Free Divorce Documents

Virtually all State Bar Associations publish a Family Law Manual designed for use by attorneys. These manuals contain a vast array of pleadings and discovery documents which are deemed to be in compliance with current state law. For individuals who file pro se, that is, file without an attorney, acquiring free divorce documents which conform to court rules is more problematic. Form books may be woefully out-of-date and create a high risk of noncompliance for anyone who dares to use them. Software is a much better choice because of the ease of updates.

Note when filing:

The availability of the dissolution of marriage, property distributions, and child support requirements are unique to each state because of variations in divorce decisions rendered by courts. As new cases are decided, new precedents establish variations in application. For this reason, everyone considering filing should consult local legal counsel. Best results are obtained through careful planning with legal counsel before committing to any course of action. Also be aware that filing creates a permanent public record. These records are rarely withdrawn, expunged or deleted absent extraordinary circumstances. Public records are available to anyone who inquires for a nominal fee.

A primary consideration driving the development of new laws revolves around children of the marriage. Children are typically not represented by attorneys in proceedings, yet are considered, as a matter of judicial and public policy, to have an overriding interest in the outcome. The needs of children financially, socially, parentally and educationally are considered the joint responsibility of parents. Courts are charged with responsibility to protect all interests of children in family court despite agreed requests of parents which may be inconsistent.