Family Cases
Family Cases

Divorce and Separation

These standard instructions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice about your case. If you choose to represent yourself, you are bound by the same rules and procedures as an attorney.

Legal Separation to a Divorce

You must wait at least 182 days from the date your legal separation was finalized by the court (when the Decree of Legal Separation was entered) before you can file paperwork to change the legal separation to a divorce.

Where to File

  • You should file your paperwork with the same court that finalized your legal separation.
  • For a copy of your divorce paperwork, contact the court that finalized your divorce.

Guide and Forms 

 

Guide

  • JDF 1325 - Guide to Convert a Legal Separation to a Divorce

 

Forms

  • JDF 1321 - Motion
    • Note: Your spouse does not need to sign the form, but can do so if there is an agreement.
  • JDF 1322 - Order
    • Just complete the Case Caption (boxes at top of 1st page)
  • JDF 1019 - Decree
    • Just complete the Case Caption (boxes at top of 1st page)
  • JDF 1315 - General Response
    • Needed if only by the responding spouse if they didn't sign the Motion.

 

Additional Resources