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What to Generally Expect in the Divorce Process

One of the spouses has a document written up (a petition) saying they want a divorce

The petition is filed in the appropriate court

The other spouse (the respondent) is served the petition and has a certain amount of time to give an answer (a response).

The parties exchange information about relevant issues such as finances and children. Some jurisdictions require that the couple try to settle their case through mediation.

If mediation works or the couple reaches an agreement on their own, they sign a document legally binding them to it.

The judge reviews the agreement. If it is approved, a divorce decree is issued.

Cases of couples who cannot reach an agreement end up being tried in front of a judge.

During the divorce trail, lawyers from both sides present their respective arguments.

The judge listens and decides how to resolve outstanding issues such as the division of property and child custody issues.

A divorce decree is issued detailing the judge’s decision.

The parties have the right to appeal the decision once the divorce decree has been issued.

Total time: a couple of months to several years

5 Types of Co-parenting Relationships After Divorce From Family Development Specialist, Mary K Lawler, RN, PhD

Perfect Pals:
Remain close friends.
Share custody of the children and child-rearing responsibilities.
Solve problems together.
Engage in minimal conflict with each other.
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Cooperative Colleagues:
Manage to have a friendly relationship, but are not close friends.
Are child-focused with shared- or primary-parent custody.
Are able to separate marital and parental roles.
May have personal conflicts but are likely to use mediation or therapy to solve problems.
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Angry Associates:
Manage a working relationship.
Are child-focused.
Are unable to separate marital and parental roles.
Argue over issues that quickly lead to unresolved marital fights.
Frequently engage in power struggles over custody and finances.
Have children who are usually caught in loyalty conflicts.
Have children who don’t maintain relationships with extended family members.
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Fiery Foes:
Exhibit frequent hostility toward one another.
View each other as a mortal enemy.
Lack co-parenting skills.
Remain very emotionally attached to one another but deny it.
Have children who are usually caught in loyalty conflict.
Have children who don’t maintain relationships with extended family members.
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Dissolved Duos:
Have no further contact with one another.
Have one parent who assumes total responsibility for the children.
Are the only true “single parent” form.

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