home state of the children under UCCJEA?
While you are entitled to file for divorce in any state where the residency requirements a... more
Do I include minor children if we don't have contact?
Yes. If both spouses are the parents to the minor child, they are included in the divorce.... more
What if neither spouse has custody of the child(ren)?
For mandatory sections like custody and parenting time, selections must be made to complet... more
Can we use DivorceWriter if one spouse is pregnant?
You can use DivorceWriter when a spouse is pregnant, although the forms will need to be se... more
PROPERTY AND DEBTS
(Hint: To see more help topics select a state in Step 1 above)
Do we have to list the debts we have agreed to divide?
About 30% of DivorceWriter customers list debts. The debts listed will appear on the sett... more
We want to transfer real estate into only one spouse's name. Do we need a Quit Claim Deed?
Generally, if you want to transfer jointly held real estate into the name of only one spou... more
Can we divide/list as many items of personal property as we want?
Choose to list all, some, or no property. The customer decides which property, if any, to ... more
Do I need to list the legal description of my real estate?
It is generally sufficient to just list the physical address of the property (street, city... more
What is the "legal description" of a piece of real estate?
The legal description is usually a one to two paragraph description of land that includes ... more
Why do my DivorceWriter documents say that we do not have life insurance or other property that we actually do have?
Some states require divorcing spouses to provide information on several different types of... more
When can I record the quit claim deed my spouse signed?
One spouse may choose to sign a quit claim deed transferring his or her interest in the ma... more
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
(Hint: To see more help topics select a state in Step 1 above)
I received my DivorceWriter package today, but I'm not sure I want to file for divorce right away. How how long are these papers good for?
Unsigned divorce documents do not have an expiration date per se. Applicable time periods... more
I can't find my spouse. Can I still use DivorceWriter?
DivorceWriter is designed for couples who have reached an agreement on all issues and who ... more
I am not sure my marriage was legal. Do I even need a divorce?
DivorceWriter is for people who want to end their marriages. If you have any questions reg... more
What if I have an out of state driver's license or no license at all?
If the spouse who files for divorce does not have a valid in-state driver's license, it ma... more
My spouse is incarcerated. Can I use DivorceWriter?
Yes, as long as your spouse is capable of receiving documents and signing them in front of... more
How do we get documents notarized in a foreign country?
The meaning of the term "notary" varies widely from country to country. To find a Notary ... more
Can I use divorce forms even though they contain gender-specific terms?
One thing that has lagged behind following the legalization of same-sex marriage nationwid... more
My spouse is currently incarcerated. What address do I use?
You may use the address at the facility where your spouse is currently incarcerated. Divo... more
Where can an active-duty servicemember file for divorce?
A divorce can be filed in the state where either spouse meets the state residency requirem... more
How do I end a civil union or domestic partnership?
When recognized in the state, civil unions and/or domestic partnerships can be entered int... more
Which states allow same-sex divorce?
On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling legalizing same-sex marriage nati... more
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