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How how to file for divorceworks across all 51 U.S. jurisdictions — the framework, the major differences, and links to the full state-specific guide.
Jurisdictions
51
50 states + DC
Community Property
9
AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI
Equitable Distribution
42
Everywhere else
Click any state to open the full guide with sections, FAQs, and statute references.
| State | Summary | Guide |
|---|---|---|
CACalifornia | To file for divorce in California, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months state, 3 months county), prepare and file a petition with the Superior Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
TXTexas | To file for divorce in Texas, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months state, 90 days county), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
FLFlorida | To file for divorce in Florida, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
NYNew York | To file for divorce in New York, you must meet the state's residency requirements (1 year (or 2 years if grounds arose in state)), prepare and file a petition with the Supreme Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
ILIllinois | To file for divorce in Illinois, you must meet the state's residency requirements (90 days), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
PAPennsylvania | To file for divorce in Pennsylvania, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the Court of Common Pleas, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
OHOhio | To file for divorce in Ohio, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months state, 90 days county), prepare and file a petition with the Court of Common Pleas, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
GAGeorgia | To file for divorce in Georgia, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the Superior Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
NCNorth Carolina | To file for divorce in North Carolina, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
MIMichigan | To file for divorce in Michigan, you must meet the state's residency requirements (180 days state, 10 days county), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
ALAlabama | To file for divorce in Alabama, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
AKAlaska | To file for divorce in Alaska, you must meet the state's residency requirements (30 days (no minimum residency for filing)), prepare and file a petition with the Superior Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
AZArizona | To file for divorce in Arizona, you must meet the state's residency requirements (90 days), prepare and file a petition with the Superior Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
ARArkansas | To file for divorce in Arkansas, you must meet the state's residency requirements (60 days), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
COColorado | To file for divorce in Colorado, you must meet the state's residency requirements (90 days), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
CTConnecticut | To file for divorce in Connecticut, you must meet the state's residency requirements (12 months (or 18 months if married out of state)), prepare and file a petition with the Superior Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
DEDelaware | To file for divorce in Delaware, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the Family Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
DCDistrict of Columbia | To file for divorce in District of Columbia, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the Superior Court, Family Division, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
HIHawaii | To file for divorce in Hawaii, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the Family Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
IDIdaho | To file for divorce in Idaho, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 weeks), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
INIndiana | To file for divorce in Indiana, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court or Superior Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
IAIowa | To file for divorce in Iowa, you must meet the state's residency requirements (1 year (or filing state if either party resides there)), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
KSKansas | To file for divorce in Kansas, you must meet the state's residency requirements (60 days), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
KYKentucky | To file for divorce in Kentucky, you must meet the state's residency requirements (180 days), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court, Family Division, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
LALouisiana | To file for divorce in Louisiana, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months (parish where petition filed)), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
MEMaine | To file for divorce in Maine, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
MDMaryland | To file for divorce in Maryland, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months (or 12 months if grounds arose out of state)), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
MAMassachusetts | To file for divorce in Massachusetts, you must meet the state's residency requirements (1 year (or if cause arose in state)), prepare and file a petition with the Probate and Family Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
MNMinnesota | To file for divorce in Minnesota, you must meet the state's residency requirements (180 days), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
MSMississippi | To file for divorce in Mississippi, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the Chancery Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
MOMissouri | To file for divorce in Missouri, you must meet the state's residency requirements (90 days), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
MTMontana | To file for divorce in Montana, you must meet the state's residency requirements (90 days), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
NENebraska | To file for divorce in Nebraska, you must meet the state's residency requirements (1 year (or 12 months if married in state)), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
NVNevada | To file for divorce in Nevada, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 weeks), prepare and file a petition with the Family Court (Clark County) or District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
NHNew Hampshire | To file for divorce in New Hampshire, you must meet the state's residency requirements (1 year (or if both parties live in state at filing)), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court, Family Division, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
NJNew Jersey | To file for divorce in New Jersey, you must meet the state's residency requirements (12 months), prepare and file a petition with the Superior Court, Family Part, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
NMNew Mexico | To file for divorce in New Mexico, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
NDNorth Dakota | To file for divorce in North Dakota, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
OKOklahoma | To file for divorce in Oklahoma, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
OROregon | To file for divorce in Oregon, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months (or married in Oregon and lived there until filing)), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
RIRhode Island | To file for divorce in Rhode Island, you must meet the state's residency requirements (1 year), prepare and file a petition with the Family Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
SCSouth Carolina | To file for divorce in South Carolina, you must meet the state's residency requirements (3 months (or 1 year if only one party resides in state)), prepare and file a petition with the Family Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
SDSouth Dakota | To file for divorce in South Dakota, you must meet the state's residency requirements (filing state (no minimum period)), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
TNTennessee | To file for divorce in Tennessee, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months (or if grounds arose in state)), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court or Chancery Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
UTUtah | To file for divorce in Utah, you must meet the state's residency requirements (90 days), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
VTVermont | To file for divorce in Vermont, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the Superior Court, Family Division, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
VAVirginia | To file for divorce in Virginia, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
WAWashington | To file for divorce in Washington, you must meet the state's residency requirements (filing state (petitioner must be resident)), prepare and file a petition with the Superior Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
WVWest Virginia | To file for divorce in West Virginia, you must meet the state's residency requirements (1 year (or if married and living in state when cause arose)), prepare and file a petition with the Family Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
WIWisconsin | To file for divorce in Wisconsin, you must meet the state's residency requirements (6 months state, 30 days county), prepare and file a petition with the Circuit Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
WYWyoming | To file for divorce in Wyoming, you must meet the state's residency requirements (60 days), prepare and file a petition with the District Court, serve your spouse, and wait for the mandatory processing period. | View |
This comparison is general legal information, not legal advice. State laws change, and courts interpret them differently. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed family law attorney in the relevant jurisdiction. DIVORSAY is a technology company, not a law firm.
Compare other aspects of divorce law across all 51 states
Every state has its own hub covering all 15 topics