Pro Se Divorce Litigation, Filing An Original Petition For Divorce

To begin the pro se or "do it yourself," divorce process a document called Original Petition for Divorce is filed with your local court clerk and legally begins the process of divorce. In some states, this is referred to as a “Letter of Complaint.” Both documents are requests that the court grant a divorce and list any relief the party filing for divorce feels they are due. The original petition or letter of complaint will identify the parties to the divorce and any children they may have. The party filing for divorce will have to state a reason as part of the petition or letter. In most states, this will be “irreconcilable differences” or “incompatibility” based on new no-fault divorce laws. Learning your state’s divorce laws will help familiarize you with the grounds allowed in your state. The person filing for the divorce will be named the “petitioner” by the courts while the other party to the divorce is referred to as the “respondent” or, in some states, the “defendant.”