Divorce Yourself Table of Contents
PREFACE 9
INTRODUCTION 11
Note to Computer Users 12
CHAPTER 1: Understanding Divorce Law 13
What Is No-fault Divorce? 13
The Division of Marital Property 14
Alimony and Maintenance 15
Child Custody 15
Child Support 16
Divorce in General 17
Divorce by Agreement 18
Can You Do Your Own Divorce? 19
How to Use This Book 21
Mediation 22
General Notes Concerning Terminology 23
CHAPTER 2: Preliminary Matters 24
Preliminary Matters 24
Preliminary Questionnaire 27
Document Checklist 29
Where Can You File For Divorce 30
What Will Be the Grounds for Your Divorce? 31
Tax Consequences of Divorce 33
Property Transfers 33
Alimony 34
Child Support and Custody 35
Marital Settlement Agreement Instructions 36
Sample Marital Settlement Agreement 40
CHAPTER 3: Property Division 49
Property Questionnaire 50
The Law of Marital Property Division 68
Community Property States 69
Separate Property 69
Community Property 70
Equitable Distribution States 71
Factors for Consideration in Property Divisions 73
Considerations Regarding Specific Property 76
The Family Home 76
Retirement and Pension Plans 78
Stock-option or Profit-sharing Plans 79
Social Security Benefits 79
Military and Federal Pensions and Benefits 80
Cars and Other Vehicles 80
Educational Degrees 80
Property Division Worksheet Instructions 81
Property Division Worksheet 84
Property and Bills Division Marital Settlement Agreement Clauses 88
Financial Statement Instructions 89
Financial Statement 91
CHAPTER 4: Alimony, Maintenance, and Spousal Support 95
Alimony Questionnaire Instructions 95
Alimony Questionnaire 96
The Law of Alimony 99
Factors for Consideration 100
Alimony Marital Settlement Agreement Clauses 102
CHAPTER 5: Child Custody and Visitation 105
Child Custody Questionnaire Instructions 105
Child Custody Questionnaire 106
The Law of Child Custody and Visitation 115
Types of Custody Arrangements 116
Visitation 118
Modification of Custody and Visitation Terms 119
Factors for Consideration 120
The Child’s Bill of Rights 122
Child Custody Jurisdiction 122
Custody and Visitation Worksheet Instructions 123
Custody and Visitation Worksheet 124
Child Custody and Visitation Marital Settlement Agreement Clauses 126
CHAPTER 6: Child Support 131
The Law of Child Support 131
Factors for Consideration 133
Enforcement and Modification of Child Support 134
General Child Support Guidelines 135
Child Support Worksheet and Child Support Guidelines Instructions 135
Child Support Worksheet 138
Child Support Guideline Chart 140
Child Support Marital Settlement Agreement Clauses 142
CHAPTER 7: Marital Settlement Agreement 145
Marital Settlement Agreement Form 146
CHAPTER 8: Completing Your Marital Settlement Agreement 155
Preparing Your Marital Settlement Agreement 155
After Signing Your Marital Settlement Agreement 157
CHAPTER 9: Preparing Your Divorce Papers 158
Steps in the Divorce Process 158
General Considerations 159
The Necessary Documents 161
The Petition or Complaint 164
The Petition or Complaint Form 166
Appearance, Consent, and Waiver 170
Appearance, Consent, and Waiver Form 171
Child Custody Jurisdiction 173
Child Custody Jurisdiction Form 174
Final Judgement or Decree 177
Final Judgement or Decree Form 178
Certificate of Divorce or Dissolution of Marriage 180
Sample Certificate of Divorce or Dissolution of Marriage 181
Instructions for Signing and Filing the Documents 182
CHAPTER 10: Sample Divorce Forms 185
Petition for Divorce 186
Appearance, Consent, and Waiver 189
Declaration Under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act 191
Final Judgement of Divorce 194
CHAPTER 11: Appearing In Court 196
General Court Appearance Rules 196
Guide to Court Testimony 199
Testimony Worksheet 200
CHAPTER 12: After Your Divorce 205
Final Divorce Checklist 206
Post-Divorce Legal Problems 208
Enforcement of Child Support 209
Enforcement of Alimony 210
Enforcement of Custody and Visitation 211
Domestic Violence 211
Modification of Support and Custody Provisions 212
APPENDIX: Divorce Laws of all 50 States and Washington DC 214
GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS 327
INDEX 330
