Understanding the Divorce Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Divorce isn’t just a breakup it’s a legal process that affects your finances, family, and future. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, you’re not alone. Many people start the divorce journey without a clear roadmap, which can lead to costly mistakes, delays, and unnecessary stress.

At The Do’s and Don’ts of Divorce, we believe that knowledge is power. Here’s a straightforward, step-by-step guide to help you understand what to expect and how to prepare when going through a divorce.

🧭 Step 1: Get Educated Before You Act

Before you file anything, take time to understand your options. Do you need a lawyer? Is mediation or collaborative divorce a better fit? Do you know your legal rights and financial situation?

🎓 Our membership gives you access to video lessons from a divorce mediator, financial expert, and life coach to help you make smart first moves.

📝 Step 2: File the Divorce Petition

One spouse must file a divorce petition with the court. This officially starts the legal process. Depending on your state, you may need to meet residency requirements or state specific grounds for divorce (such as irreconcilable differences or fault-based reasons).

📬 Step 3: Serve the Papers

The other spouse (the “respondent”) must be legally notified—this is called being “served.” Once served, they’ll have a deadline to file a response. How this is done can affect the tone of the entire divorce, so it's important to choose the method carefully.

💡 We explain how to do this respectfully and strategically in our guided video library.

🤝 Step 4: Temporary Orders (If Needed)

If there are urgent issues—like child custody, financial support, or use of the home—either party can request temporary court orders. These remain in place until the final divorce judgment.

⚖️ Temporary doesn’t mean optional—make sure you understand how these orders can impact your long-term outcome.

🔍 Step 5: Financial Disclosures and Discovery

Both parties must exchange financial information. This includes assets, debts, income, expenses, and more. In higher-conflict cases, this phase may involve formal discovery (like depositions or subpoenas).

📊 Our Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) explains how to gather, organize, and protect your financial data.

🗂️ Step 6: Negotiation, Mediation, or Litigation

This is where you and your spouse work toward a settlement ideally outside of court. You can do this informally, with the help of a mediator, or through your attorneys.

🤝 Our expert mediator walks you through how to prepare for divorce negotiations—and avoid common traps.

If no agreement is reached, your case may go to trial.

📃 Step 7: Draft and Sign the Settlement Agreement

Once an agreement is reached, it must be put in writing and approved by the court. This agreement will cover everything: asset division, parenting plans, child support, alimony, and more.

🧑‍⚖️ Step 8: Final Judgment and Divorce Decree

Once the court reviews and approves your agreement or issues a ruling after trial the judge will issue a final divorce decree. At this point, you are legally divorced.

🎯 Step 9: Post-Divorce Follow-Up

There’s still work to do after your divorce is finalized:

• Update legal documents and beneficiaries

• Retitle assets (homes, vehicles, accounts)

• Adjust your budget and financial plans

• Navigate co-parenting or healing emotionally

🧠 Our course includes post-divorce checklists, recovery tools, and coaching support to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Ready to Make This Process Easier?

Divorce doesn’t have to be a disaster. For just $47/month, our Do’s and Don’ts of Divorce membership gives you:

• Dozens of expert-led video lessons

• Weekly group coaching

• Emotional and financial planning tools

• Step-by-step guidance through each phase of the process

Start smart. Stay supported. Finish stronger.
👉 Join our community now